Depending on what you do, the time required varies. You can often be your general contractor if you are the owner-occupant of a single-family home or a residential building with six dwelling units or less. Then, you must fill out the Certification of Responsibility portion of the permit application if you are performing carpentry or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) work. As a result, you certify that you will comply with the Chicago Building Code and the other requirements of the Chicago Municipal Code and fix any deficiencies. A licensed contractor is required for any masonry, plumbing, or electrical work. For owner-occupants of single-family homes, an exception is made. If they complete and notarize the Certification of Responsibility section of the construction permit application, they can claim responsibility for plumbing and masonry work.The Department of Buildings must inspect a property's building code violations or stop-work orders before a permit application can be considered. You must take care of any outstanding issues before you apply for a permit or address them in your application for a permit.