Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-261
Accumulation of refuse – Responsibility (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
(a) No person shall deposit refuse in a standard or commercial refuse container, or compactor, in a manner that prevents complete closure of the container's cover, or deposit refuse on top of a container in a manner that interferes with opening of the container, or pile or stack refuse against a container. (b) The owner, his agent or occupant of a property shall not allow any person to violate subsection (a) of this section. The presence of refuse preventing complete closure of the container's cover, deposited on or piled or stacked against a standard refuse container, a commercial refuse container, or compactor shall be prima facie evidence of violation of this subsection (b). (c) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not less than $200.00 and not more than $500.00 for each offense. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. (Added Coun. J. 7-13-94, p. 53272; Amend Coun. J. 7-7-99, p. 6985)
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-261, no individual may deposit refuse in a way that prevents a container's cover from closing completely, place refuse on top of a container so that it blocks the lid from opening, or pile refuse against the side of a container. Property owners, their agents, and occupants are separately responsible for ensuring that no one on their property creates these conditions. Overflowing or improperly stacked refuse is treated as automatic evidence that a violation has occurred, and fines range from $200 to $500 per offense, with each day of continued violation counting as a new offense.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-261 places an affirmative duty on property owners and their agents to prevent refuse from overflowing containers, blocking lids, or being stacked against containers on their property. Compliant operators typically schedule regular refuse pickups, provide containers of adequate size for the volume of waste generated, and communicate proper disposal practices to occupants. Because the presence of overflowing refuse is treated as prima facie evidence of a violation, maintaining observable compliance is an important part of day-to-day property management in Chicago.
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 § 7-28-261 establishes that both individual occupants and property owners share responsibility for keeping refuse containers properly closed and free of overflow. Tenants who observe persistent refuse violations on their property—such as chronically overflowing containers—may report conditions to the Chicago Department of Housing or the city's 311 service. Tenant-rights organizations in Chicago can provide general information about how refuse-related code violations may intersect with habitability standards and other tenant protections.
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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