Romeoville Title XV Ch. 153 Rental Property Inspections § 153.17
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
Operative Text
(A) No owner, agent or person in charge of an existing single-family dwelling unit(s), an existing multiple-family rental unit(s), multi-unit complex, commercial or industrial rental space shall rent a unit or allow any person to occupy the same as an occupant, or lessee unless a certificate of occupancy has been issued by a village inspector certifying that the residential, commercial or industrial rental property at issue has been inspected and found to be in reasonable compliance with all provisions of the currently adopted Property Maintenance Code of the village as well as all other health, building and zoning laws in force at the time the building was built; provided there are no violations to be found that threatened the health, safety and welfare of the occupants. Any change in occupancy shall require a new certificate, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. (B) A valid certificate of occupancy shall be required to accompany applications for water service. (C) A certificate of occupancy issued in connection with the initial construction of any rental property shall satisfy the requirements of this chapter for the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for a rental property for a period of three years from the date of the issuance thereof. After the expiration of such initial three-year period, all rental properties must thereafter be inspected and receive certificates of occupancy as otherwise provided by this chapter. (Prior Code, § 155.05) (Ord. 2340-95, passed 6-7-1995; Ord. 14-1120, passed 5-21-2014; Ord. 25-2031, passed 12-17-2025) Penalty, see § 153.99
Under Romeoville Title XV Ch. 153 § 153.17, no rental unit — whether residential, commercial, or industrial — may be rented or occupied unless a village inspector has issued a certificate of occupancy confirming the property meets the village's Property Maintenance Code and applicable health, building, and zoning laws, with no violations threatening occupant health, safety, or welfare. Any change in occupancy triggers the need for a new certificate. A certificate issued at initial construction satisfies this requirement for three years, after which the property must be re-inspected and recertified on the schedule set by the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Romeoville Title XV Ch. 153 § 153.17 generally maintain a current, valid certificate of occupancy before allowing any tenant to move in or take occupancy of a unit. Because each change in occupancy requires a new certificate — except where the chapter provides otherwise — compliant operators typically initiate the village inspection process well in advance of a new tenancy. Operators of newly constructed rental properties should also track the three-year window from the initial certificate's issuance, after which a fresh inspection and recertification are required. A valid certificate must also accompany any application for water service under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 153.17 of Romeoville's rental inspection ordinance, tenants have an interest in knowing that a valid certificate of occupancy has been issued for their unit before they take occupancy, as the certificate signals the property has been inspected and found in reasonable compliance with health, safety, and maintenance standards. If a unit is rented without a required certificate, that absence may be relevant to housing complaints or code-enforcement proceedings with the village. Tenants who have questions about whether a certificate is in place for their unit can contact the village's inspection office or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance on 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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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