City of Chicago Heating Cooling Ordinance

On June 22, the Chicago City Council passed a substitute ordinance related to heat and cooling requirements for apartment buildings, in reaction to the tragic May deaths of three residents of a senior high on the city’s north side.  The new regulations are intended to modernize the city’s heating and cooling ordinance to better account for extreme weather conditions.  The ordinance requires all 55+ apartment buildings, and buildings with over 100 dwelling units or 80 feet in height or taller, to have indoor common areas with cooling and dehumidification systems.  Buildings are required to meet this standard with temporary equipment immediately; permanent equipment must be installed by May 1, 2024.  Permanent air conditioning is required for all newly constructed residential projects.  Cooling and dehumidification systems are required to operate when the heat index exceeds 80 degrees. 

Click Here to access the ordinance.