Chicago, IL Building Safety: Pest Control (2026)

Chicago's rodent abatement requirements are among the most extensive in the country. Municipal Code Section 13-32-140 (New Construction Site Rodent Abatement) requires any construction site needing a building permit involving excavation to prepare a rodent control management plan before digging begins. At minimum, the plan must include above-ground bait boxes around the site perimeter, maintained by a State of Illinois-licensed structural pest control company, throughout the duration of excavation. For demolition permits, the building owner must hire a licensed pest control business to inspect for rodents before filing. If rodent activity is found, proof of abatement performed within 14 days of filing must accompany the permit application. The city's Bureau of Rodent Control (within the Department of Streets and Sanitation) operates a citywide rat baiting and surveillance program. Residents report rat sightings through 311 or the CHI 311 app. The bureau investigates reported sightings and places rodenticide directly in rat burrows. The city also requires all residents to use city-issued garbage carts with lids, which has been a key factor in reducing rat populations. Property owners who maintain conditions attracting rodents — such as improper garbage storage, overgrown vegetation, or open food sources — may be cited under the municipal code's property maintenance provisions (Title 13, Chapter 12).