Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-810
Definitions (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
As used in this article, the following terms are defined as follows: "Bedding" means any mattress, box spring, foundation, or studio couch made in whole or part from new or secondhand fabric, filling material, or other textile product or material and which can be used for sleeping or reclining purposes. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of public health. "Dwelling unit", "landlord", "rent" and "tenant" have the meaning ascribed to those terms in Section 5-12-030 . "Multiple rental unit building" means a building which contains two or more rental units. A "multiple rental unit building" does not include a condominium or cooperative building. "Pest Management Professional" means a person who: (i) is licensed, registered or certified by the State of Illinois to perform pest control services pursuant to the Structural Pest Control Act, 235 ILCS 235: (ii) has attended courses or undergone training for the proper method for the extermination of bed bugs; and (iii) follows National Pest Management Association Best Practices for the extermination of bed bugs. "Rental unit" means any dwelling unit which is not owner occupied and is held out for rent to tenants, including any single family home held out for rent to tenants. (Added Coun. J. 6-5-13, p. 55787, § 5) Editor's note - Per Coun. J. 6-5-13, p. 55787, § 6, §§ 7-28-810 - 7-28-900 become effective on 12-23-13.
Section 7-28-810 of the Chicago Municipal Code establishes the foundational vocabulary for the article governing bed bug-related obligations in rental housing. Key terms such as "bedding," "rental unit," "multiple rental unit building," and "Pest Management Professional" are given specific, bounded meanings that apply throughout the article. Notably, condominium and cooperative buildings are explicitly excluded from the definition of "multiple rental unit building," and a Pest Management Professional must meet state licensing requirements under Illinois's Structural Pest Control Act as well as specific bed bug training and best-practice standards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Chicago's bed bug article (§ 7-28-810 et seq.) should be aware that the definitions in this section shape the scope of their obligations throughout the article. Because "rental unit" includes single-family homes held out for rent, operators of those properties are not exempt simply because they own only one unit. Compliant operators generally ensure that any pest control work related to bed bugs is performed by a Pest Management Professional who meets all three criteria outlined in § 7-28-810, including state licensure, bed bug-specific training, and adherence to National Pest Management Association Best Practices.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 7-28-810 sets out the definitions that determine whether a tenant's housing situation falls within the scope of Chicago's bed bug regulations. Tenants living in non-owner-occupied units — including single-family rental homes — are covered under the article's definition of "rental unit," while those in condominiums or cooperatives may fall outside the "multiple rental unit building" definition. Tenants who believe their landlord's pest control obligations apply to their situation may find it useful to review the full article beginning at § 7-28-810, consult the Chicago Department of Housing, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information about how these definitions affect their circumstances.
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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