Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-227
Duty to provide refuse containers at construction or demolition sites (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
(a) Every owner, manager or general contractor of any building, structure or parcel, for which a permit for new construction or demolition at the site has been issued, shall provide and maintain in good condition and repair commercial refuse containers sufficient in size and number to prevent any overflow or accumulation of refuse outside of the containers. (b) It shall be the duty of every owner, manager or general contractor to cause all refuse, excluding construction or building material and debris, produced or located at the site to be deposited daily in the commercial refuse containers. (c) It shall be the duty of every owner, manager or general contractor to keep each commercial refuse container located at the site covered with a tightly fitted cover at all times, except when opened for deposit or removal of the refuse. (d) It shall be the duty of every owner, manager or general contractor to cause to be removed at his own cost and expense all refuse, excluding construction or building material and debris, located at the site. The removal shall be of such frequency to prevent the overflow and accumulation of refuse outside of the containers and shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Code. (e) No container used for the storage, collection and removal of refuse shall be placed so as to constitute a nuisance to adjacent property or the occupants thereof. (f) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not less than $200.00 and not more than $500.00 for each offense. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. (Added Coun. J. 5-2-01, p. 57399, § 1)
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-227 establishes that owners, managers, and general contractors at permitted construction or demolition sites must supply and maintain commercial refuse containers that are large enough and numerous enough to hold all non-construction waste without overflow. All such refuse must be deposited daily into covered containers and removed frequently enough to prevent accumulation outside them. The rule also prohibits placing containers in ways that create a nuisance for neighboring properties.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-227, compliant operators at construction or demolition sites typically provide adequately sized commercial refuse containers, keep them tightly covered except during active use, and arrange for regular removal of non-construction waste at their own expense. Operators also take care to position containers so they do not interfere with or create a nuisance for adjacent properties. Violations can result in fines ranging from $200 to $500 per offense, with each continuing day counted as a separate offense.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-227 may be relevant to residents living near active construction or demolition sites, as it sets standards for how refuse must be contained and managed at those locations. If overflowing containers or improperly placed refuse at a nearby site are affecting your property or living conditions, you may have grounds to raise a concern with local code enforcement. Tenant-rights organizations and local housing agencies can help explain what complaint options are available under this provision.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.