Highland Park — Title XVII Ch. 174 Property Maintenance and Housing Code § 174.105
Infected and Uninhabitable Dwelling
Operative Text
Whenever it shall be certified by an inspector or officer of the health department that a dwelling is infected with contagious disease, or that it is unfit for human habitation, or dangerous to life or health by reason of want of repair, or defects in the drainage, plumbing, lighting, ventilation or the construction of the same, or by reason of the existence on the premises of a nuisance likely to cause sickness among the occupants of said dwelling or for any other cause, the Building Official may issue an order requiring all persons therein to vacate such dwelling within not less than 24 hours nor more than ten days for the reasons to be mentioned in said order. In case such order is not complied with within the time specified, the Building Official may cause said dwelling to be vacated. The Building Official, whenever he is satisfied that the danger from said dwelling has ceased to exist, or that it is fit for human habitation, may revoke said order or may extend the time within which to comply with the same.
Highland Park § 174.105 establishes a process by which a dwelling certified as infected with contagious disease, unfit for human habitation, or dangerous to health can be ordered vacated. Upon such a certification from the health department, the Building Official holds authority to require all occupants to leave within a window of no fewer than 24 hours and no more than ten days. If the order is not followed, the Building Official may enforce the vacancy directly. Once the hazard is resolved, the same official may lift or modify the order.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 174.105, compliant property owners generally maintain their dwellings in a condition that avoids health department certifications of unfitness, dangerous disrepair, or contagious-disease contamination. Operators who receive a vacate order from the Building Official are expected to address the underlying deficiencies — such as drainage, plumbing, lighting, ventilation, or structural issues — within the timeframe specified in the order. Keeping documentation of repairs and proactively coordinating with the health department and Building Official are practices commonly associated with getting a vacate order revoked under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 174.105 gives occupants of a certified uninhabitable or dangerous dwelling certain protections: the Building Official must specify reasons in any vacate order and must allow at least 24 hours to comply, and the order can be revoked once the hazard is resolved. Tenants who receive a vacate order may want to obtain a copy of the order and the underlying health department certification to understand the stated basis for displacement. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Highland Park's housing code can help occupants understand what remediation is required and what options may be available while a § 174.105 order is in effect.
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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