Oak Park, IL Building Safety: Door Locking Hardware (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing article
- Ch 12, Art 6, Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance
- Required hardware
- Dead latch, deadbolt, sash/ventilation locks, peepholes
- Covers
- Windows, exterior doors, basement hatchways
- Minor-repair cap
- $500.00 or one half month's rent
- Penalty
- $20-$750 per offense, per day
Summary
Oak Park's rental habitability standard requires every dwelling unit's windows, exterior doors, and basement hatchways to be substantially tight and fitted with locks or security devices, including dead latch locks, deadbolt locks, sash locks, and peepholes.
C. Tenant Right to Dwelling that Materially Complies with Habitability: ... ... 3. Habitability standards shall include, but are not limited to, any of the following circumstances: ... l. ... Windows, exterior doors, and basement hatchways with structural integrity, in sound condition, maintained in good repair and substantially tight with locks or security devices, including dead latch locks, deadbolt locks, sash and ventilation locks and front door windows or peepholes;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-9: Code current through: Ord. 26-159, passed - -2026).
Full Breakdown
Village Code Chapter 12, Article 6, the Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance, Section 12-6-5(C), gives every tenant the right to a dwelling unit that materially complies with habitability. ' This sits alongside related habitability items in the same subsection, such as adequate hall and stairway lighting and sound foundations and exterior walls, all administered together as one habitability package. Landlord Obligations under Section 12-6-10(A) require the landlord to maintain the premises in compliance with the Village's codes, including Section 12-6-5(C), and to promptly repair any deficiency such as a missing or broken deadbolt or window lock. 00) or one half month's rent, whichever is greater. 00, with each day of continued violation a distinct offense.
Violations & Fines
A landlord who fails to provide or repair required deadbolts, sash locks, or door hardware faces tenant remedies under Section 12-6-6 (damages, injunctive relief, or a self-help repair-and-deduct up to $500.00 or one half month's rent) plus a Village fine of $20.00 to $750.00 under Sections 12-6-16 and 1-1-5, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Oak Park require deadbolts on rental units?
Are peepholes required on rental front doors?
What can a tenant do if the landlord won't fix a broken lock?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oak Park
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