Cook County, Illinois
Find what your
punch list missed.
Send us photos and your tracking list. Get a written findings report within 24 hours* — before your inspector or auditor does.
— any industry with field inspections in Cook County.
$250, one time · Nothing new, no charge · You keep the report either way
*Depending on availability. We'll confirm turnaround when you submit.
The Cook County Inspection Readiness Report is a one-time $250 service with 24-hour turnaround. Submit your project photos and tracking list to get findings before the inspector visits. Cook County's unincorporated areas follow county-adopted codes that differ from both Chicago and surrounding municipalities, and inspectors focus on stormwater management, basement flood prevention, and proper separation between residential and industrial uses.
Code BuddyPrepared for Acme Mechanical Inc.
Location
Cook County, IL
Date
Aug 8, 2026
Trade
Electrical
Findings
Penetration seal not matching approved submittal — visible gap at fire-rated assembly
Checked against: Company SOP 4.2
Fastener pattern deviates from manufacturer data sheet — 6" OC required, measured at 9" OC
Checked against: Project Spec 08-31
Working clearance below required minimum at panel — 30" required, 22" measured
Checked against: Applicable Standard
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Trusted by teams at
Three steps. Five minutes.
Submit your job, and our patent-pending AI technology reviews every photo against your standards, specs, and existing tracking.
Tell us about the job.
Project name, address in Cook County, and primary trade or discipline. We look up the applicable standards and regulations automatically from the address.
Send your photos and open items.
Upload directly, share a Drive/Dropbox link, or email them over. Your existing tracking sets the bar — anything already on it doesn't count as a finding.
Our patent-pending technology and AI system analyze every photo.
Cross-references each image against your specs, the applicable standards, and your existing tracking — helping identify deviations your list may have missed.
Get your report within 24 hours*.
Each finding includes the photo, the exact location, and the code section or spec it deviates from. Sorted by severity so you know what to fix first.
Built by Code Buddy.
Code Buddy is an AI-powered compliance platform used by thousands of field professionals across construction, energy, manufacturing, and fleet operations. Our patent-pending technology checks job site photos against codes, specs, and standards — the same technology that powers this report.
Built for the people who actually do the work.
Industries supported
Report turnaround
If nothing new identified
The kind of things we help catch.
Examples based on past reports. Each finding includes the photo, location, and the reference it was checked against.
Overhead sanitary sewer line in basement runs without required cleanout access fitting within 5 feet of the building drain connection
Basement wall steel reinforcement visible at window buck shows horizontal rebar spacing at 24 inches instead of required 16 inches on center
Subpanel in detached garage fed with 3-wire feeder instead of required 4-wire with separate neutral and ground conductors
Furnace flue pipe single-wall connector passes within 4 inches of combustible framing, below required 6-inch minimum clearance
Egress window in finished basement bedroom measures 4.8 square feet net clear opening instead of required 5.7 square feet minimum
Dryer exhaust duct exceeds 25-foot equivalent length with no booster fan, creating lint accumulation and fire ignition risk
And only if we identify something that wasn't already on your list.
If everything identified was already on your list, you pay nothing. You keep the report either way.
GET STARTEDLimited spots each week.
Every report is reviewed by a QA professional before delivery — not just generated and sent. That human review step means we can only take a limited number of jobs per week. Submissions are reviewed in the order they're received, and we'll let you know upfront if your report will take longer than 24 hours.
Before you ask.
How do Cook County codes differ from Chicago codes?
Cook County unincorporated areas adopt the International Building Code family, unlike Chicago which uses its own municipal code. This means standard wiring methods like Romex are permitted in the county, and ICC-based insulation and energy standards apply.
What stormwater requirements do Cook County inspectors check?
Cook County enforces the Watershed Management Ordinance requiring stormwater detention for projects disturbing more than 25,000 square feet. Inspectors verify detention basin sizing, release rates, and overflow routing on applicable projects.
How do I get my Cook County readiness report?
Upload project photos and your inspection tracking list through the platform. The report costs $250 one-time and arrives within 24 hours. It identifies items a Cook County inspector would likely flag during the visit.
Are basement construction issues common in Cook County inspections?
Yes. Cook County's clay-heavy soils and high water table create frequent basement issues. Inspectors check wall reinforcement spacing, waterproofing membrane installation, sump pit sizing, and egress window dimensions carefully in below-grade construction.
Does Cook County require separate permits from municipal permits?
In unincorporated areas, Cook County is the authority having jurisdiction. Incorporated cities handle their own permits. If your project is in an unincorporated area, only the county permit applies. The report is tailored to whichever jurisdiction applies.