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Cook County, IL Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing duty
Maintain property free of lead hazard
Tenant notice
Written disclosure before lease renewal
Civil remedy
5x monthly rent plus attorney fees
Fine range
$100 to $1,000 per day
Jurisdiction
Countywide minus other delegate agencies

Summary

Cook County Code § 38-255 makes it every landlord's duty to keep rental housing free of lead hazards, with mandatory notice to tenants and lease renewal restrictions where hazards are found.

City-specific rules exist: Oak Park, Tinley Park, Arlington Heights, Skokie, Schaumburg, Evanston, Oak Lawn, and Chicago have their own repairs & habitability rules that differ from Cook County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

It is the duty of every Owner of a Regulated Facility to maintain the Regulated Facility in such a manner so as to prevent the existence of a Lead Hazard.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Under the county's Lead Poisoning Prevention Ordinance, every owner of a 'Regulated Facility', any residential building, dwelling unit, or common area, must maintain it to prevent a lead hazard (Sec. 38-255). Once the Cook County Department of Public Health issues a Mitigation Notice, the owner must post warnings in common areas, disclose the hazard in writing to renewing or prospective tenants, and mitigate the hazard before signing a new lease (Sec. 38-268, 38-269). A tenant harmed by an owner's failure to disclose can sue for five times the monthly rent plus interest, costs, and attorney's fees (Sec. 38-269(c)). The ordinance applies countywide outside any area covered by another IDPH-approved delegate lead agency.

Violations & Fines

Violating any provision, including failure to maintain, disclose, or mitigate, is punishable by a fine of $100 to $500 per day; a third violation within two years brings $500-$1,000 fines and up to six months in jail (Sec. 38-270).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this rule apply to rentals in Chicago?
No. The ordinance covers Cook County outside any area already served by another IDPH-approved delegate lead agency; check with your municipality's own health department for its program.
What must a landlord do once a lead hazard is confirmed?
Post warnings in common areas, give written notice to current and prospective tenants or buyers, and get a Certificate of Compliance from CCDPH before signing a new lease (Sec. 38-268, 38-269).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Cook County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsRental RegistrationSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningFew Restrictions

All Cook County rules

Compare Cook County to another location·View the Illinois rental property rules overview

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Repairs & Habitability in Cities Across Cook County

Chicago, ILEvanston, ILOak Park, ILSchaumburg, ILArlington Heights, ILSkokie, ILDes Plaines, ILOrland Park, ILTinley Park, ILOak Lawn, IL