Chicago Heights — Ch. 22 Housing, Dangerous Buildings and Structures § 22-8
Emergency evacuation of a dangerous, unsafe building or structure or building with defective sanitary conditions
Operative Text
(1) In addition to the general authority provided by section 22-7 , whenever it shall come to the knowledge of the supervisor of the building department, or the existing structures code enforcement officer, or of the health officer, sanitarian or sanitation officer or fire prevention officer or other authorized enforcement officer that a dangerous, unsafe building or structure exists with structural faults that may cause the imminent collapse of the said building or structure, or if any building or structure is in such condition as to make it imminently dangerous to the health, morals, safety or general welfare of its occupants, or the occupants of neighboring buildings or structures or the public, or that other conditions exist of an emergency nature which may cause the death, illness or injury of its occupants thereof or the occupants of neighboring buildings or structures or the public, such officer shall order the immediate evacuation of the occupants from any such building. Faults which may be taken into account in determining whether imminent collapse of a structure or building may occur are: (a) The interior or exterior bearing walls or other vertical structural members, list, lean or buckle to such an extent as to weaken the structural support they are intended to provide. (b) External damage or deterioration exists of supporting member or members. (c) Such deterioration or damage by fire, wind or other cause exists so as to no longer provide shelter from the elements. (d) The floors are of insufficient strength for the use made of such building or violate the city's code requirements for load. (e) Defective or dangerous equipment exists which may cause loss of life and property. (f) Such other conditions as are observed and recorded. (2) Conditions which may make a building or structure imminently dangerous to the health, morals, safety or general welfare of the occupants, the occupants of neighboring buildings or structures or of the public are the presence of unsanitary conditions including, but not limited to, vermin, insect, rats or other animal infestation, lack or malfunctioning of sanitary facilities so that the structure or building is unfit for human habitation.
Chicago Heights § 22-8 authorizes designated city officers — including building department supervisors, code enforcement officers, health officers, and fire prevention officers — to order the immediate evacuation of any building or structure they determine poses an imminent threat to occupants, neighboring residents, or the public. Triggering conditions include structural faults that could cause collapse, conditions dangerous to health or safety, and unsanitary situations such as vermin infestation or failed sanitary facilities. The provision lists specific structural warning signs, such as leaning load-bearing walls, fire or wind damage, and overloaded floors, as factors officers may weigh when making that determination.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Chicago Heights § 22-8, compliant property operators routinely monitor their buildings for the structural warning signs enumerated in the provision — including deteriorating bearing walls, fire or wind damage, floor load concerns, and defective equipment — and address unsanitary conditions such as pest infestations or failed sanitary systems before they escalate to an emergency level. When any authorized enforcement officer determines that imminent danger exists, the operator has no authority to prevent or delay an evacuation order. Maintaining documented inspection records and promptly remediating identified hazards reflects the standard of care this provision contemplates.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Chicago Heights § 22-8 establishes that occupants of a building found to be imminently dangerous — whether due to structural faults, fire or wind damage, unsanitary conditions, or other emergency circumstances — may be subject to an immediate evacuation order issued by a city enforcement officer. Tenants who observe conditions described in this provision, such as leaning walls, vermin infestation, or non-functioning sanitary facilities, may report those conditions to the Chicago Heights building department, health department, or fire prevention office to trigger an inspection. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Chicago Heights housing code can help occupants understand what options may be available when a building is evacuated or deemed unfit for habitation under § 22-8.
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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