Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-310
Owner of business responsible for removal when – Violation – Penalty (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
Every person owning or operating any business establishment, other than a bed-and-breakfast establishment licensed pursuant to Section 4-6-290 unless the department of streets and sanitation determines that the bed-and-breakfast establishment is producing an unreasonable amount of refuse for a building of its size, shall cause sufficient removal and disposition of such refuse and discarded materials at his own expense and in accordance with the provisions of this Code and the rules and regulations of the department of health related to the removal and disposition of such refuse and discarded materials unless they are part of a multiple occupational unit where the building owner is required to provide refuse service. Removal must be by licensed scavenger company. Any person found in violation of this section shall be guilty of having created a nuisance and shall be fined not less than $200.00 nor more than $500.00 for the first offense, and no less than $400.00 nor more than $750.00 for the second and each subsequent offense. Each day that such violation persists shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. (Prior code § 99-24; Added Coun. J. 12-20-89, p. 10135; Amend Coun. J. 7-7-99, p. 6985; Amend Coun. J. 12-4-02, p. 99931, § 4.5; Amend Coun. J. 9-4-03, p. 7118, § 23; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 160)
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-310, businesses operating in Chicago are generally responsible for arranging and paying for the removal of their own refuse and discarded materials through a licensed scavenger company, in compliance with city code and health department rules. An exception applies when the business is part of a multi-occupancy building where the building owner is required to provide refuse service, and bed-and-breakfast establishments have a conditional exemption as well. Violations are treated as a public nuisance, with fines ranging from $200–$500 for a first offense and $400–$750 for each subsequent offense, with every day of continued violation counting as a separate offense.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers overseeing commercial tenants should be aware that Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-310 places refuse-removal responsibility on the business operator unless the building owner is required to provide that service in a multi-occupancy setting. Compliant operators typically contract with a licensed scavenger company and ensure that refuse is removed in accordance with city code and Chicago Department of Health rules. Because fines escalate with repeat offenses and accrue daily, operators generally maintain documented, ongoing refuse-removal arrangements to avoid compounding penalties.
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 § 7-28-310 is primarily directed at business operators rather than residential tenants, but tenants in mixed-use or commercial spaces may find it relevant when questions arise about who bears responsibility for refuse removal. If a business in your building appears to be violating this provision—creating unsanitary or nuisance conditions—residents can report concerns to the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation or the Chicago Department of Health. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Chicago municipal code can help clarify how refuse-related obligations interact with lease terms and habitability standards.
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.