As temperatures in Chicago continue to fall, tenants in apartment buildings are reminded that the city’s Heat Ordinance is now in effect through June 1.
The ordinance requires landlords to provide adequate heat in all residential units, including houses, apartments, hotel rooms, and indoor workspaces such as toilet and bathroom areas. Building owners who fail to supply heat or maintain functional heating equipment face fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 per day, per violation. The reason for lack of heat does not matter—heat must be provided.
Tenants living without heat may file a complaint by calling 311 or submitting a request through the City’s 311 app or by calling 311. The Department of Buildings will inspect the property and take enforcement action against landlords or employers found to be in violation.
For residential buildings with central heating equipment and no central cooling, the indoor temperature must be at least 68°F from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and at least 66°F from 10:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. throughout the heating season.
From September 15 until the first night when outdoor temperatures fall below 45°F—or until October 15, whichever comes first—the indoor temperature must be at least 64°F at all hours. The same minimum of 64°F is required from the first day in May when outdoor temperatures exceed 75°F, continuing through the end of the heat season.
For residential buildings with individual heating equipment in each unit, the system must be capable of maintaining an indoor temperature of 68°F under typical Chicago winter conditions. Building owners are responsible for ensuring the equipment is functional and for maintaining windows, doors, and walls to retain heat.
Workspaces must also maintain a temperature of at least 68°F when occupied, except in areas where colder temperatures are necessary for the type of work performed, such as refrigerated warehouse facilities.
To determine compliance with the ordinance, temperatures are measured three feet above the floor and at least three feet from any exterior wall. All windows and exterior doors must be closed during the measurement. Cooking appliances and portable space heaters cannot be used to meet required temperatures, so these devices must be turned off during inspections.
The ordinance specifies that cooking appliances, domestic water heaters, and portable space heaters cannot be used to meet minimum heating requirements. Acceptable sources of heat include steam or hot water radiators, warm-air furnaces, and heat pumps. Fireplaces also cannot be used to meet heating requirements.
When portable electric space heaters are used for supplemental heat, they must meet specific safety guidelines. They must be placed at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including bedding, curtains, books, and clothing. Space heaters must sit on a solid, flat floor and not on furniture. They must not be used near flammable materials such as cleaning products, oils, or gasoline. Heaters must have an automatic shut-off feature that activates if the unit tips over, and they must be plugged directly into a wall outlet, never into an extension cord or power strip. Heaters must also be certified by a recognized consumer product safety testing laboratory such as CSA, ETL/Intertek, or UL.
Portable space heaters must be turned off when no one is in the room. City officials recommend unplugging heaters when not in use and caution against using them in children’s bedrooms. Any heater with a frayed or damaged cord should not be used.
Before using a portable heater, residents are urged to test nearby smoke alarms to ensure they function properly. Smoke alarms that malfunction or are more than 10 years old must be replaced.
If heating equipment fails during the required heat period, it is considered an immediate violation of the Heat Ordinance. Tenants without heat have the right to withhold rent under the Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RLTO). Lack of heat also risks freezing plumbing systems, so building owners must take heating failures seriously and act promptly.
Tenants should notify their landlord immediately if heating equipment is not functioning properly. Landlords are encouraged to maintain communication with tenants about repair timelines and may provide portable space heaters, electrical rent credits, or alternative accommodations while repairs are underway.
The Heat Ordinance also requires landlords to keep individual heating equipment inside houses or apartment units in good operating condition. Tenants with individual systems may be responsible for paying associated utility costs.