Liability.
Municipal Code of Chicago § 14A-4-406.5
in effect14A-4-406.5 Liability.
The owner of the property where excavation work takes place and the person performing the work are jointly and severally liable for any damage, death, or injury caused by sagging, settling, cracking, or collapse of the public way or of the foundation or walls of an existing structure located within ten feet (3048 mm) horizontally of the excavation work, due to absent or insufficient reinforcement or bracing, or due to any other act or omission in the performance of the excavation work. For purposes of this section, “damage” includes incidental costs such as salvage, relocation and temporary housing of occupants of damaged properties, and costs incurred by the City in responding to any sagging, settling, cracking, or collapse. Any liability arising under this provision shall be in addition to any liability or remedy provided by any other law.
(Amend Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21791, Art. I, § 11; Amend Coun. J. 5-20-26, p. 43489, § 3)
Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2661187Fetched: 10/24/2026