Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-517
Responsibilities and enforcement authority (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
A. Rulemaking Authority. The commissioner, in conjunction with the board, shall adopt rules and regulations necessary for the administration of this ordinance. B. Regulatory Authority. When evidence of an alleged violation of any provision of this ordinance is presented to the commissioner, the commissioner, or any employee authorized by the commissioner shall serve upon the facility a written notice, informing the person(s) of the alleged violation(s). The owner or operator of the facility shall contact the department for an inspection of the site within five working days of the receipt of such notice of violation. Failure to do so will result in an inspection of the facility at a time and date determined by the department. C. Inspection. At any time of any inspection, and the presentation of credentials, the inspector may: (1) Enter upon the property or facility, public or private, for the purpose of taking any action authorized by this ordinance, including obtaining information and conducting investigations; and (2) Examine all documents related to compliance with this section subject to the Medical Practice Act or court order. (Added Coun. J. 9-12-90, p. 20461; Corrected. 11-28-90, p. 26324)
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-517 establishes the enforcement framework for a local ordinance by granting the commissioner authority to create rules, investigate alleged violations, and conduct inspections of facilities. When a potential violation is reported, the facility receives written notice and is expected to arrange an inspection with the department within five working days. Inspectors are authorized to enter properties, gather information, and review relevant compliance documents, subject to applicable legal protections such as the Medical Practice Act.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-517, property owners and operators who receive a written notice of alleged violation are generally expected to contact the Chicago Department of Housing to schedule an inspection within five working days. Operators who do not respond within that window may have an inspection scheduled unilaterally by the department at a time of its choosing. Maintaining organized compliance records and being prepared to grant inspector access upon presentation of credentials are practices consistent with operating under 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 § 7-28-517 provides a mechanism through which alleged violations at a facility can be brought to the commissioner's attention, triggering a formal written notice and inspection process. Tenants or others who believe a facility is not complying with the underlying ordinance may present evidence of that alleged violation to the commissioner, which can initiate regulatory review. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid resources can help individuals understand how this enforcement process applies to their circumstances and what options may be available through the Chicago Department of Housing.
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.