Bracing for adjacent structures.
Municipal Code of Chicago § 14A-4-406.3
in effect14A-4-406.3 Bracing for adjacent structures.
Where excavation work that requires a permit will be within 5 feet (1524 mm) of any portion of an existing structure, the owner of the property to be excavated or the person performing the excavation work must reinforce or brace the adjacent existing structure in order to prevent sagging, settling, cracking, or collapse of its foundation and walls. The owner of the property to be excavated is responsible for the entire cost of the reinforcement or bracing. The reinforcement or bracing must be done in a manner consistent with the provisions of the Chicago Construction Codes. Bracing, including earth retention systems, required by this section must be designed by a registered design professional.
(Amend Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21791, Art. I, § 10)
Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2661182Fetched: 10/24/2026