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Oak Lawn, IL Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Standard adopted
Int'l Property Maintenance Code, 2018 ed.
Applies to
all non-owner occupied rentals
First inspection fee
none
Reinspection fees
$100 / $200 / $300
Enforced by
Division of Code Compliance

Summary

Oak Lawn adopts the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code as the controlling habitability standard for every dwelling, and non-owner occupied rentals must pass an annual Code Compliance inspection before an occupancy permit issues.

The international property maintenance code, 2018 edition, is adopted by reference by the village for the regulation of property maintenance in the village. One copy of said code has been and is now filed in the office of the clerk, and the same is herein incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein, and the provisions thereof shall be controlling. Where any provision of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 edition, conflict with any provisions of this village code, the provisions of the village code shall prevail and shall be applied as law of the village.

View official 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

The Village of Oak Lawn adopted the International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 edition, by reference under Village Code § 6-5A-2, making its sanitation, structural and occupancy standards controlling wherever the Village code itself is silent. For non-owner occupied residential units, including apartments, condos, duplexes and single-family rentals, Article B of the same chapter requires an annual Department of Community Development inspection confirming compliance with the property maintenance code before a Code Compliance Report and occupancy permit can issue; owners or tenants may refuse consent, forcing the Village to seek a Circuit Court warrant, and reinspections after a failed check cost $100, $200 and $300 for the first through third visits.

Violations & Fines

Renting without a valid non-owner occupied occupancy permit is a code violation; uncorrected habitability failures after reinspection can draw a code compliance ticket, housing court action, or a 30-day vacate order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What habitability code applies to Oak Lawn rentals?
The 2018 International Property Maintenance Code, adopted by reference under Village Code § 6-5A-2, sets minimum sanitation and structural standards; the Village Code itself controls if the two conflict.
Can Oak Lawn inspect a rental without the landlord's consent?
Only with a warrant. Village Code § 6-5B-3 lets an owner or tenant refuse consent, but the Director of Inspectional Services can then seek a warrant from the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Oak Lawn

All Oak Lawn rules

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