Building Violations
If you’re reaching out about a building that is in disrepair or otherwise unsafe, your request will be directed towards the Department of Buildings. If your complaint concerns a building currently under construction, please see our construction article. Click on the type of request that best matches your request:
Building Violations
It’s important that property owners complete adequate maintenance of buildings to make sure our homes and neighborhood are safe. You may have spotted a building violation if you see a building with missing or broken windows/screens, illegal apartments, falling bricks, peeling paint, or falling plaster. After you report a building violation, the Department of Buildings will send an inspector to the location to confirm whether the building is up to code. If the building is found in violation, it may be sent to housing court for remediation which can be a lengthy process.
Steps
Go to CHI311 and submit a request for “Building Violation.” You can also submit requests for electrical, plumbing, and elevator violations as relevant.
If you feel a building violation poses an immediate danger, email us at info@aldermanmartin.com. Please include pictures, a service request number, and any documentation.
If you need help submitting your request through 311’s online portal, view our help article on submitting service requests.
Additional resources
Abandoned or Vacant Building
If you’re reaching out about a building that is apparently vacant or abandoned, you can submit a request for an abandoned building. If a vacant building poses an immediate danger because of structural issues, you can submit a request for a vacant building inspection. An inspector will be sent out to see if there are any major violations that may require action like fencing off the property. The Department of Buildings will also attempt to contact the owner to register the building in the City’s registry.
Steps
If you need help submitting your request through 311’s online portal, view our help article on submitting service requests.
Have a suggestion about how to improve services?
We always welcome suggestions on how to improve city services, so we can pass the feedback along to the Department and the Mayor’s office. Please send feedback and suggestions to info@aldermanmartin.com. It’s important to know that our city budget plays a significant role in determining the quality and timeliness of service that departments can provide. You can sign up for updates about the budget process and our townhalls here.