DuPage County, IL Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- IPMC §§ 301.4, 301.5, 310.0
- Adopting section
- DuPage County Code § 8-900
- Vacant unfit structures
- Building Official can order closed
- Minimum heat
- 68°F, Sept. 1-May 1 (§ 602.2/602.3)
- Violation fine
- $100-$1,000 per day, Sec. 8-117.4
- Emergency action
- Court order without prior notice, Sec. 8-117.3
Summary
The Building Official can declare a DuPage County structure unfit for human occupancy over unsanitary conditions, vermin infestation, missing utilities or fire hazards under Sec. 8-900's Sec. 301.4, and can order a vacant unfit building closed up under Sec. 301.5 to stop it becoming an attractive nuisance.
301.4 Structure unfit for human occupancy. A structure is unfit for human occupancy whenever the Building Official finds that such structure is unsafe, unlawful or, because of the degree to which the structure is in disrepair or lacks maintenance, is unsanitary, vermin or rat infested, contains filth and contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitary or heating facilities or other essential equipment required by this code, or because the location of the structure constitutes a fire hazard to the occupants of the structure or to the public. 301.5 Closing of vacant structures. If a structure is vacant and deemed unfit for human habitation and occupancy, and is not in danger of collapse, the Building Official is authorized to issue a Violation Notice on the premises and order the structure closed up so as not to be an attractive nuisance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 14 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 4 gives the Building Official authority to find a structure "unfit for human occupancy" whenever it is unsafe, unlawful, or so disrepaired or poorly maintained that it is unsanitary, vermin or rat infested, contains filth and contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitary or heating facilities or other equipment the code requires, or its location itself is a fire hazard to occupants or the public. 5 lets the Building Official issue a Violation Notice and order it closed up so it doesn't become an attractive nuisance.
0 defines a broader "public nuisance" as a building that is a menace to public health, welfare or safety, structurally unsafe, unsanitary, lacking adequate safe egress, a fire hazard, dangerous to human life, no longer fit or habitable, or hazardous due to inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence or abandonment, or at risk of, or partially, collapsed. The Boarding Standard in Appendix A is adopted in full as the County's method for securing vacant structures. The Building Official (the Director of Public Works & Operations under Sec. 3, another factor bearing on a habitability finding.
Violations & Fines
A blight or unfit-structure finding is enforced through the same Sec. 8-117 process as other Building Code violations: a Notice of Violation naming the section violated and directing the owner to correct it or pursue permits/repairs within 14 days, with a $100 inspection fee and a right to an administrative appeal in that window. Uncorrected violations draw a fine of $100 to $1,000 per day under Sec. 8-117.4, and where an unsafe condition presents an immediate risk, the Building Official can skip straight to asking the County's legal counsel to seek a court order restraining, correcting or abating the condition under Sec. 8-117.3, including forcing repair, closure or demolition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building "unfit for human occupancy" in unincorporated DuPage County?
Can DuPage County close up a vacant, unsafe building?
What counts as a "public nuisance" building under DuPage County's code?
What happens if a cited property owner doesn't fix a blight violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in DuPage County
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