The Rental Housing Inspection Program was created by the Galena City Council to enhance and preserve public safety. The program enforces minimum standards for basic equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, and heating, for safety from fire, for the use and amount of space for human occupancy, and for safe and sanitary maintenance of dwellings. Tenants, landlords, and the city all play a role in the implementation of this program.
All rental property in Galena, excluding single family rental homes with one rental unit, is required to maintain a valid Rental Certificate of Inspection in compliance with the Galena Residential Housing Inspection Code. This code establishes minimum standards for the use and safe occupancy of dwellings to protect, preserve and promote the physical and mental health of its residents. You may view the Galena Residential Housing Inspection Code as part of the online Galena Code of Ordinances through the link below. The rental housing code is found in Chapter 150.25.
Galena Residential Rental Housing Code
Obtaining a rental certificate is the responsibility of the property owner. An application for rental housing certificate of inspection may be downloaded below, obtained at City Hall, 101 Green Street, Galena, Illinois, or by calling City Hall at 815.777.1050.
Application for Rental Housing Inspection
Inspections of rental housing are conducted jointly by the City of Galena Building Department, the Jo Daviess County Housing Authority, and the Galena Fire Department. Each unit is inspected once every three years. Anyone occupying a rental unit they believe to be dangerous or substandard may contact the Building Department to ask for advice and/or an inspection. For more information about the rental inspection program, please view the frequently asked questions through the link below.
Rental Housing Inspection Frequent Asked Questions
Failure to obtain a certificate of inspection for a rental property could result in legal action with a fine of up to $750 per violation, per day.