Section 1210 Rodent Protection

Text changes made to this section by the ordinance adopted February 19, 2020 are reflected in the first printing of the 2019 Chicago Building Code.

Buildings containing rooms and spaces in which people live, sleep or work, or in which feed, food or foodstuffs are stored, prepared, processed, served or sold, shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of this section.

Ventilation openings in exterior walls located less than 2 feet (610 mm) above the adjacent ground level shall be covered for their entire height and width with perforated sheet metal plates not less than 0.070 inch (1.8 mm) thick, expanded sheet metal plates not less than 0.047 inch (1.2 mm) thick, cast-iron grills or grating, extruded aluminum load-bearing vents, hardware cloth of 0.035 inch (0.89 mm) wire or heavier, or other approved material providing equivalent protection against the entry of rodents. The openings therein shall not exceed ¹/₄ inch (6.4 mm).

When closed, the maximum clearance between any exterior window, window jambs and sills, where the window sill is located less than 2 feet (610 mm) above the adjacent ground level shall be not greater than ³/₈ inch (9.5 mm).

Annular spaces around pipes, electric cables, conduits and similar openings in exterior walls shall be protected against the passage of rodents by closing such openings with cement mortar, concrete masonry or noncorrosive metal.

When closed, the maximum clearance between any exterior door, door jambs and sills shall be not greater than ³/₈ inch (9.5 mm).