Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 14A, 14B, 14F, 14G, 14M, 14N, 14R, 14X, 17 and 18 regarding various Building Code related provisions

Votes › Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards

Record number: SO2026-0024930
Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
Status: Final
Sponsor: Johnson, Brandon
Committee: Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards
Introduction Date: Apr 15, 2026
Final Action Date: Jun 17, 2026
Official record: Office of the City Clerk

Roll call: Passed Jun 17, 2026

49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent. On motion of Alderperson Lawson, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter was Passed. Voted at the City Council meeting of Jun 17, 2026.

Yea (49): Daniel La Spata (1), Brian Hopkins (2), Pat Dowell (3), Lamont J. Robinson (4), Desmon C. Yancy (5), William E. Hall (6), Gregory I. Mitchell (7), Michelle A. Harris (8), Anthony Beale (9), Peter Chico (10), Nicole T. Lee (11), Julia M. Ramirez (12), Marty Quinn (13), Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (14), Raymond A. Lopez (15), Stephanie D. Coleman (16), David H. Moore (17), Derrick G. Curtis (18), Matthew J. O'Shea (19), Jeanette B. Taylor (20), Ronnie L. Mosley (21), Michael D. Rodriguez (22), Silvana Tabares (23), Monique L. Scott (24), Byron Sigcho-López (25), Jessica L. Fuentes (26), Walter R. Burnett (27), Jason C. Ervin (28), Chris Taliaferro (29), Ruth Cruz (30), Felix Cardona Jr. (31), Scott Waguespack (32), Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (33), William Conway (34), Anthony J. Quezada (35), Emma Mitts (37), Nicholas Sposato (38), Samantha Nugent (39), Andre Vasquez Jr. (40), Anthony V. Napolitano (41), Brendan Reilly (42), Timothy R. Knudsen (43), Bennett R. Lawson (44), James M. Gardiner (45), Angela Clay (46), Matthew J. Martin (47), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48), Maria E. Hadden (49), Debra L. Silverstein (50)

Absent (1): Gilbert Villegas (36)

Plain-language summary

Written by AI (claude-opus-5-5) from the ordinance text only: SO2026-0024930 Ordinance.pdf. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

This substitute ordinance updates many parts of Chicago's building rules, organized into six articles covering mechanical and fuel gas codes, the energy code, an interim fire prevention code, technical corrections, residential construction, and effective dates. The provided text mainly shows Article I, which replaces the 2019 Interim Mechanical Code with a new 2026 Chicago Mechanical Code based on the 2024 International Mechanical Code, and replaces the 2019 Interim Fuel Gas Code with a new 2026 Chicago Fuel Gas Code based on the 2024 International Fuel Gas Code. These codes set rules for heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust, boilers, refrigeration, and gas piping in buildings.

Repeals Title 14M (2019 Interim Mechanical Code) and replaces it with the 2026 Chicago Mechanical Code, adopting the 2024 International Mechanical Code with Chicago changes.
Repeals Title 14G (2019 Interim Fuel Gas Code) and replaces it with the 2026 Chicago Fuel Gas Code, adopting the 2024 International Fuel Gas Code with Chicago changes.
Sets new ventilation rules, including minimum outdoor airflow for homes and other spaces, and air filters rated at least MERV 13 for ducted systems in many building types, including residential.
Gas piping must be steel (at least Schedule 40); plastic gas pipe, tubing, and fittings are not allowed.
Adds rules for refrigerants (including flammable types), ammonia refrigeration systems, boilers (operation requires a license under Chapter 4-344), and dryer and kitchen exhaust.

Who: Building owners, designers, contractors, and installers working on heating, cooling, ventilation, refrigeration, boiler, and gas systems in Chicago buildings, as well as the people who live and work in those buildings.

Where: City of Chicago (citywide)

Timeline

Jun 16, 2026: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards. The matter was recommended to Pass by controlling legislative body.
Jun 16, 2026: Substituted
Jun 17, 2026: Signed by Mayor, City Council. The matter was Signed by the Mayor.
Jun 17, 2026: Passed, City Council (49 yea, 0 nay), at the City Council meeting. On motion of Alderperson Lawson, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter was Passed.