Oak Lawn, IL Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Repair-or-demolish deadline
- 15 days from written notice
- Board referral window
- 15-30 days of inaction
- Court venue
- Circuit Court of Cook County
- Cost recovery
- superior lien on the property
- Emergency power
- immediate evacuation, repair or demolition
Summary
Oak Lawn declares any dangerous or abandoned building a nuisance and orders the owner to repair or demolish it within 15 days of written notice, or the Village can seek a Circuit Court order and bill the cost as a superior lien.
The Director of Office of Quality Control, the Chief Building Inspector or the Health and Sanitation Officer may, prior to the action of the Board of Trustees authorized in Section 6-9-8 hereof, give written notice to the owner or owner's agent of a dangerous or abandoned building or structure, as defined herein, to repair or demolish it within fifteen (15) days. Where, upon diligent search, the identity or whereabouts of the owner or owner's agent of any building or structure is not ascertainable, notice mailed to the person or persons in whose name such real estate was last assessed is sufficient notice under this Section.
B. If, at the end of no less than fifteen (15) days and no more than thirty (30) days from the date of the aforesaid written notice, the owner or owner's agent has failed to take positive action to put such building or structure in a satisfactory condition or to demolish it, the Director of Office of Quality Control shall notify the Village Manager of such failure, and the Village Manager shall advise the President and Board of Trustees that a dangerous or abandoned building or structure exists and that no action has been taken by the owner or owner's agent after written notice to repair or demolish
it. (1951 Code 21-15-1-21-15-8; Ords. 77-6-5, 81-12-19; 1985 Code)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Code current through: Ord. 26-09-22, passed April 28, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Village Code Title 6, Chapter 9, a building is "dangerous" if unsafe from faulty construction, fire damage, collapse risk, or unsanitary conditions unfit for habitation. Village officials post notice on the structure and give the owner 15 to 30 days to repair or demolish it. If the owner does nothing, the Board of Trustees can authorize the Village Attorney to seek a Circuit Court of Cook County order for demolition or repair, with costs becoming a lien on the property superior to prior liens except taxes. Officials may also order immediate evacuation or emergency demolition where collapse is imminent.
Violations & Fines
Removing, defacing or disturbing a posted dangerous-building notice is a Code violation subject to Village penalties. Occupying or using a posted building before it's made safe is separately prohibited. Unpaid repair/demolition costs become a lien on the property, recorded with the Cook County Recorder of Deeds or Registrar of Titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an Oak Lawn property owner have to fix a dangerous building?
Who pays if the Village demolishes a dangerous building in Oak Lawn?
Can Oak Lawn officials close a dangerous building immediately?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oak Lawn
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