Bellwood CHAPTER 124: LICENSING OF MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS AND SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNITS FOR RENT § 124.21
MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR BASIC EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
Operative Text
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any multiple-family building, single-family dwelling unit for rent, or dwelling unit for the purpose of living, sleeping, cooking or eating therein, which does not comply with the following requirements, as applicable. (A) Every dwelling unit shall have a room or portion of a room in which food may be prepared and/or cooked, which shall have adequate circulation area, and which shall be equipped with the following: (1) A kitchen sink in good working condition and properly connected to a water supply system which is approved by the Comptroller and which provides at all times an adequate amount of heated and unheated running water under pressure, and which is connected to a sewer system approved by the Comptroller. (2) Cabinets and/or shelves for the storage of eating, drinking, and cooking equipment and utensils and of food that does not under ordinary summer conditions require refrigeration for safe keeping; and a counter or table for food preparation; said cabinets and/or shelves and counter or table shall be adequate for the permissible occupancy of the dwelling unit and shall be of sound construction furnished with surfaces that are easily cleanable and that will not impart any toxic or deleterious effect to food. (3) A stove, or similar device, for cooking food, and a refrigerator, or similar device, for the safe storage of food at temperatures less than 40 F but more than 32 F under ordinary maximum summer conditions, which are properly installed with all necessary connections for safe, sanitary and efficient operations; provided that such stove, refrigerator, and/or similar devices need not be installed when a dwelling unit is not occupied and when the occupant is expected to provide same on occupancy, and that sufficient space and adequate connections for the safe and efficient installation and operation of said stove, refrigerator and/or similar devices are provided. (B) Every dwelling unit shall have a room with a single flush water closet, a single lavatory basin and a single bathtub or shower. Such water closet, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower shall be in good working condition and properly connected to a water sewer system which connection shall conform to all water and sewer provisions of this code. (C) Every dwelling unit shall be supplied with rubbish and garbage disposal facilities which must conform with the garbage and refuse sections of this code. (D) Access to or egress from each dwelling unit shall be provided without passing through any other multiple-family building or dwelling unit. (E) No person shall let to another for occupancy any multiple-family building, single-family dwelling unit for rent, or dwelling unit unless each is a equipped with smoke detectors that comply with the regulations of this municipal code and the statutes of the State of Illinois all exterior doors of the dwelling or dwelling unit are equipped with safe, functioning locking devices. (F) Storage areas provided for occupants of multiple-family buildings shall be constructed so as to afford security against unauthorized entry. (Ord. 03-43, passed 8-20-03; Am. Ord. 03-59, passed 11-12-03)
Bellwood § 124.21 establishes the minimum physical standards that any dwelling unit offered for rent or owner-occupancy must meet before anyone may legally live there. These requirements cover functional kitchen facilities (including a sink, food storage, and cooking and refrigeration equipment), a complete bathroom with toilet, basin, and tub or shower, garbage disposal access, independent entry and exit without passing through another unit, working smoke detectors, locking exterior doors, and secure storage areas in multi-family buildings. The rule applies to both landlords renting to others and owner-occupants, and no unit may be occupied unless all applicable conditions are satisfied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Bellwood § 124.21, compliant operators generally ensure that every rental unit is equipped with a properly connected kitchen sink, adequate food storage and preparation surfaces, and either installed appliances or sufficient space and connections for tenant-supplied stoves and refrigerators before occupancy begins. Landlords also maintain bathrooms in good working order, arrange for proper garbage disposal access, and verify that each unit has its own independent entry and exit path. Additionally, operators confirm that all exterior doors have functioning locks and that smoke detectors meeting Illinois state and Bellwood municipal standards are installed, and that any shared storage areas in multi-family buildings are secured against unauthorized entry.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Bellwood § 124.21 gives tenants the right to occupy a unit that meets baseline standards for kitchen equipment, bathroom facilities, garbage disposal, independent access, smoke detectors, locking doors, and secure storage. If a unit lacks any of these required features, that deficiency may be relevant to housing complaints filed with Bellwood's local code enforcement or licensing authority, which oversees compliance with Chapter 124. Tenants who believe their unit falls short of § 124.21's requirements may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization to understand the range of options available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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