Residents in unincorporated Cook County can report building, zoning, and property violations to the Cook County Department of Building and Zoning. Reports can be filed online through the ePermit portal, by phone, or in person at 69 W. Washington St., Suite 2840, Chicago.
The Cook County Department of Building and Zoning handles code enforcement for unincorporated areas of Cook County. This department enforces the Cook County Building Code, Residential Code, Energy Code, Mechanical Code, Electrical Code, Plumbing Code, and Zoning Ordinance. Complaints can be filed regarding: construction without permits, unsafe structures, zoning violations, occupancy issues, and property maintenance problems. For properties within incorporated municipalities (like Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, etc.), residents must contact that municipality's code enforcement office. Cook County adopted the 2018 International Building Code with local amendments. The department investigates complaints and issues violation notices requiring compliance within 30 days.
Properties found in violation must be brought into compliance within 30 days. Fines and penalties are determined by the Cook County Administrative Hearings process.
Oak Lawn, IL
Oak Lawn relies primarily on a plainly-audible standard for residential noise enforcement, with numerical decibel limits applying to commercial and industria...
Oak Lawn, IL
Oak Lawn regulates residential driveways through its zoning and building codes. Driveways must be paved with concrete, asphalt, brick, or approved pavers, me...
Oak Lawn, IL
Oak Lawn does not recognize the Chicago 'dibs' tradition of saving shoveled parking spaces with chairs, cones, or other objects. Placing items in the public ...
Oak Lawn, IL
Oak Lawn requires all swimming pools capable of holding more than 24 inches of water to be enclosed by a barrier at least 4 feet high with self-closing, self...
Oak Lawn, IL
Oak Lawn prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing in residential districts. Chain link, wood, vinyl, and ornamental metal are generally per...
Oak Lawn, IL
Oak Lawn requires all dogs to be leashed when off their owner's property. Cook County requires all dogs over 4 months old to have a current rabies vaccinatio...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
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