DeKalb, IL Municipal Code Ch. 10 Landlord-Tenant Regulations § 10.03
Scope
Operative Text
a) This Chapter applies to, regulates, and determines the rights, obligations and remedies
related to the operation and occupancy of residential rental units located within the City of
DeKalb. However, the following are exempt from application of this chapter:
1. Residence at an institution, public or private, if incidental to detention or the provision of
medical, geriatric, counseling, religious or similar service.
2. Transient occupancy in a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, tourist home or tourist court.
3. Residence at a property wholly owned by the state or federal government or by the DeKalb
County Housing Authority. These properties shall be governed by the State and Federal
laws and regulations applicable thereto.
4. Rooming Houses, as defined and regulated by Chapter 14 of the DeKalb Municipal Code,
shall be exempt only from the criminal nuisance property violation in Section 10.17.DeKalb Municipal Code Chapter 10, § 10.03 establishes that the city's landlord-tenant regulations cover residential rental units within DeKalb's city limits, but carves out several categories from full coverage. Institutional residences tied to detention or care, transient lodging such as hotels and motels, and properties owned by state or federal government or the DeKalb County Housing Authority fall entirely outside the chapter's reach. Rooming houses occupy a middle ground: they are subject to most of Chapter 10 but are specifically exempt from the criminal nuisance property provision in § 10.17.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of standard residential rental properties in DeKalb should treat Chapter 10, § 10.03 as the starting point for understanding whether the chapter's full framework applies to their units. Compliant operators of rooming houses governed by Chapter 14 of the DeKalb Municipal Code generally ensure they follow all Chapter 10 requirements except the criminal nuisance property provision at § 10.17. Operators of hotels, motels, institutional housing, or government-owned properties typically confirm their exempt status under § 10.03 before relying on that exemption, since the classification of a property determines which legal framework governs it.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in standard residential rental units in DeKalb can look to Chapter 10, § 10.03 to confirm that the chapter's protections apply to their housing. Those residing in hotels, motels, institutional settings, or government-owned properties should be aware that Chapter 10 may not cover their situation, and separate state, federal, or local rules may govern their rights instead. Tenants uncertain about whether their housing falls within an exemption may benefit from contacting a local tenant-rights organization or the City of DeKalb for guidance on which regulatory framework applies.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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