Chicago Heights — Ch. 22 Housing, Dangerous Buildings and Structures § 22-20
Modifications
Operative Text
The building official, with the ratification of the city council, shall have the authority to modify any of the provisions of the housing/property maintenance code upon application in writing by the owner or lessee or his duly authorized agent when there are practical difficulties in compliance with the provisions of the Code; providing, however, that the spirit of the Code shall be observed, public safety secured and substantial justice done. The particulars of any such modifications when granted or allowed and the decision of the building official thereon shall be entered upon the records of the building department. A signed copy of the modification shall be furnished to the applicant.
Chicago Heights § 22-20 establishes a formal process by which the building official, with city council ratification, may grant modifications to the housing and property maintenance code when strict compliance presents practical difficulties. Any modification must still uphold the code's underlying intent, protect public safety, and achieve substantial justice. All granted modifications are recorded by the building department, and the applicant receives a signed copy of the decision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 22-20, property owners or lessees who face genuine practical difficulties meeting a specific code requirement may submit a written application to the building official requesting a modification. Compliant operators typically document the nature of the difficulty, demonstrate how the proposed alternative still satisfies the code's spirit and public safety goals, and retain the signed modification copy for their records once city council ratification is obtained. Keeping that signed copy on file helps demonstrate that any deviation from standard code requirements was officially sanctioned.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 22-20 means that a landlord's property may be operating under an officially approved modification to the standard housing code, which is a matter of public record at the building department. Tenants who have questions about whether a property's conditions reflect a legitimate code modification can request to review the building department's records, where all granted modifications must be entered. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how an approved modification under § 22-20 may affect housing condition complaints or other enforcement options.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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