Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-750
Screen fence required – Nuisance declared when (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
(a) It shall be the duty of the owner of any open lot located within the City of Chicago to cause the lot to be surrounded with a screen fence as defined in Section 14B-31-3114 of this Code. Provided, however, that this section shall not apply to any governmental agency or unit of local government; nor shall it apply to side yards. The owner shall maintain any such fence in a safe condition without tears, breaks, rust, splinters or dangerous protuberances and in a manner that does not endanger or threaten to endanger vehicular traffic by obstructing the view of drivers. Any fence which is not maintained in accordance with these provisions is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and shall be removed pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter 7-28 . It shall be the duty of the owner of any lot whose fence has been so removed to replace such fence with a screen fence meeting the requirements of this section and of this Code. (b) The owner of any open lot located within the City of Chicago shall affix one or more signs meeting the requirements of this subsection to any fence required under subsection (a) of this section. Such sign shall: (1) state "No parking. Tow Zone. Vehicles parked in this lot shall be towed per M.C.C. Section 7-28-780 "; (2) indicate the name, address and telephone number of the current owner of the open lot; (3) be made of a durable material; (4) contain lettering in a color that contrasts sharply with the background color of the sign; (5) be affixed to the fence in a conspicuous and prominent location so as to be clearly visible and legible from all the public ways adjacent to the open lot; and (6) be maintained in safe and proper condition. The Department of Streets and Sanitation is authorized to promulgate rules necessary to implement this subsection and shall enforce this subsection in accordance with Sections 2-100-110 and 7-28-780 . (c) For purposes of this section, the term "owner" shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in Chapter 14A-2 of this Code. (d) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not less than $300 nor more than $600 for each offense. Each day such violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense to which a separate fine shall apply. Provided, however, that it shall be a defense to a violation adjudicated under this section if the owner, as defined in subsection (c) of this section, proves to the administrative law officer at the time of the initial hearing on the issue of whether a violation under this section occurred that such owner has installed, as applicable, fencing meeting the requirements of subsection (a) of this section or signage meeting the requirements of subsection (b) of this section or both. (Prior code § 99-63; Added Coun. J. 2-11-87, p. 39626; Amend Coun. J. 7-31-90, p. 19384; Amend Coun. J. 10-8-08, p. 39855, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 7-29-09, p. 67509, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 7-28-10, p. 97912, § 10; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 14596, Art. II, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-10-19, p. 100029, Art. II, § 88; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 32180, Art. IV, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 7-20-22, p. 50564, § 1)
Chicago Municipal Code § 7-28-750 requires that owners of open lots within the city surround those lots with a screen fence (as defined elsewhere in the Code) and keep that fence in safe, well-maintained condition — free of tears, breaks, rust, splinters, or obstructions to driver sightlines. Owners must also post at least one durable, clearly visible sign on the fence disclosing the owner's contact information and warning that unauthorized vehicles will be towed. A fence that falls out of compliance may be declared a public nuisance and removed under Chapter 7-28, after which the owner is obligated to install a replacement fence meeting all code requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners of open lots in Chicago subject to § 7-28-750 generally keep their screen fences structurally sound and free of hazards, and they ensure at least one compliant tow-warning sign — bearing the owner's name, address, and phone number — is affixed in a conspicuous location visible from all adjacent public ways. Compliant operators also make sure the sign material is durable, the lettering contrasts sharply with the background, and the sign itself is kept in good repair. Notably, § 7-28-750(d) provides a defense at the initial administrative hearing if the owner can demonstrate that qualifying fencing or signage (or both) has already been installed by the time of that hearing.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Neighboring residents and members of the public can look to § 7-28-750 to understand that open-lot owners in Chicago bear a legal duty to maintain safe, properly signed screen fences — a standard enforced by the Department of Streets and Sanitation under this section. If a fence on a nearby open lot appears dangerous, unsecured, or lacks the required tow-zone signage, a complaint may be filed with the Department of Streets and Sanitation, which is authorized to enforce § 7-28-750 in accordance with Sections 2-100-110 and 7-28-780. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help individuals understand how violations of provisions like § 7-28-750 may relate to broader housing or neighborhood safety 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 October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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