Lake County, IL Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 94.06(B) unfit living quarters
- Mold provision
- § 94.14 uncorrected mold in rentals
- Who decides unfitness
- Health Officer determination
- Geographic reach
- Countywide, incorporated and unincorporated
- Enforcement forum
- Circuit Court or administrative adjudication
Summary
Lake County's public nuisance ordinance makes it illegal to rent housing the Health Officer finds unfit for habitation, including units lacking potable water, working wastewater disposal, or with uncorrected mold conditions.
Renting or leasing unfit living quarters. It is a public nuisance to rent or lease quarters for human habitation that, as determined by the Health Officer, are unfit for human habitation, or present/contain conditions that are detrimental to the health of the inhabitants, including but not limited to: a lack of potable water supply or a lack of adequate means of wastewater disposal.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 26-0618, passed 6-9-2026 | State legislation current through ILCS Pamphlet 2025 #5).
Full Breakdown
Under Lake County Code § 94.06(B), it's a public nuisance to rent or lease living quarters the Health Officer determines unfit for human habitation, including units lacking a potable water supply or adequate wastewater disposal. Section 94.14 separately makes it a nuisance to allow conditions that support mold in a rental property. Unlike most of this nuisance chapter, these two sections are not limited to unincorporated Lake County, § 94.02(A) applies them countywide, incorporated and unincorporated, subject to the enforcing department's jurisdictional or contractual authority. Violations go to the 19th Judicial Circuit Court or Lake County administrative adjudication, with separate fines per offense and per day, plus possible injunctive relief.
Violations & Fines
Cited as a nuisance violation before the 19th Judicial Circuit Court or through county administrative adjudication; each day a violation continues is a separate offense with its own fine, and the county can seek injunctive relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out a unit without running water in Lake County?
Does this rule apply inside cities like Waukegan or Highland Park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Illinois rental property rules overview
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