Bellwood CHAPTER 124: LICENSING OF MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS AND SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNITS FOR RENT § 124.20
DEMOLITION OF MULTIPLE-FAMILY BUILDINGS, SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNITS FOR RENT, DWELLING UNITS, OR ROOMING UNITS DESIGNATED AS UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION
Operative Text
(A) The Comptroller shall order a multiple- family building, single-family dwelling unit for rent, dwelling unit, or rooming unit to be demolished if it has been designated as unfit for human habitation, has been placarded as such, has been vacated, has not been put into proper repair as to rescind the designation as unfit for human habitation and to cause the placard to be removed, and is determined by the Comptroller not to warrant repair under § 124.19 . (B) The owner of any multiple-family building, single-family dwelling unit for rent, dwelling unit, or rooming unit which has been ordered demolished, shall be given reasonable time, not to exceed 90 days, to demolish such structure. (C) When the owner fails, neglects, or refuses to demolish an unfit, unsafe, or unsanitary dwelling, dwelling unit, or rooming unit within the requisite time, the Comptroller may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for a demolition order to undertake the demolition. The court may grant such order when no reconsideration or hearing on the matter is pending. The cost of such demolition shall create a debt in favor of the village against such owner, and shall be recoverable in a civil action brought by the village which shall possess all the rights of a private creditor. (D) Whenever a multiple-family building or single-family dwelling unit for rent is demolished, whether carried out by the owner or by the Comptroller such demolition shall include the removal of concrete slabs, the filling in of excavation remaining on the property on which the demolished dwelling was located, and grading and grass seeding, in such manner as to eliminate all potential danger to the public health, safety, or welfare arising from such excavation. (E) All demolition shall be preceded by an inspection of the premises by the Comptroller to determine whether or not extermination procedures are necessary. If the premises are found to be infested, appropriate rat extermination to prevent the spread of rats to adjoining or other areas shall be instituted before, during, and after demolition. (Ord. 03-43, passed 8-20-03; Am. Ord. 03-59, passed 11-12-03)
Bellwood § 124.20 establishes a process by which the Comptroller may order the demolition of a multi-family building, single-family rental unit, dwelling unit, or rooming unit that has been declared unfit for human habitation, vacated, and not repaired to a standard that would lift that designation. Once a demolition order is issued, the owner has up to 90 days to carry out the demolition; if the owner fails to act, the Comptroller may seek a court order to proceed, with the costs becoming a debt owed to the village. Any demolition must include site cleanup—removal of concrete slabs, filling excavations, grading, and grass seeding—and must be preceded by an inspection for pest infestation, with rat extermination conducted as needed before, during, and after the work.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Bellwood § 124.20, a compliant property owner who receives a demolition order acts within the 90-day window provided, completing all required site remediation including slab removal, excavation fill, grading, and grass seeding. Operators are generally aware that failure to act within that window can result in the village obtaining a court-ordered demolition, with all associated costs charged back to the owner as a recoverable civil debt. Staying current on any unfit-for-habitation designations and responding promptly to Comptroller notices helps avoid the escalation pathway described in this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Bellwood § 124.20 is primarily directed at property owners and the Comptroller, but it has direct implications for tenants living in units that have been designated unfit for human habitation and vacated—such units are subject to a formal demolition process rather than continued occupancy. Tenants who believe their unit has been improperly designated, or who have questions about their rights during a vacancy or demolition proceeding, may wish to review the broader licensing chapter and consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Bellwood's municipal code. Understanding the sequence of events outlined in § 124.20—designation, placard, vacancy, repair opportunity, and then demolition—can help tenants track where a property stands in that process.
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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