West Chicago — Ch. 7 Housing § 7-17
Regulation of occupancy for dwellings
Operative Text
(a) Basement bedrooms, as well as other habitable basement space, shall be free of excess moisture, dampness in ground water seepage. All unnecessary moisture shall be removed by mechanical or gravitational means. (b) All walls and ceilings in bedrooms on any floor level shall have, as a minimum, a layer of one-half (½) inch gypsum board taped and finished, or equivalent, so as to provide a continuous surface with no breaks or gaps. (c) Bedroom doors shall be a minimum of one and one-quarter (1¼) inches thick and thirty (30) inches wide and six (6) feet eight (8) inches high for all bedrooms. The doors shall be provided with latching hardware, and be side hinged. No locks or locking mechanisms requiring the use of a key to operate are permitted.
West Chicago Ch. 7 Housing § 7-17 sets minimum physical standards for bedrooms and habitable basement spaces. Basement areas used for sleeping or living must be kept free of excess moisture and groundwater seepage, with mechanical or gravitational drainage required. Bedroom walls and ceilings must have at least half-inch taped and finished gypsum board (or equivalent), and bedroom doors must meet specific size minimums, include latching hardware, be side-hinged, and must not use key-operated locks.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under West Chicago Ch. 7 Housing § 7-17, compliant operators ensure that any basement bedroom or habitable basement space has functioning moisture control measures in place, whether mechanical or gravity-based. Bedroom walls and ceilings throughout the dwelling are finished with at least half-inch gypsum board, taped and continuous with no gaps. Bedroom doors are verified to meet the 1¼-inch thickness, 30-inch width, and 6-foot-8-inch height requirements, are equipped with latching hardware, are side-hinged, and do not feature any key-operated locking mechanisms.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
West Chicago Ch. 7 Housing § 7-17 gives tenants the right to bedrooms and habitable basement spaces that meet specific structural and safety standards, including moisture-free conditions, properly finished walls and ceilings, and doors of a defined size without key-operated locks. If a bedroom or basement space in a rental unit appears to fall short of these standards—such as persistent dampness, unfinished walls, or a door that is too narrow or has a key lock—tenants may consider documenting the conditions and raising the issue with local housing or code enforcement authorities. Tenant-rights organizations in the West Chicago area can help residents understand what options may be available under § 7-17.
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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