Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-680
Maintenance (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
The owner, agent, or occupant in charge of all rat-stopped buildings or structures shall maintain them in a rat-stopped condition and repair all breaks or leaks that may occur in the rat-stoppage. (Prior code § 99-61.4)
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-680, any building or structure that has already been rat-stopped must be kept in that rat-stopped condition on an ongoing basis. Whoever is responsible for the property — whether an owner, agent, or occupant in charge — must promptly repair any breaks or leaks that develop in the rat-stoppage work. The rule treats rat-stoppage as a continuous maintenance obligation, not a one-time fix.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-680 places an ongoing duty on property owners and their agents to preserve the integrity of any rat-stoppage measures already installed in a building. Compliant operators typically conduct regular inspections to identify new gaps, cracks, or deterioration in rat-stoppage materials and arrange repairs promptly when breaks or leaks are found. Keeping records of inspections and repair work can help demonstrate that a property is being maintained in accordance with 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 § 7-28-680 establishes that tenants living in a rat-stopped building have an interest in seeing that rat-stoppage is kept in good repair by the responsible party. If breaks or leaks in rat-stoppage go unaddressed, tenants may document the conditions and report them to the Chicago Department of Housing or another appropriate city enforcement body. Tenant-rights organizations in Chicago can help residents understand what options are generally available when a landlord fails to maintain required pest-exclusion measures.
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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