Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-740
Lot maintenance – Required (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
It shall be the duty of the owner of any open lot located within the City of Chicago to keep such lot free of garbage, ashes, refuse, trash, rubbish, miscellaneous waste, manure or other substance that may contain disease germs or be scattered by the wind, or decompose, or become filthy, noxious or unhealthful. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not less than $300 nor more than $600 for each offense. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense to which a separate fine shall apply. (Prior code § 99-62; Added Coun. J. 2-11-87, p. 39626; Amend 7-31-90, p. 19384; Amend Coun. J. 7-29-09, p. 67509, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 7-28-10, p. 97912, § 9; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 14596, Art. II, § 1)
Chicago Municipal Code § 7-28-740 places a maintenance obligation on owners of open (unbuilt) lots within the city, requiring those lots to be kept clear of garbage, ash, refuse, rubbish, waste, manure, and similar materials that could spread disease, be scattered by wind, decompose, or become otherwise hazardous. Violations carry fines ranging from $300 to $600, and each day the violation persists is treated as a separate offense, meaning fines can accumulate daily. The rule applies to any open lot in Chicago, regardless of whether it is actively used.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners of vacant or open lots in Chicago are generally expected to conduct regular inspections and promptly remove garbage, refuse, rubbish, and other waste materials to stay in compliance with § 7-28-740. Because each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate offense under this section, a single unaddressed condition can result in rapidly escalating fines between $300 and $600 per day. Compliant operators typically establish routine maintenance schedules and keep records of cleanup activities for open lots they own within city limits.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
While § 7-28-740 directly obligates lot owners rather than tenants, residents who live near or adjacent to an open lot that is not being properly maintained may have grounds to report the condition to the Chicago Department of Housing or another relevant city enforcement body. If a poorly maintained lot is connected to a rental property, tenants may wish to document the conditions and explore whether the violation affects habitability or other tenant protections under Chicago law. Tenant-rights organizations in Chicago can help residents understand how this provision may intersect with their broader housing 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 October 14, 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.