Chicago

Building Classification

Buildings are classified into four categories based on the exterior wall attachment system and the corrosion potential of any metal that is in direct contact with the exterior wall materials. Inspection intervals and the extent of the inspection effort are dependent on the building classification.

Critical Examination

Critical examinations, which require hands-on inspection on one 24 foot long scaffolding per elevation, are required at four, eight, or twelve years depending on the building classification. Critical examinations also require one inspection opening per elevation on buildings fifty (50) years or older for cladding that consists of masonry, stone or terra cotta that is affixed to the building structure with concealed corrodible or corrosion-resistant metal fasteners. Please refer to the "Short Form" Program section below for circumstances under which a Critical Examination may not be required.

Ongoing Inspection

In addition to the critical examinations, building owners are required to submit an ongoing inspection and repair program report to the city at the halfway point of the critical examination cycle. Hands-on inspections of the facade are not required for the ongoing inspection. 

"Short Form" Program

Under the March 1, 2016 Rules and Regulations, owners may choose to file Ongoing Inspection and Repair Program (“Short Form”) reports every second year and not file Critical Examination Program reports at category mandated frequencies, regardless of building category, provided that none of the following criteria apply:

• The building is vacant or subject to registration
• The building is the subject of an active case in the Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings or an outstanding order of compliance by the Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings for a violation; or is the subject of an active case by the City in the Circuit of Cook County or an outstanding order of compliance or consent decree by the Circuit Court of Cook County for violations of the Code
• The building has been classified as “unsafe and imminently hazardous” in the most recently filed report
• The owner of the building is more than one (1) year delinquent in filing an Ongoing Inspection and Repair Report “Short Form”

The “Short Form” Program was originally introduced in 2009. Owners of a building that meets any of the above criteria are ineligible to file an Ongoing Inspection and Repair Report “Short Form” and shall be required to file a Critical Examination Report.

First Report

Owners of new buildings are eligible to enter the "Short Form" Program without filing an initial Critical Examination report, provided none of the criteria listed above apply. The first report is due two years after initial occupancy. If an Owner elects not to enter the "Short Form" Program, the first Ongoing report must be filed at the half-way point of the Critical Examination interval following initial occupancy, followed by a Critical Examination report at the interval stated in the Ordinance. For example, a new Category 1 building can either enter the "Short Form" Program directly and file their first "Short Form" report two years after initial occupancy, or they can file their first Ongoing report at six years followed by a Critical Examination report at twelve years.

Report

The report for either the critical examination or ongoing inspection requires the inspector to classify the facade as Safe, Safe with Repair and Maintenance Program, or Unsafe and Imminently Hazardous. A special form is required for submission of an Ongoing Inspection and Repair Program report and a special format is required for the Critical Examination Program report.