Schiller Park CHAPTER 98: RESIDENTIAL RENTAL DWELLINGS § 98.22
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS RELATIVE TO SAFE AND SANITARY MAINTENANCE
Operative Text
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any multiple family building, single-family rental dwelling, or dwelling unit for human habitation which does not comply with the following requirements: (A) Every foundation, floor, wall, ceiling, and roof shall be weathertight, watertight, and rodent-proof; shall be capable of affording privacy; and shall be kept in good repair. (B) Every window, exterior door, and basement hatchway shall be weathertight, watertight, and rodent-proof; shall be kept in good repair; and shall be kept clean enough to allow reasonable passage of sunlight except when shades are drawn. Every operable window, basement hatchway, exterior door, and dwelling unit entrance door shall be equipped with a locking device reasonably capable of preventing unauthorized entry into a building or dwelling unit, which locking device shall be maintained in good condition and repair, except that exterior doors, which lead into a porch, alcove, foyer, hallway, or similar space from which entry to the remainder of the building is through a door equipped with an operable and reasonably effective locking device, need not be equipped with a locking device. All doors providing a means of egress from a dwelling unit and from a building shall be operable from the interior without the use of a key, special tools, or special knowledge. (C) Every plumbing fixture and water and waste pipe shall be maintained in a good sanitary working condition, free from defects, leaks and obstructions. (D) Every water closet compartment, floor surface, and bathroom floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition. (E) Every supplied facility, piece of equipment, or utility which is required under this subchapter, including but not limited to required smoke detectors, shall be maintained in satisfactory working condition so that it will function safely and effectively. (F) No owner, operator, or occupant shall cause any service facilities, equipment or utility which is required under this subchapter to be removed from or shut off from or discontinued from any occupied dwelling let or occupied by him, except such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process, or during temporary emergencies when discontinuance of service is approved by the Building Official. (G) All exterior wood surfaces on all dwellings shall be reasonably protected from the elements and against decay by a suitable protective material and must conform with the requirements set forth in the building provisions of this code governing exterior weather board and veneers. (H) The interior of every dwelling, single-family rental dwelling, and multiple family dwelling unit used for human habitation shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. (I) All exterior property areas shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. (J) Every inside and outside stairway and porch and every appurtenance thereto of every building shall be maintained in a good state of repair as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed upon it and shall meet the standards set forth in the building provisions of this code relating to construction and maintenance. (K) All garages and tool sheds and all other out buildings shall be kept in good repair so as not to be unsafe or become a harborage for rats and other rodents. Nor shall any wood or lumber or any other material or object be stored, kept, or permitted to remain except temporarily on the premises, in such a manner that will be unsafe or afford harborage for rats. (L) Every plumbing fixture and pipe, every chimney, flue, and smoke pipe, and every other facility, piece of equipment, or utility which is present in a multiple family building, single- family rental dwelling, or dwelling unit, or which is required under this chapter, shall be constructed and installed in conformance with the appropriate statutes, ordinances, and regulations of the Village and the state. (M) Every dwelling shall have approved dual means of egress with minimum headroom of six feet six inches to safe and open space at ground level. Every dwelling unit in a multiple family building and every single-family renal dwelling shall have immediate access to two or more approved means of egress, leading to safe and open space at ground level, or as required by the laws of this state and the Village. (Ord. 94-1890, passed 10-11-94; Am. Ord. 99-2148, passed 1-12-99; Am. Ord. 18-4110, passed 12-20-18) Penalty, see § 98.99
Schiller Park § 98.22 establishes a comprehensive set of structural, sanitary, and safety standards that must be met before any rental dwelling — whether a single-family home, a unit in a multi-family building, or any other residential space — can lawfully be occupied. The rule covers a wide range of conditions, from weathertight foundations and rodent-proof windows to functioning plumbing, secure locking devices, dual means of egress, and clean interior and exterior spaces. Owners and occupants alike are prohibited from removing or discontinuing required services or utilities except during actual repairs or approved emergencies. The provision applies to both owner-occupants and landlords who let property to others.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Schiller Park § 98.22, compliant property operators generally ensure that all structural elements — foundations, roofs, walls, floors, windows, and doors — are kept weathertight, rodent-proof, and in good repair at all times. Operators also maintain functioning plumbing, working smoke detectors and other required equipment, secure locking devices on all operable windows and doors, and clean interior and exterior areas free of rubbish or garbage. Discontinuing utilities or required services in occupied units is generally impermissible except during active repairs or emergencies approved by the Building Official, and all egress pathways must remain unobstructed and operable from the interior without a key or special tools.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Schiller Park § 98.22 gives tenants the right to occupy a dwelling that meets detailed habitability and safety standards, including weathertight and rodent-proof construction, secure locks, functioning plumbing and utilities, clean common areas, and accessible emergency exits. If a landlord fails to maintain these conditions or shuts off a required service without authorization, that failure may constitute a violation of this provision, which carries penalties under § 98.99. Tenants who believe these standards are not being met may consider documenting the conditions, notifying the landlord in writing, contacting the Schiller Park Village building or code enforcement office, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options.
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 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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