Bloomington, IL Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Bloomington City Code Chapter 22, Article IX governs rat control for business buildings, defined broadly to include hotels, apartment buildings, offices, stores, restaurants, warehouses and similar structures. Section 22-902 requires all business buildings in the City to be ratproofed and freed of rats when directed by the Department of Health. Section 22-903 requires an occupant, once notified in writing of rat infestation, to immediately institute rat eradication measures and maintain them until the Department of Health confirms the premises are rat-free; failing to start those measures within three days of notice is itself a chargeable offense.

Section 22-904 gives an owner notified of a ratproofing need a deadline of no less than 15 days (or an extended written deadline) to complete the work, with failure to comply an offense. Section 22-905 lets the City, if the owner or occupant still does not comply, have the Building Inspector ratproof and exterminate at the owner's expense, recording unpaid costs as a lien after 30 days per § 22-905. Section 22-908 lets the Department of Health require rat-impervious floors where harborage is extensive, and § 22-913 separately bans stacking lumber, boxes, barrels or similar material on any premises, improved or vacant, unless elevated at least 18 inches off the ground on open racks so it cannot harbor rats. Section 22-914 sets the penalty for any violation of the article at the general penalty level in § 1-106 of the Code.