Godfrey — Ch. 18 Art. VII Property Maintenance Code § 18-187
Violations
Operative Text
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person required to obtain an occupancy permit, temporary occupancy permit, or interim occupancy permit to fail to obtain the permit as required by the ordinance codified in this section or to knowingly make any false or misleading statement in an application for an any type of occupancy permit including without limitation the names, ages, relationships, or number of occupants who will occupy the premises. (b) Any person or entity found to be in violation of the foregoing sections 18-183 through 18-186 , shall be fined not less than $200.00 and not more than $250.00 per day for each day the violation is found to have occurred. For any owner who is found to be in violation of the ordinance codified in sections 18-183 through 18-189 for a second or more offense, within a five-year period, the fine shall be $500.00 per day for each day the violation is found to have occurred. (c) The village shall also be entitled to a reimbursement of its attorney fees court costs and expenses of litigation incurred in the successful prosecution of any violation of sections 18-183 through 18-189 .
Section 18-187 of Godfrey's Property Maintenance Code makes it unlawful to operate without the required occupancy, temporary occupancy, or interim occupancy permit, and equally unlawful to submit false or misleading information—such as incorrect names, ages, relationships, or occupant counts—on any permit application. Violations of the related sections (18-183 through 18-186) carry daily fines ranging from $200 to $250 per day, escalating to $500 per day for repeat offenders with a second or subsequent violation within a five-year window. The Village is also entitled to recover attorney fees, court costs, and litigation expenses when it successfully prosecutes a violation under sections 18-183 through 18-189.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to § 18-187 of Godfrey's Property Maintenance Code generally ensure that all required occupancy permits—standard, temporary, or interim—are secured before any premises are occupied, and that every permit application contains complete and accurate information about occupants, including their names, ages, relationships, and total number. Compliant operators maintain records that can demonstrate permit status and application accuracy, since daily fines between $200 and $250 apply for each day a violation is found to exist, and a second offense within five years triggers a $500-per-day fine. Keeping permit documentation current and truthful also helps avoid exposure to the Village's right to recover attorney fees and litigation costs under sections 18-183 through 18-189.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 18-187 of Godfrey's Property Maintenance Code, tenants have an interest in knowing whether their landlord has obtained the required occupancy permit for the premises they occupy, since operating without one—or with a fraudulently obtained permit—constitutes a violation subject to daily fines and potential legal action by the Village. If a tenant suspects that a landlord is operating without a proper permit or submitted false occupancy information, they may consider contacting the Village of Godfrey directly to inquire about permit status or report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help individuals understand how permit violations under sections 18-183 through 18-189 may relate to their housing situation.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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