Use the “Search Vacant Buildings By” feature in the upper right corner of this page to find information about vacant buildings that have been registered or found in violation of the City’s vacant building requirements by the Department of Buildings. No account is required to use this feature.

• If you create an account, you can track developments on one or more vacant buildings. You can elect to receive e-mail updates about vacant buildings that you add to “My Watch List.”
• To report an improperly maintained or unregistered vacant building, please call and report your concern to 3-1-1 (from outside Chicago, call 312-744-5000).
• To find information about other building code violations, please visit the City of Chicago’s Building Permit and Inspection Records site .
• A list of all service requests the City has received regarding vacant buildings can be found at Vacant Buildings Open Data. This data set is updated nightly.
• Additional information about vacant buildings may be available at the Chicago Police Department CLEARMap website.

Register a Vacant Building as Owner  (login required)

The City of Chicago requires that an owner of a vacant building register the building with the City once it is vacant for more than 30 days. Each owner of a vacant building is also required to secure, insure, and maintain that building as required by ordinance. Registration must be renewed every six months. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in significant penalties.

The registered owner of a vacant building will receive a daily e-mail report of public service requests (3-1-1 calls) and police activity at the property, including 911 calls. If you register a property, you must deregister the property within 20 days if it is reoccupied, sold, or demolished.

Click here for a summary of the ordinance requirements applicable to owners of vacant buildings. The applicable ordinance can be found in Chapter 14X-12 of the Municipal Code of Chicago .

Register a Vacant Building as Mortgagee  (login required)

A mortgagee of a vacant building must register the building if the mortgage is in default and the owner has failed to register the building as required. A mortgagee who is required to register is also required to secure the building and perform certain maintenance. Registration must be renewed every six months. Register the building ONLY if it is vacant. Do not register a building as vacant when it is occupied – even if the mortgage is in default. If you are a mortgagee, always register your buildings as a MORTGAGEE.

A property must be deregistered if the loan is transferred or released or if the building is reoccupied, sold, or demolished. A new OWNER-type registration must be created by any person who takes title to a vacant building following a judicial sale or other foreclosure-related transfer, including a registered mortgagee, within 30 days of taking ownership.

Click here for a summary of the ordinance requirements applicable to mortgagees. The applicable ordinance can be found in Sections 14X-12-1205 of the Municipal Code of Chicago .