This web site contains information about the Chicago Exterior Wall Ordinance and related links that are contained in the official home page of the City of Chicago. Please note that the following links are in PDF format, which requires Adobe Reader, which is available as a free download.

The Exterior Wall Ordinance, which is included within Section 13-196 of the Chicago Building Code, was amended by the City Council on 4 September 2002. New Exterior Wall Rules and Regulations for exterior wall maintenance were adopted shortly thereafter. This ordinance applies to buildings that are 80 feet or more in height above grade (per Section 13-196-032).

To comply with this ordinance, Critical Examinations with close-up inspection are required every 4, 8 or 12 years depending on the materials used to construct the exterior walls. The information that must be included in a Critical Examination Report is listed in Rule 19. Short-form reports are required every two years in the interim between Critical Examinations. The City provides an Exterior Short-Form (Form EW-1 2005) for the ongoing facade inspection reports.

The information provided in this web site is general in nature and should not be relied upon as fact. Persons requiring specific information on facade ordinances should contact local authorities or contact us directly via email at: facadeordinance@wje.com
 

www.wje.com

Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston,
Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New Haven, New York, Princeton, San Francisco, Seattle,
Washington, DC