Cicero — Part II Ch. 46 Art. X Minimum Housing Code § 46-480
Boarding up of building; liens
Operative Text
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person owning, leasing or controlling any building upon any plot of ground within the corporate limits of the town to allow the windows and doors of such building to fall into a state of disrepair and remain open to the elements. This includes, but is not limited to, missing or broken windows and missing or broken doors. (b) The failure to repair the building shall constitute a violation of this section. The town may provide for the boarding up of such a building when the owners or occupants refuse or neglect to make the necessary repairs and can collect from the owners the reasonable costs and expenses incurred in doing so. (c) This cost is a lien upon the real estate affected, superior to all other liens and encumbrances, except tax liens; provided that within 60 days after such cost and expense is incurred the town or person performing the service by authority of the town, in his or its own name, files notice of lien in the office of the county recorder. The notice shall consist of a sworn statement setting out: (1) A description of the real estate sufficient for identification; (2) The amount of money representing the cost and expense incurred or payable for the service; and (3) The date or dates when such cost and expense was incurred by the town. (d) The town's lien shall not be valid as to any purchaser whose rights in and to such real estate have arisen subsequent to the boarding up of the property and prior to the filing of such notice, and the town's lien shall not be valid as to any mortgagee, judgment creditor or other lienor whose rights in and to such real estate arise prior to the filing of such notice. Upon payment of the cost and expenses by the owner of or by persons interested in such property after notice of lien has been filed, the lien shall be released by the town or person in whose name the lien has been filed and the release may be filed of record as in the case of filing notice of lien. (e) The cost of boarding up a building shall not be lien on the real estate affected unless a notice is either personally served on, or sent by regular mail to, the person to whom the tax bill for the general taxes on the property for the last preceding year was sent. The notice shall be delivered or sent after the boarding up of the building located on the property. The notice shall state the substance of this section and shall identify the property, by common description, and the location of the building.
Cicero § 46-480 prohibits property owners, lessees, and controllers of buildings within town limits from allowing windows and doors to fall into disrepair and remain exposed to the elements, including missing or broken windows and doors. When responsible parties refuse or neglect to make required repairs, the town is authorized to board up the building itself and recover the reasonable costs from the property owner. Those costs can become a lien on the real estate—ranking above most other liens except tax liens—provided the town files a proper notice with the county recorder within 60 days and gives required notice to the person who received the last general tax bill for the property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Cicero should be aware that § 46-480 imposes an affirmative obligation to keep windows and doors in a state of repair that prevents exposure to the elements. Compliant operators generally inspect buildings regularly, address broken or missing windows and doors promptly, and respond to any town notices about needed repairs before the town steps in to board up the property. If the town does perform boarding-up work, it may file a lien against the property in the county recorder's office, which can affect title, financing, and future transfers of the real estate.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Cicero § 46-480, tenants living in buildings with broken or missing windows and doors have a basis to report those conditions as violations of the town's Minimum Housing Code. If a landlord refuses or neglects to make repairs, the town itself has authority to intervene and board up the building, which may affect habitability and occupancy. Tenants who believe their building is out of compliance with § 46-480 may consider contacting the town's code enforcement office, consulting a local tenant-rights organization, or raising the violation as a defense in relevant legal proceedings.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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