Cook County, IL Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Cook County passed the Rental Dwelling Ordinance on June 29, 2016, establishing a framework for rental property registration and inspection in unincorporated areas. The ordinance requires rental property owners to maintain dwellings in compliance with the adopted building codes (2009 IBC, 2009 IRC) and housing standards. The Department of Building and Zoning oversees rental dwelling compliance. Rental properties are subject to inspection for building code compliance. Properties must have working smoke detectors and CO detectors per state law. Lead paint disclosure is required for pre-1978 buildings under federal law. Landlords must provide habitable premises in compliance with the Illinois implied warranty of habitability. Violations result in the standard building code fines of $100 to $1,000 per offense.