Schiller Park CHAPTER 98: RESIDENTIAL RENTAL DWELLINGS § 98.23
MINIMUM SPACE, USE, AND LOCATION REQUIREMENTS
Operative Text
No person shall occupy or let to another for human occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit, or part thereof, for the purpose of living therein which does not comply with the following requirements: (A) No multiple family building or dwelling unit containing two or more sleeping rooms shall have such room arrangements that access to a bathroom or water closet compartment intended for use by occupants of more than one sleeping room can be had only by going through another sleeping room, nor shall room arrangements be such that access to a sleeping room can be had only by going through another sleeping room or a bathroom or water closet compartment. (B) No cellar space shall be used as a habitable room or dwelling unit. (C) No basement space shall be used as a habitable room or dwelling unit unless: (1) The floor and walls are impervious to leakage of underground and surface run-off water and are insulated against dampness; (2) The total of window area in each room is equal to at least the minimum window area sizes as set forth in the building provisions of this code; (3) Such required minimum window area is located entirely above the grade of the ground adjoining such window area; (4) The total of openable window area in each room is equal to at least the minimum as set forth in the building provisions of this code, except where there is supplied some other device affording adequate ventilation which has the approval of the Building Official. (D) In every existing dwelling the finished floor and finished ceiling height of every rented, let, loaned, hired out, or habitable room must be at least six feet and eight inches. No ducts, pipes, or electrical ceiling fixtures shall obstruct the passage in or out of any room or the normal passage about any room. All newly constructed habitable rooms must have a floor to ceiling height as required by the building provisions of this code. (E) Except for dwellings used as convents, monasteries, rectories, and parish houses, no dwelling units shall be occupied by more than one family, as defined in § 98.02 , plus domestic servants and gratuitous guests of the family. (Ord. 94-1890, passed 10-11-94; Am. Ord. 99-2148, passed 1-12-99; Am. Ord. 13-2919, passed 2-12-13; Am. Ord. 18-4110, passed 12-20-18) Penalty, see § 98.99
Schiller Park § 98.23 establishes minimum physical and occupancy standards for residential dwellings. It prohibits using cellar space as living quarters, restricts basement use to units meeting specific moisture, window, and ventilation requirements, and requires habitable rooms to have at least 6 feet 8 inches of ceiling clearance without obstructions from ducts, pipes, or fixtures. The rule also bars room layouts that force occupants to pass through one sleeping room to reach another, and limits occupancy of a dwelling unit to one family plus domestic servants and guests, with narrow exceptions for religious residences.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential rental properties in Schiller Park must ensure every unit offered for occupancy meets the structural and spatial standards set out in § 98.23 before letting it to a tenant. This means verifying that no cellar space is used as a habitable room, that any basement unit satisfies all four conditions for moisture resistance, window area, grade-level window placement, and ventilation, and that all habitable rooms meet the 6-foot-8-inch ceiling height requirement with clear passage. Landlords should also confirm that floor plans do not require passage through one sleeping room to access another sleeping room or bathroom, and that occupancy does not exceed one family plus permitted guests as defined in § 98.02.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Schiller Park § 98.23, tenants have the right to occupy a dwelling that meets baseline standards for layout, ceiling height, basement habitability, and occupancy limits. If a rented unit appears to fall short — for example, a basement room with inadequate windows or a ceiling below 6 feet 8 inches — that potential violation of § 98.23 may be relevant to housing complaints or code enforcement proceedings. Tenants who believe their unit does not meet these requirements may consider contacting Schiller Park's local code enforcement office or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general information about 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 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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