Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-226
Zone of nonoperation (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
(1) Zone of nonoperation . No person shall grind or compact, or load into a mobile or stationary grinding or compacting device, garbage, wastes, refuse or other matter (within the meaning of Section 4-6-130 , of this chapter), without a special permit, between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., Mondays through Fridays, and between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, on any street, alley, public way or on public or private property within the boundaries of the City of Chicago, which: (A) is within the area bounded by Weed Street on the north, Halsted Street on the east, Blackhawk Street on the south and Dayton Street on the west, or (B) adjoins or is within 250 feet of any business or residential zoning classification as defined in the Chicago Zoning Ordinance; except that this section shall not apply to that area bounded by the Chicago River on the north, Lake Michigan on the east, a line delineated by Ida B. Wells Drive extended and Ida B. Wells Drive on the south, the South Branch of the Chicago River on the west. Special permits to operate within the zone of nonoperation during the hours prohibited aforesaid, may be issued by the commissioner of streets and sanitation only after a showing, based on health, safety or public welfare that an extreme hardship exists. This section shall not apply to household appliances. (2) Any person found guilty of violating, disobeying, omitting, neglecting or refusing to comply with, or resisting or opposing the enforcement of, any of the provisions of this Section 7-28-226 , shall upon conviction thereof, be fined not less than $500.00 nor more than $1,000.00. (Added Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 157; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 143; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-12, p. 42395, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-20-19, p. 9510, Art. I, § 4)
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-226 establishes a "zone of nonoperation" that restricts when and where garbage grinding or compacting equipment may be used within Chicago. During late-night and early-morning hours—generally after 9:30 p.m. and before 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, and before 9:00 a.m. on weekends and holidays—operating such equipment without a special permit is prohibited in areas near residential or business zones, as well as within a specific Near North Side boundary. A special permit can be issued by the Commissioner of Streets and Sanitation only upon a demonstrated showing of extreme hardship based on health, safety, or public welfare, and the rule does not apply to household appliances or to the downtown area bounded by the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, Ida B. Wells Drive, and the South Branch of the Chicago River.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who arrange for waste hauling or compacting services at Chicago properties should be aware that § 7-28-226 of the Chicago Municipal Code restricts the hours during which grinding and compacting equipment may operate near residential or business zones. Compliant operators typically schedule waste collection and compaction activities during permitted daytime hours and confirm that any contractor they hire holds the required special permit if after-hours operation is genuinely necessary. Violations of Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-226 can result in fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 per conviction, so reviewing hauler contracts and service schedules against the ordinance's time restrictions is a common compliance practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants who are disturbed by late-night or early-morning garbage grinding or compacting noise near their homes may find that such activity is regulated under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-226, which restricts those operations during overnight and early-morning hours in areas near residential zones. If a tenant believes a violation is occurring, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the City of Chicago's 311 service or contacting the Department of Streets and Sanitation, which oversees permit issuance under this section. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Chicago municipal code can help residents understand whether a specific situation falls within the geographic and time-based scope of § 7-28-226.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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