East St. Louis — Ch. 26 Art. XX Roominghouses § 26-1161
Definitions
Operative Text
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Building inspector, plumbing inspector and electrical inspector mean any officer of the department of regulatory affairs duly charged by law to enforce the building code and all provisions of this article and other ordinances of the city pertaining thereto. Chief of the fire department and fire chief mean any officer duly charged by law to enforce the fire code and all provisions of this article and other ordinances of the city pertaining thereto. Health officer means the health authority of the East Side Health District, his authorized representative, his successor or any health officer duly charged by law to enforce provisions of this article or other ordinances of the city relating to health. Roominghouse means every dwelling house, roominghouse, furnished roominghouse, tourist home, motel, lodginghouse, boardinghouse and any other similarly occupied building or structure, or portion thereof, kept, held or used where sleeping or lodging is provided, or which is equipped to provide lodging, by prearrangement for a definite period, for compensation, for five or more persons, in contradistinction to hotels open to transients and apartments, either furnished or unfurnished. Cross reference-- Definitions generally, § 1-2.
Section 26-1161 of East St. Louis Ch. 26 Art. XX establishes the working definitions for key terms used throughout the Roominghouses article. It identifies which city officials — including building, plumbing, electrical, and fire inspectors, as well as the health officer — are responsible for enforcing the article's requirements. It also defines what qualifies as a 'roominghouse,' which broadly covers any dwelling or structure that provides paid lodging by prearrangement for five or more people, distinguishing such facilities from hotels open to transients and from apartments.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of properties that provide paid, prearranged lodging for five or more people should be aware that, under § 26-1161, their facility likely meets the definition of a 'roominghouse' and is therefore subject to the full scope of Ch. 26 Art. XX's requirements. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties in accordance with the building, plumbing, electrical, fire, and health codes enforced by the officers named in this section. Understanding which officials have jurisdiction — from the department of regulatory affairs to the East Side Health District — helps operators know who may conduct inspections or issue notices related to their facility.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of rooming houses, tourist homes, motels, lodging houses, or similar paid-lodging arrangements in East St. Louis should know that § 26-1161 defines the scope of who is covered and who enforces the rules under Ch. 26 Art. XX. The provision identifies building inspectors, fire officials, and the East Side Health District health officer as the authorities charged with enforcing applicable codes and ordinances. Tenants who believe conditions in their facility violate applicable codes may consider contacting the relevant city department or 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 November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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