Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-640
Prescription required – Violation – Penalty (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or give away any corrosive or caustic acid or any phosphorus or solution thereof, or any hydrogen sulphide, valerianic acid, ammonium valerianate, valerianate of zinc, or any solution or mixture of said substances, or any other nauseous, offensive, or filthy substances of like or similar nature, except upon the written prescription of a physician licensed under the laws of the state, which prescription shall be filled only once and shall have written upon it the name and address of the patient. This section shall not apply to sales at wholesale by manufacturing or wholesale druggists to retail druggists, physicians, or chemists. Any person violating any provision of this section shall be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $200.00 for each offense. (Prior code § 99-54)
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-640 restricts the sale or distribution of certain corrosive, caustic, or otherwise noxious substances—such as phosphorus, hydrogen sulphide, and related compounds—to situations where a licensed physician has provided a written prescription bearing the patient's name and address, and that prescription may only be filled one time. Wholesale transactions between manufacturers, wholesale druggists, retail druggists, physicians, and chemists are exempt from this requirement. Violations carry a fine ranging from $50 to $200 per offense.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who stock or sell any substances covered by Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-640—including corrosive acids, phosphorus, or similarly noxious compounds—generally ensure that each retail transaction is accompanied by a valid, single-use written physician's prescription that includes the patient's name and address. Operators engaged only in wholesale distribution to licensed druggists, physicians, or chemists should confirm they qualify for the wholesale exemption before relying on it. Maintaining clear records of prescriptions received and transactions completed is a common compliance practice under this section.
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 § 7-28-640 establishes that individuals seeking certain corrosive or noxious substances have a right to expect that sellers comply with the prescription requirement, helping to limit unsupervised access to potentially dangerous materials. If a tenant or resident believes a seller has violated this provision, they may consider reporting the concern to the Chicago Department of Housing or another appropriate municipal authority, or consulting a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options. Each violation of this section is subject to a fine of $50 to $200 per offense.
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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