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Cicero, IL Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Trigger
Any real property transfer
Application deadline
15 days before transfer
Repair window
9 months
Single-family inspection fee
$100.00
Late-sale impact fee
$500.00
False-info fine
$250.00-$750.00

Summary

Cicero requires a building inspection before nearly every property sale: Section 22-284 makes any person transferring real property apply for a Building Commissioner inspection confirming compliance with the housing, building, electrical, plumbing, zoning, fire, mechanical, accessibility and energy codes.

Any person transferring real property within the corporate boundaries of the town shall be required to apply to the building commissioner for an inspection of the real property being sold. Upon receipt of the application for such inspection and payment of the inspection fee, as provided in section 22-286, the building commissioner shall cause such property to be inspected. If the property inspected is found to be in full compliance with the town's minimum housing code, building codes, electrical code, plumbing code, zoning codes, fire prevention codes, mechanical code, accessibility code, energy code...the building commissioner may then issue a certificate stating that the property is in compliance with such codes.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 121).

Full Breakdown

Section 22-284(a) requires anyone transferring real property within the town to apply to the Building Commissioner for an inspection before the sale, pay the inspection fee set in Section 22-286, and obtain a certificate showing the property complies with the town's minimum housing code, building codes, electrical code, plumbing code, zoning codes, fire prevention codes, mechanical code, accessibility code and energy code, plus sewer and water pollution-control requirements. 00 administrative impact and filing fee. Applications for the pre-sale inspection must be filed at least 15 days before the transfer under Section 22-284(d), and a certificate of compliance does not carry over to a later sale; every new transfer needs its own certificate under subsection (e). 00 each.

Violations & Fines

Section 22-283 fines anyone who willfully violates the inspection article not less than $50.00 nor more than $750.00 per offense, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense, and the town may also sue to compel compliance. Knowingly submitting false information on a certificate of compliance or occupancy application draws a fine of $250.00 to $750.00. If corrections are not completed within the agreed nine months, the Building Commissioner can revoke the occupancy permit, and a seller who transfers title before completing agreed repairs owes an added $500.00 impact fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cicero require an inspection before selling a house?
Yes. Section 22-284 requires anyone transferring real property in the Town of Cicero to apply for a Building Commissioner inspection and obtain a certificate of compliance before the sale, confirming the property meets the town's housing, building, electrical, plumbing, zoning, fire, mechanical, accessibility and energy codes.
What happens if my Cicero property fails the pre-sale inspection?
Section 22-284(b) lets the Building Commissioner require the responsible party to sign a sworn affidavit acknowledging the violations, complete repairs within nine months, possibly post an escrow deposit, and pay a $100.00 administrative filing fee.
How much does a Cicero certificate of compliance inspection cost?
Section 22-286 sets the fee at $100.00 for a single-family home, $30.00 for each additional apartment, and $35.00 for an accessory structure; commercial property up to 5,000 square feet is also $100.00, plus one cent per additional square foot.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Cicero

All Cicero rules

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