Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-230
Location of standard and commercial refuse containers (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
Standard and commercial refuse containers shall be placed for collection in the following manner: (a) (1) Except as provided in subsection (a)(2) of this section, for alley collections, at the public alley lot line on the premises served so as to be immediately accessible to refuse collection vehicles. It shall be the duty of the property owner or his agent to provide suitable space at such public alley lot line for such container; provided, however, that a container may be placed in the public way if: (i) the property does not have suitable space as determined by the Department of Streets and Sanitation and defined in the rules promulgated pursuant to this chapter, and (ii) the structure on the property was in existence on July 31, 1999. (2) A property owner or his agent seeking City refuse collection may petition the Commissioner of Streets and Sanitation to be allowed to place one or more refuse containers in the public alley if the property owner or his agent can show: (i) that there is insufficient room to put the containers on the owner’s property; (ii) that the refuse containers can be placed directly adjacent the owner’s property; and (iii) that the containers can be placed so as to not obstruct traffic through the alley. The Commissioner shall reject the petition if all three conditions are not satisfied. (b) For curb collections, at the curb line not earlier than the evening preceding the designated collection day, and removal from the public way not later than the evening of such day, except for occupational units not operating on the day after collection. (c) No container used for the storage, collection and removal of garbage or other refuse shall be placed so as to constitute a nuisance to adjacent property or the occupants thereof. If a refuse container belonging to one property is found in a location other than one of the locations prescribed by this section, the owner of the property which the container serves shall be liable for a violation of this section. (Prior code § 99-17; Amend Coun. J. 7-7-99, p. 6985; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. II, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-26-19, p. 11514, Art. X, § 1)
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-230 establishes where and when refuse containers must be placed for collection in Chicago. For alley collection, containers generally must be positioned at the public alley lot line on the served property, while curb collection requires placement no earlier than the evening before the scheduled pickup day and removal by the evening of that same day. Containers must never be placed in a way that creates a nuisance to neighboring properties, and a property owner can be held liable if their container is found outside the locations this provision prescribes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-230, property owners and their agents are responsible for maintaining suitable space at the public alley lot line for refuse containers used in alley collection. Owners who lack sufficient on-property space may petition the Commissioner of Streets and Sanitation for permission to place containers in the public alley, but must demonstrate that the containers fit adjacent to the property without obstructing alley traffic. Compliant operators also ensure that containers used for curb collection are set out no earlier than the evening before pickup and retrieved by the evening of collection day, and that no container placement creates a nuisance to neighboring occupants.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-230 makes clear that responsibility for proper container placement rests with the property owner or their agent, not the tenant, in most circumstances. If a tenant observes that refuse containers are consistently misplaced, creating a nuisance or blocking access, that pattern may reflect a landlord's failure to comply with this provision. Tenants who believe a violation is occurring can report concerns to the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation or consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand 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 September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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