Bellwood CHAPTER 124: LICENSING OF MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS AND SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNITS FOR RENT § 124.33
ENFORCEMENT COSTS
Operative Text
(A) If any court of competent jurisdiction finds that any licensee has violated any provision(s) of this chapter, such court shall award to the village all of the village's costs related to the enforcement of this chapter including, but not limited to, court costs, attorneys' fees, building inspector costs and administrative costs. (B) In the event any court fails or refuses to award the village all of the costs as provided for hereinabove, such unpaid costs shall constitute an additional license fee which shall be due and payable prior to the renewal of any operating license for the multiple-family building in question. Such additional operating license fee shall be in addition to the license fee otherwise required by the provisions of § 124.06 of this chapter. No operating license shall be renewed until such time as all costs provided for by this section have been paid. (Ord. 03-43, passed 8-20-03; Am. Ord. 03-59, passed 11-12-03)
Bellwood § 124.33 establishes a cost-recovery mechanism tied to licensing violations in multi-family and single-family rental properties. When a court finds that a licensee has violated Chapter 124, the village is entitled to recover all enforcement-related expenses—including court costs, attorney fees, building inspector costs, and administrative costs. If a court does not award the full amount, any unpaid costs are converted into an additional license fee that must be paid before the property's operating license can be renewed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Bellwood § 124.33, operators of licensed rental properties who are found by a court to have violated Chapter 124 become responsible for the village's full enforcement costs, which can include legal fees, inspection costs, and administrative expenses. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties in accordance with all Chapter 124 requirements to avoid triggering this cost-recovery provision. It is also worth noting that any unpaid enforcement costs can block operating license renewal, making timely resolution of any outstanding obligations a standard part of license management.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Bellwood § 124.33 is primarily a village enforcement tool, but it has indirect relevance to tenants living in licensed rental properties. Because unpaid enforcement costs can prevent a landlord from renewing an operating license, this provision creates a financial incentive for licensees to remain in compliance with Chapter 124's requirements. Tenants who believe their landlord is violating Chapter 124 may wish to contact the Village of Bellwood directly or consult a tenant-rights organization to understand what complaint or reporting options may be available.
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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