Chicago, IL · Cook County
Excavation Certification (Form 402)
Property owners or their agents and registered design professionals complete this certification for qualifying excavation or foundation demolition work covered by a Chicago permit application.
What this form is
This form certifies property-owner notice to adjacent property owners and a registered design professional’s assessment of whether reinforcement or bracing is needed. Chicago requires it with a building or demolition permit application for specified excavation near buildings or the public way, deep excavation, or demolition of a below-grade structure. It requests project details, notice dates, signatures, professional credentials, and supporting notice records.
Who needs it
Property owners or their agents and an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer complete and sign it for qualifying excavation or below-grade demolition work.
How to submit it
File the completed form with the building permit or demolition permit application. The form is available as a fillable PDF at www.chicago.gov/permit.
About notarization
This document is signed and dated without a notary; if notice was personally delivered, attach the delivery affidavit and notice, with no notarization stated.
How to submit this form
- 1
Download The Form
Get the fillable Excavation Certification PDF at www.chicago.gov/permit.
- 2
Complete The Project Details
Enter the project address and permit application number, then complete the required owner or agent and design professional sections.
- 3
Gather Notice Records
Provide the adjacent-property notice and proof of mailing, or the affidavit of personal delivery and a copy of the notice.
- 4
Sign And File With The Permit Application
Have the property owner or agent and registered design professional sign and date the form, then file it with the building or demolition permit application.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the Excavation Certification required?
- Chicago requires it with a building or demolition permit application for specified deep excavation near buildings or the public way, excavation deeper than 10 feet, or demolition of a below-grade structure.
- Do I need a notary for the Excavation Certification?
- No. This form is signed and dated without a notary. If notice was personally delivered, attach the delivery affidavit and notice; the form does not state that they must be notarized.
- How do I submit the Excavation Certification?
- File the completed form with the building permit or demolition permit application. The fillable PDF is available at www.chicago.gov/permit.
- What attachments are required?
- Attach a copy of the notice to adjacent property owners and proof of mailing or affidavits of personal delivery. The form says these records must also be kept at the job site.
Need something notarized?
This Excavation Certification (Form 402) doesn’t need a notary — but Illinois residents can notarize other documents online with a commissioned online notary.