Chicago Violation Data
Chicago Building Violation Data 2026.
Chicago's official building-violations dataset contained 27,132 records dated in 2026 when retrieved August 12, 2026: 24,991 marked OPEN and 2,141 marked COMPLIED. The dataset updates daily, so these are a dated snapshot—not the current status of any particular property.
What matters first
The scope has to match the notice.
2026-dated records
All statuses in the 2026 date filter.
Marked OPEN
Status label as stored by the City dataset.
Marked COMPLIED
Status label as stored by the City dataset.
COMPLAINT category
Inspection category, not a unique-building count.
PERIODIC category
Inspection category, not a unique-building count.
PERMIT category
Inspection category, not a unique-building count.
The query counted records where violation_date was between January 1 and December 31, 2026, grouped by violation_status. A separate query of all dates returned 1,156,610 records marked OPEN; that figure spans the dataset's historical coverage and should not be confused with violations issued in 2026.
For 2026-dated records, inspection categories were COMPLAINT 18,753, PERIODIC 6,087, and PERMIT 2,292. Category labels are reproduced as the City dataset stores them.
The most frequent 2026 violation descriptions in the snapshot included electrical and hydraulic elevator maintenance records, arrange-premise-inspection records, exterior-wall repair, porch-system repair, nuisance removal, fence repair, exterior-stair repair, interior wall/ceiling repair, plan-and-permit records, and window maintenance.
What the plan must answer
- 01
Retrieval date: August 12, 2026
- 02
Dataset endpoint: wicw-drfk
- 03
2026 filter: violation_date from 2026-01-01 through 2026-12-31
- 04
Counts describe records, not unique buildings or cases
Correction path
From cited condition to documented follow-through.
Read and route. Identify the property, authority, cited provision, dates, inspection record, and any hearing or court instructions. Put legal questions with counsel. Put safety, design, trade, permit, and construction questions with the qualified parties who own them.
Inspect and scope. Verify the cited condition and connected systems before pricing. Record access limits and concealed conditions. Separate emergency protection, permanent correction, restoration, testing, and inspection tasks.
Coordinate and document. Track plans, permits, registered or licensed parties, owner approvals, occupant access, work progress, changes, photos, tests, and inspections in one written record.
Verify the official status. Contractor completion does not change a government record. Use the responsible department, municipality, hearing, or court process to verify the record and retain the result.
Direct answers
Questions owners ask first.
How many Chicago building-violation records were dated in 2026?
The August 12, 2026 snapshot returned 27,132 records with a 2026 violation date: 24,991 marked OPEN and 2,141 marked COMPLIED. The source updates daily, so cite the retrieval date whenever using the number.
Does one record equal one building?
No. The dataset is a record-level source and a property can have multiple violations, inspections, codes, or dates. These counts should not be described as a number of unique buildings without a separate property-level method.
Can this data confirm my building is compliant?
No. Use the official property record and responsible department for a specific building. Dataset status labels can be useful research inputs, but the authority controls the current official record and any legal consequence.