Waukegan, North Chicago, Highland Park, and Zion require mandatory rental licensing and inspections. Libertyville, Gurnee, and Lake Forest do not require registration but enforce property maintenance codes. Annual fees $25-$100/unit.
Rental registration in Lake County varies dramatically by municipality. Waukegan requires a Residential Rental License under City Code Ch. 15, with annual inspections and a fee of roughly $75 per unit. North Chicago mandates a rental license with biennial inspections for fire safety, smoke/CO detectors, and habitability. Highland Park operates a Rental Housing Program (Code Ch. 98) requiring registration and periodic inspection. Zion and Round Lake Beach also license rentals. In contrast, Libertyville, Gurnee, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, and Lake Forest do NOT require rental registration but enforce International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) adopted locally. All Illinois rentals must comply with: Smoke Detector Act (425 ILCS 60) and CO Alarm Detector Act (430 ILCS 135) requiring working detectors; Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (410 ILCS 45) disclosure for pre-1978 units; Radon Awareness Act (420 ILCS 46) disclosure. Unincorporated Lake County applies the county building code but has no county-wide rental registry.
Operating unlicensed rental in Waukegan or Highland Park: fines $100 to $750 per day per unit. Failed inspection: 30-day correction notice, re-inspection fee $50-$150. Missing smoke/CO detectors: Class B misdemeanor under 425 ILCS 60/3, up to $1,500 fine.
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Lake County, IL
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