Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-4 § 7-4-030
Maintenance of residential buildings, child care facilities and schools (Chicago Lead-Bearing Substances Ordinance)
Operative Text
It is the duty of every owner of a dwelling, residential building, child care facility or school to maintain the dwelling, residential building, child care facility or school in such a manner so as to prevent the existence of a lead hazard. (Added Coun. J. 11-5-93, p. 40561; Amend Coun. J. 3-31-04, p. 20916, § 3.24; Amend Coun. J. 12-13-06, p. 94902, § 1)
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-4 § 7-4-030, every owner of a dwelling, residential building, child care facility, or school bears a legal duty to keep that property free of lead hazards. The rule places the responsibility squarely on the owner, not the occupants, to take whatever measures are necessary to prevent lead hazards from existing on the premises. This applies to all covered property types regardless of the age of the building or the nature of its occupancy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-4 § 7-4-030 establishes an affirmative, ongoing duty for property owners to prevent lead hazards in residential buildings, dwellings, child care facilities, and schools. Compliant operators typically conduct regular inspections for deteriorating lead-based paint and other potential lead sources, address identified hazards promptly, and keep records of any remediation work performed. Staying current with Chicago's broader lead-safety requirements under Chapter 7-4 helps owners demonstrate that they are meeting this duty.
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. 7-4 § 7-4-030 gives tenants a basis to expect that their landlord is actively preventing lead hazards in the building — this is not a discretionary standard but a legal duty placed on the owner. Tenants who observe conditions that may indicate a lead hazard, such as chipping or peeling paint in older buildings, may report concerns to the Chicago Department of Buildings or other relevant city agencies. Tenant-rights organizations in Chicago can also help residents understand what options are generally available when an owner may not be meeting obligations 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.