Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-300
Removal of restaurant garbage (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
Every person owning or controlling any hotel, restaurant, café, or retail food establishment that uses a commercial refuse container shall cause all substances deposited in such containers to be removed from his premises on each day of operation. Such person shall cause the removal and disposition of such substances in accordance with the provisions of this Code and the rules or regulations of the department of health relating to the disposition and removal of such substances. (Prior code § 99-23; Amend Coun. J. 7-7-99, p. 6985)
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-300, any person who owns or controls a hotel, restaurant, café, or retail food establishment that uses a commercial refuse container must have all waste removed from those containers every day the business operates. The removal and disposal of that waste must comply with both the broader Municipal Code and the Chicago Department of Health's applicable rules and regulations. This rule applies regardless of the volume of waste generated on a given day of operation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of hotels, restaurants, cafés, or retail food establishments subject to Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-300 generally arrange for daily commercial refuse pickup on every day the establishment is open. Compliant operators also ensure that their waste haulers and disposal methods meet the standards set by the Chicago Department of Health, in addition to the broader requirements of the Municipal Code. Keeping documentation of scheduled pickups and hauler agreements can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with this provision.
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 § 7-28-300 is primarily directed at commercial food-service operators rather than residential tenants, but residents who live near or above such establishments may have an interest in its requirements. If a neighboring restaurant or hotel appears to be leaving commercial refuse containers unemptied for multiple days, that may constitute a violation of this provision that can be reported to the Chicago Department of Health or the city's 311 service. Tenant-rights organizations and local housing advocates can help residents understand how sanitation violations in shared or adjacent commercial spaces may intersect with habitability concerns.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.