Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-280
Removal of contents (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful for any person other than a city refuse collector or a private scavenger licensed by the city, to remove, displace, uncover, or otherwise disturb, any refuse container or the contents thereof when placed on location, as provided for in Section 7-28-230 . (Prior code § 99-21)
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-280, only authorized city refuse collectors or city-licensed private scavengers are permitted to remove, move, or disturb refuse containers and their contents once those containers have been placed for collection. Any other person who interferes with a properly placed refuse container is acting in violation of this rule. The provision is designed to keep the waste-collection process orderly and prevent unauthorized handling of refuse.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-280 generally ensure that once refuse containers are set out for collection in accordance with Section 7-28-230, neither staff nor tenants are directed to move or disturb those containers except through authorized channels. Compliant operators communicate to building occupants that only licensed city refuse collectors or city-licensed private scavengers may handle containers once placed. Maintaining clear signage or building rules that reflect this restriction is a common practice among operators seeking to stay in compliance.
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 § 7-28-280 establishes that tenants, like all non-authorized individuals, are prohibited from removing or disturbing refuse containers once they have been placed for collection. If a tenant believes someone is repeatedly violating this rule in a way that affects their building or neighborhood, they may consider reporting the activity to the City of Chicago's 311 service or the relevant municipal department. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how this provision interacts with other building and housing code obligations.
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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