Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-303
Location of grease containers (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
Individual hotels, cafes and retail food establishments generating more than 1,500 pounds of cooking grease or kindred refuse per month shall design space for and install sealed, odor and rodent resistant vacuum containers for the storage of grease. Such containers shall be indoors except when the department of streets and sanitation determines there is no suitable indoor location. If there is no suitable indoor location the grease must be contained in a suitable outdoor location on the property. The commissioner of the department of streets and sanitation shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations regarding the definition of suitable indoor location and outdoor location. (Amend Coun. J. 7-7-99, p. 6985) Editor's note - The provisions of this section were effective July 7, 2000.
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-303, hotels, cafes, and retail food establishments that produce more than 1,500 pounds of cooking grease or similar refuse each month are required to install sealed, odor- and rodent-resistant vacuum containers for grease storage. These containers must be kept indoors unless the Department of Streets and Sanitation determines that no suitable indoor space exists, in which case an appropriate outdoor location on the property must be used. The Commissioner of Streets and Sanitation holds authority to define what qualifies as a suitable indoor or outdoor location through rules and regulations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of hotels, cafes, or retail food establishments in Chicago that generate over 1,500 pounds of cooking grease monthly generally ensure compliance with Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-303 by designing and installing sealed, odor- and rodent-resistant vacuum grease containers in a suitable indoor space. When an indoor location is not feasible, compliant operators work with the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation to identify and document an approved outdoor location on the property. Staying current with any rules or regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Streets and Sanitation regarding location standards is also part of ongoing 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 § 7-28-303 establishes grease storage standards that can affect sanitation and pest conditions in and around buildings that house food establishments, which may be relevant to tenants living in or near such properties. If residents observe improperly stored grease or related sanitation concerns, they may report conditions to the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, which oversees enforcement of this provision. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid resources can help individuals understand how municipal sanitation codes may intersect with habitability rights.
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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