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SCOPE AND PURPOSE

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 14X, ch. 14X-1
in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-101.1 Title.

14X-1-101.1 Title. This Title 14X of the Municipal Code of Chicago may be referred to as the "Chicago Minimum Requirements for Existing Buildings." Throughout Title 14X it is referred to as "this code" and the entire Municipal Code of Chicago is referred to as "the Municipal Code."

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-101.2 Scope.

14X-1-101.2 Scope. This code establishes minimum requirements for the condition and maintenance of existing buildings, existing structures, and outdoor areas and the respective responsibilities of owners and occupants. This code also provides minimum requirements for providing light, ventilation, space, security, electricity, plumbing, heating, cooling, sanitation, weather protection, and fire protection in occupied buildings and the maintenance of vacant structures. These requirements apply both prospectively and retrospectively and are a continuation of similar requirements enacted as provisions of prior Chapters 78 and 13-196 of the Municipal Code. Exception: Requirements for active construction sites containing only unoccupied structures are located in Chapter 33 of the Chicago Building Code.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-101.3 Intent.

14X-1-101.3 Intent. The purpose of this code is to protect public health, safety, and welfare where they are affected by the continued use, occupancy, and maintenance of structures and outdoor areas.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-101.4 Occupancy of unsafe premises prohibited.

14X-1-101.4 Occupancy of unsafe premises prohibited. A person may not occupy as owner-occupant or allow another person to occupy premises that are not in a clean, sanitary, and safe condition. A person may not offer to another for occupancy any premises that will not be in a clean, sanitary, and safe condition at the time of occupancy.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-102.1 General.

14X-1-102.1 General. This code applies to all existing structures and outdoor areas. Existing structures and outdoor areas that do not meet the minimum requirements of this code must be altered or repaired to meet those requirements.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-102.1.1 Stricter requirements.

14X-1-102.1.1 Stricter requirements. In addition to meeting the requirements of this code, existing structures must also comply with any stricter code requirements that were in effect and applicable at the time of original construction and any subsequent alteration. Exception: Existing structures that have been altered in compliance with the Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code or equivalent requirements that were in effect at the time of alteration and that remain in compliance with these requirements are not required to comply with an inconsistent requirement that was in effect at the time of original construction.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-102.2 Additional requirements.

14X-1-102.2 Additional requirements. In addition to meeting the requirements of this code, existing structures and outdoor areas may be required to meet additional requirements identified in Sections 14X-1-102.2.1 through 14X-1-102.2.5.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-102.2.2 Business licenses.

14X-1-102.2.2 Business licenses. Nothing in this code prevents application of or modifies any stricter requirement of the Municipal Code related to operation of a licensed business.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-102.2.3 Nuisances.

14X-1-102.2.3 Nuisances. Nothing in this code prevents application of or modifies any stricter requirement of the Municipal Code regulating or prohibiting nuisances.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-102.2.5 State law.

14X-1-102.2.5 State law. If a law or regulation enacted by the State of Illinois regarding the condition and maintenance of existing structures and outdoor areas is inconsistent with or conflicts with any requirement of this code, this code is an exercise of the home rule authority of the City of Chicago and preempts the inconsistent requirement of Illinois law to the maximum extent allowed by the Illinois Constitution.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-103.1 General.

14X-1-103.1 General. Owners and occupants must comply with this code as specified in Sections 14X-1-103.2 and 14X-1-103.3 unless a section of this code specifically provides for a different allocation of responsibility.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-103.2 Responsibilities of owners.

14X-1-103.2 Responsibilities of owners. Every owner must: 1. Maintain existing structures and outdoor areas as required by this code and the Chicago Fire Prevention Code. 2. Provide and maintain all systems, equipment, and fixtures required by this code. 3. Maintain shared and public areas of premises in a clean, sanitary, and safe condition. 4. Exterminate insects, rodents, and similar pests as specified in Section 14X-3-308. 5. Provide written information to occupants about their obligations, if any, to test and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-103.2.1 Liability to city.

14X-1-103.2.1 Liability to city. An owner remains liable to the City for violation of duties imposed by this code even if the same duty is imposed on the occupant by this code or the owner has contracted with the occupant or another person to assume the duty.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-103.3 Responsibilities of occupants.

14X-1-103.3 Responsibilities of occupants. Every occupant must, with respect to the portion of the premises that the occupant is entitled to exclusively occupy: 1. Keep the premises in a clean, sanitary, and safe condition. 2. Keep all electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems and fixtures, whether or not supplied by the owner, in a clean and sanitary condition. 3. Keep all electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems and fixtures supplied by the occupant in safe condition and notify the owner if any electrical, mechanical, or plumbing system or fixture supplied by the owner is in unsafe condition. 4. Use reasonable care in the use and operation of electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems and conveyance devices. 5. Exterminate insects, rodents, and similar pests as specified in Section 14X-3-308. 6. Dispose of rubbish and garbage as specified in Section 14X-3-307. 7. Hang and remove insect screens required by this code. Exception: Where the owner has agreed in writing to perform this task. 8. Avoid placing on the premises any material that creates a fire hazard or otherwise endangers the health or safety of any other occupant. 9. Avoid placing on the premises any material that harbors insects, rodents, or similar pests. 10. Prevent the premises from being used or occupied in a manner prohibited by this code or the Chicago Zoning Ordinance. 11. Provide heat in accordance with Section 14X-8-802. Exceptions: 1. Where the owner has agreed in writing to supply heat. 2. Where the owner is required to supply heat by Section 14X-8-802.2.2 or 14X-8-802.3.2. 12. Where the owner has provided smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms that require removable batteries, provide and maintain functioning batteries for each alarm. Exception: The owner is responsible for testing and maintaining devices that are part of a fire alarm system. 13. Regularly test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms and notify the owner in writing of any deficiencies. Exception: The owner is responsible for testing and maintaining devices that are part of a fire alarm system. (Amend Coun. J. 2-26-21, p. 28049, § 3)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-104.1 General.

14X-1-104.1 General. Where a condition report is required by this code, it must be prepared by a registered design professional, signed and sealed by the registered design professional, and based on a physical inspection of the premises performed by or under the direct supervision of the registered design professional in accordance with requirements of the Chicago Construction Codes, accepted industry standards, and applicable rules adopted by the building official. Exceptions: 1. A condition report regarding an electrical system or device, including a fire alarm system, may be prepared, signed, and sealed by a professional engineer or prepared and signed by a licensed supervising electrician. 2. A condition report regarding a mechanical system or device may be prepared, signed, and sealed by a professional engineer or prepared and signed by a person approved to prepare such a report based on professional qualifications and experience. 3. A condition report regarding a plumbing system or device may be prepared, signed, and sealed by a professional engineer or prepared and signed by a licensed plumber. 4. A condition report regarding a non-electrical fire protection system or device may be prepared, signed, and sealed by a professional engineer or prepared and signed by a person approved by the fire code official to prepare such a report based on professional qualifications and experience.* 5. A condition report regarding a conveyance device may be prepared, signed, and sealed by a professional engineer or prepared and signed by a licensed supervising elevator mechanic.* (Amend Coun. J. 6-17-26, p. 45214, Art. IV, § 42) * Editor’s note – Misnumbered in Coun. J. 6-17-26, p. 45214, Art. IV, § 42. Corrected by the editor. Future legislation will correct if needed.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-104.2 Contents.

14X-1-104.2 Contents. A condition report must identify the date, nature, scope, and findings of the inspections and investigations conducted. A condition report must identify each technical principle or standard that is the basis of any professional judgment expressed in the report.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-104.3 Review.

14X-1-104.3 Review. A condition report must be submitted to the building official for review. The building official may reject a condition report that does not comply with any requirement of Section 14X-1-104, that is not based on widely-accepted technical principles and standards, or that does not, in the opinion of the building official, adequately document the physical investigation that was conducted or the basis for the judgment expressed.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-104.4 Filing fee.

14X-1-104.4 Filing fee. A filing fee, as specified in Section 603.5 of the Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, must be paid at the time of submitting a condition report to the building official.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 14X-1-105.1 General.

14X-1-105.1 General. A violation of this code is subject to the penalties and remedies provided in the Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions.
Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2675133Fetched: 10/24/2026

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