City of Chicago Vacant Buildings

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Report Vacant Building to 311

Welcome

To reduce the negative effects of vacant buildings and vacant storefronts on residents and neighborhoods, the City of Chicago enforces registration and maintenance requirements for the owners of all vacant buildings, the owners of occupied buildings with one or more vacant storefront, and the mortgagees of certain vacant buildings. The City of Chicago takes improperly maintained vacant buildings and storefronts seriously. Using this website:

Members of the public can obtain and track information about registered vacant buildings and storefronts, as well as information about pending enforcement cases involving vacant building violations.
An owner of a vacant building can register the building as required by ordinance, pay registration fees, update contact information, and renew or terminate (deregister) an existing registration.
An owner of an occupied building with one or more vacant storefront can register the building as required by ordinance, pay registration fees, update contact information, and renew or terminate (deregister) an existing registration.
A mortgagee of a vacant building can register the building as required by ordinance, pay registration fees, update contact information, and renew or terminate (deregister) an existing registration.

Members of the Public

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

If you create an account, you can track developments by address. You can elect to receive e-mail updates about 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 .
Additional information about vacant buildings may be available at the Chicago Police Department CLEARMap website.

Vacant Building Owners

The City of Chicago requires that an owner of a vacant building register the building with the City when the building is vacant for more than 30 days. Owners of vacant buildings are also required to secure, insure, and maintain these buildings. Registrations must be renewed every six months. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in significant penalties.

Summary of Requirements for Owners of Vacant Buildings

Vacant Storefront Owners

The City of Chicago requires that an owner of a occupied building with one or more vacant storefront register the building with the City when the storefront is vacant for more than 30 days. Owners of buildings with vacant storefronts are also required to secure the vacant storefront(s) and insure and maintain the entire building. Registrations must be renewed every six months. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in significant penalties.

Summary of Requirements for Owners of Vacant Storefronts

Vacant Building Mortgagees

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. Registrations 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.

Summary of Requirements for Mortgagees of Vacant Buildings

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