Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-820
Bed bugs – Nuisance (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
Bed bugs are hereby declared to be a public nuisance subject to the abatement provisions of this chapter. (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.
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-820, bed bugs are officially classified as a public nuisance under Chicago municipal law, which means their presence in a property triggers the city's nuisance abatement framework. This classification gives the city legal authority to require that bed bug infestations be addressed and eliminated. The provision sets the foundation for enforcement actions outlined elsewhere in Chapter 7-28.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-820 establishes that bed bugs constitute a public nuisance, meaning property owners and managers are generally expected to take prompt steps to identify and eliminate infestations in order to remain compliant with the city's abatement requirements. Operators who maintain documented inspection and treatment protocols tend to be better positioned when the city's nuisance abatement provisions are applied. Familiarity with the broader Chapter 7-28 framework helps property managers understand what abatement obligations may follow from this classification.
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 § 7-28-820 gives tenants a legal basis to point to when reporting bed bug conditions, since the city has formally declared bed bugs a public nuisance subject to abatement. Tenants who believe an infestation is not being addressed may have the option of filing a complaint with the Chicago Department of Housing or another relevant city authority, or raising the nuisance classification as context in a housing dispute. Tenant-rights organizations in Chicago can help residents understand how this provision connects to other remedies available under local law.
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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