Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-500
Removal of roofing refuse (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
Every person engaged in or conducting in the city the business of roofing of buildings, shall remove the dirt and roofing refuse from the roofs by lowering it in buckets or containers, or with ropes, pulleys, or other mechanical devices while repairing or renewing roofs. (Prior code § 99-42)
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-500, anyone operating a roofing business within the city is required to remove dirt and roofing debris from rooftops by lowering it in buckets, containers, or through ropes, pulleys, or similar mechanical devices. This rule applies during both roof repairs and roof replacements. The provision is designed to prevent roofing refuse from being thrown or dropped from buildings in ways that could endanger people or property below.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers in Chicago who hire roofing contractors should be aware that Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-500 places the compliance obligation on the roofing business conducting the work. Compliant roofing operators typically use buckets, containers, ropes, pulleys, or other mechanical lowering devices to bring debris down from the roof safely. When vetting contractors, operators generally confirm that the roofing company's work practices align with this municipal requirement.
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 § 7-28-500 establishes that roofing businesses must use controlled mechanical methods—such as buckets or pulleys—to remove debris from rooftops rather than allowing it to fall freely. If a tenant observes roofing work at their building where debris is being dropped or thrown from the roof, that conduct may constitute a violation of this provision. Tenants who witness such conditions can report concerns to the City of Chicago's 311 service or consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand available 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 September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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