CHICAGO CABLE: PERMITS & REEL MARKINGS
A Chicago construction overrun may be temporary power wire, permanent building cable or an unused infrastructure reel. Those are different inventories. City permit and street-lighting sources can help establish the project's history and describe a particular cable accurately; they do not show that a local buyer or City department will purchase it.
SEND LOT DETAILSDOCUMENT THE LOT BEFORE OFFERING IT
These sources apply to the specific projects or property described—not every cable reel in Chicago. Keep an accurate record of what you actually own.
Was the electrical work temporary or permanent?
Chicago's Building Permits dataset defines its Electrical Wiring permit category as major and minor electrical work, both permanent and temporary, and lists project work descriptions and contractor information. A permit record describes permitted activity at a property; it does not prove the origin or ownership of a loose reel. The dataset can still help a seller locate the correct project file and separate temporary-construction stock from unused permanent-installation material.
For a seller: If the seller knows the Chicago project, write down its permit number, work description, address and contractor, then match that record to the inventory custodian's own paperwork. Describe the cable as unused excess, previously installed or temporary-work material based on records and condition—not on a permit category alone.
Source: City of Chicago, Building Permits dataset definitions
Does the closeout paperwork cover this lot?
Chicago's Department of Buildings says general contractors schedule permit-related inspections as work progresses. It also describes when a Certificate of Occupancy is required, including projects with four or more dwelling units and certain larger nonresidential or institutional work. An inspection of installed wiring does not automatically test spare reels left in a contractor's storage area.
For a seller: Ask for the owner or contractor's final inventory release and any relevant closeout or inspection reference. Record whether the offered cable ever entered the installed system; keep project approval separate from product listing and reel-specific test results. Do not call a cable 'code approved' because its associated building passed an inspection.
Source: City of Chicago, Permit-Related Building Inspections
Does a medium-voltage reel match its own marking?
The City's street-lighting wire and cable procurement specification includes a 15-kV single-conductor copper MV-105 underground circuit example with EPR insulation, a copper tape shield and PVC jacket, and names particular AWG sizes. This is a specification for the City's defined work, not proof that any Chicago reel is street-lighting inventory or accepted for reuse. A label that only says 'copper cable' misses the voltage and shield construction that distinguish this material.
For a seller: For a claimed street-lighting or medium-voltage overrun, photograph the entire reel label and jacket print; record gauge, conductor metal, insulation, shield, jacket, reel length and visible repairs or damaged ends. Have a qualified party evaluate suitability for any future installation; do not claim City approval or certification from a visual match alone.
Source: City of Chicago, Electric Street Lighting Wire and Cable Specification 112136
CHICAGO LOT CHECKLIST
- Separate temporary-work wire, unused building stock and infrastructure reels in the lot description.
- Match the project/permit reference and ownership release to the actual inventory, not just the property address.
- For medium-voltage material, capture conductor size, 15-kV rating if marked, insulation, shielding and jacket details.
- Describe condition and any test/inspection paperwork honestly; do not imply that a City's project acceptance certifies this resale lot.
We do not claim a local office, a relationship with the cited agencies, a purchase commitment or guaranteed pickup. Buying and freight terms require a review of the actual lot. Public project documents do not prove that a specific reel is compliant or available for sale.
Related technical reference: read the cable specification guide .