13-20-530 Original and subsequent inspections.

This article covers the requirements for approval of applications, issuance of permits, and supervision of all signs, signboards, and supporting structures, as defined below, which are constructed, erected, or being maintained under the provisions of this chapter.

The installation requirements for this equipment are covered in Section 14E-6-600.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. II, § 14)

13-20-510 Definitions.

For the purposes of this Article, the following additional definitions shall apply:

“Alter” or “altered” or “alteration” or “change” means any action pertaining to a sign or sign structure that requires the issuance of a new permit under Section 13-20-550, including but not limited to, any modification, relocation, re-erection, conversion from on-premise to off-premise (or vice versa), conversion from static image to dynamic image (or vice versa), conversion in dynamic technology, raising or lowering its height, changing its angle, adding extensions, enlarging its dimensions, deviating from approved permit drawings or supporting documents, or changing the address to which the permit applies.

“Owner or lessee of the real property” means: (1) the owner of the real property on which any on-premise or off-premise sign is located; or (2) any on-premise tenant of an owner who maintains an on-premise sign on such owner's real property. For purposes of this definition, the term “owner or lessee of the real property” shall not mean the owner or lessee of an off-premise sign asset or account or of an off-premise sign structure asset or account, or the lessee of air space or exterior wall space for an off-premise sign. The definition of “owner or lessee of the real property” added by the amendatory ordinance of 2017, effective January 1, 2018, is intended to clarify, rather than to change, existing law.

Signs. Sign(s) mean any name, identification, description, display, illustration, or character which: (1) is affixed to, or represented directly or indirectly upon, a building, structure, or piece of land; and (2) directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business. For purposes of this definition, the term “sign(s)” shall also include any item defined as a “sign” in Section . The language added to this definition by the amendatory ordinance of 2017, effective January 1, 2018, is intended to clarify, rather than to change, existing law.

Signs (electrical). Electrical signs are signs that are electrically illuminated.

“Dynamic image display sign” means any sign, or portion thereof, with characteristics that appear to have movement or that appear to change, caused by any method other than physically removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent movement or change is in the display, the sign structure itself, or any other component of the sign. This includes a display that incorporates a technology or method allowing the sign face to change the image without having to physically or mechanically replace the sign face or its components. This also includes any rotating, revolving, moving, blinking, or animated display and any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, “digital ink” or any other method or technology that allows the sign face to present a series of images or displays.

“Flat signs” means signs which are placed flat against the building or structure from which they are supported and which run parallel thereto. Signs supported from a canopy are deemed to be flat signs when they are single face.

“Ground signs” means signs supported by a structure which rests on or in the ground.

“Luminance” means the photometric measure of luminous intensity per unit area of light travelling in a given direction. Luminance is measured in candelas per square meters or “nits.”

“Motion” or “moving” means the depiction of movement or change of position of text, images or graphics. Motion or moving shall include, but not be limited to, visual effects such as dissolving and fading text and images, travelling, running sequential text, graphic bursts, lighting that resembles zooming, twinkling or sparkling, changes in light or color, transitory bursts of light intensity, moving patterns or bands of light, expanding or contracting shapes, and similar actions.

“Nits” means a unit of measurement of brightness or luminance. One nit is equivalent to one candela per square meter.

“Off-premise sign” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section .

“On-premise sign” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section .

“Projecting signs” means signs which project obliquely or at right angles from the building or structure from which they are supported.

“Roof signs.” Roof signs are signs which are erected on and supported by the roof of a building or structure.

“Static sign” means a sign that does not rotate, move, or have any appearance of changing or movement in the sign, sign components or structure. A “static sign” shall not include any sign that has any characteristics of a dynamic image display sign.

“Twirl time” means the time it takes for static text, images or graphics on a dynamic image display sign to change to different text, images or graphics.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 4-24-12, p. 25060, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 4-30-14, p. 80382, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. I, § 6)

Notes

17-17-02159	The hyper-linked material is not part of the Chicago Building Code infobase and therefore is not included herein. The material is included in other provisions of the Chicago Municipal Code. The complete Chicago Municipal Code is available for purchase from American Legal Publishing in both print and Folio® versions. Please click here for the appropriate American Legal order form in printable Adobe® PDF format. For additional information, you may visit American Legal's website by clicking here.
17-17-02108	The hyper-linked material is not part of the Chicago Building Code infobase and therefore is not included herein. The material is included in other provisions of the Chicago Municipal Code. The complete Chicago Municipal Code is available for purchase from American Legal Publishing in both print and Folio® versions. Please click here for the appropriate American Legal order form in printable Adobe® PDF format. For additional information, you may visit American Legal's website by clicking here.
17-17-02109	The hyper-linked material is not part of the Chicago Building Code infobase and therefore is not included herein. The material is included in other provisions of the Chicago Municipal Code. The complete Chicago Municipal Code is available for purchase from American Legal Publishing in both print and Folio® versions. Please click here for the appropriate American Legal order form in printable Adobe® PDF format. For additional information, you may visit American Legal's website by clicking here.

13-20-520 Penalties.

(a) (1) Any person who violates Section 13-20-550 pertaining to a static image display sign or its support structure shall be fined not less than $7,500.00 nor more than $10,000.00 for each offense, unless such person can show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the square footage of the sign is: (i) from 200 to 499 square feet, per face, in which case a fine of not less than $2,000.00 nor more than $5,000.00 shall apply; (ii) from 100 to 199 square feet, per face, in which case a fine of not less than $1,000.00 nor more than $2,000.00 shall apply; or (iii) from zero to 99 square feet, per face, in which case a fine in accordance with Section 13-12-040 shall apply. Any person who violates Section 13-20-550 pertaining to a dynamic image display sign, regardless of the size of the sign or its support structure, shall be fined not less than $10,000.00 nor more than $15,000.00 for each offense. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.

(2) The fines set forth in subsection (a)(1) of this section shall also apply, on a per offense and per day basis, to any person who continues to display or maintain any sign for which such person's sign permit has been revoked pursuant to Section 13-20-645.

(3) In all cases where no specific penalty is provided for in this Article, any person erecting, owning, operating, or maintaining, or in charge, possession or control of, any sign or its support structure who violates this Article shall be fined in accordance with Section 13-12-040 for each offense. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.

(b) In addition to any other fine or penalty provided, if, on three separate occasions in any 12-month period, any registered electrical contractor, a registered sign contractor, or bonded sign erector erects, installs, alters, repairs, enlarges, or illuminates any sign or structure covered by the provisions of this Article, without first having obtained any permit required under this Code, such person's certificate of registration, bond, and all permit privileges may be subject to suspension, under Section 13-20-600 of this Code, or revocation.

(c) In addition to any other fine or penalty provided, for any sign found not in compliance with the provisions of this Article, the Building Commissioner may compel the cessation of electrical current to any electrical equipment on such sign or structure.

(d) In addition to any other penalty or fine provided in this Code, any person who derives profits or revenue from one or more third parties from leasing space on a sign that is maintained, erected, installed, altered, repaired, or enlarged in violation of this chapter or Section 10-28-010 shall disgorge all profits or revenues derived from such sign upon determination, either by an administrative hearing officer or a court of competent jurisdiction, that the sign was unlawfully maintained, erected, installed, altered, repaired, or enlarged in violation of this Article or Section 10-28-010. The provisions of this section apply to the owner of the sign and the owner of the property on which the sign is located.

The disgorgement of profits or revenue shall be remitted to the City.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 5-2-01, p. 57403, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 7-27-05, p. 53211, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. V, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 4-24-12, p. 25060, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 4-30-14, p. 80382, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 2-22-17, p. 43876, § 20; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. IV, § 15; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. I, § 7; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61858, Art. VIII, § 10; Amend Coun. J. 3-28-18, p. 74459, Art. V, § 5)

Part B. Sign Inspections (13-20-530 et seq.)

13-20-530 Original and subsequent inspections.

The building department under the direction of the building commissioner shall issue permits for, and make original and subsequent inspections of, all signs, city digital signs, and associated sign structures as are covered by this article of the Code.

Subsequent inspections shall be made at least once every 24 months and as often as deemed necessary by the building commissioner based on a risk assessment to determine the electrical and structural safety of all signs and such structures as are covered by this article.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 18; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-12, p. 44485, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 2-13-13, p. 47133, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-30-14, p. 80382, § 3)

13-20-540 Permit inspection fees.

The permit fee for the original inspection of the signs described in Section 13-20-530 shall be as set forth in Section 13-32-310. The inspection fee for the subsequent inspection of the signs described in Section 13-20-530 shall be as follows:

(a) Signs or electrical signs projecting over the public way – $40.00 per sign, plus $1.50 per square foot of area of each face in excess of 100 square feet. The area of irregular shaped signs shall be computed using the area of the outer perimeter design of the signs.

(b) Signs or electrical signs on private property, illuminated signs flat against a building (flat signs), illuminated painted wall signs and illuminated signboards – $40.00 per sign, plus $1.00 per square foot of area in excess of 100 square feet.

(c) Signs or electrical roof signs – $40.00 per sign, plus for each sign over 100 square feet $1.00 per square foot for each square foot over 100 square feet. The fee shall be computed on the actual area of display surface.

(d) Signs or electrical ground signs, any part of which projects over the public way – fees shall be the same as computed for projecting signs as specified in subsection (a). Signs or electrical ground signs, entirely over private property – $40.00 per sign, plus $1.00 per square foot of area in excess of 100 square feet.

(e) Permits issued for the re-erection or alteration of any sign, electrical sign or illumination of signboards or illumination of flat or wall signs – $40.00 per sign.

(f) Permits issued for signs or electrical signs to be erected for a period not to exceed 60 days one-half of the sign permit fee. No fee shall be less than $20.00.

(g) The fee for cancellation of any sign permit shall be $20.00 and shall be deducted before the remaining amount is refunded.

(h) The fee for the inspection of signs described in Section 13-20-530 that are located at places for eating, as that term is defined in Section , shall be controlled by Section 4-8-042.

(i) No inspection fee shall be charged for city digital signs.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 12-4-02, p. 99931, § 9.2; Amend Coun. J. 9-29-04, p. 32144, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-07, p. 17167, § 32; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-12, p. 44485, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-15, p. 106130, § 11)

Notes

The hyper-linked material is not part of the Chicago Building Code infobase and therefore is not included herein. The material is included in other provisions of the Chicago Municipal Code. The complete Chicago Municipal Code is available for purchase from American Legal Publishing in both print and Folio® versions. Please click here for the appropriate American Legal order form in printable Adobe® PDF format. For additional information, you may visit American Legal's website by clicking here.

Part C. Permits (13-20-550 et seq.)

13-20-550 Permits required.

(a) Unless a valid permit has been obtained from the department of buildings, it shall be unlawful for any person:

(1) to own, maintain, erect, install, alter, repair or enlarge any sign, city digital sign, or associated sign structure covered by the provisions of this article;

(2) to commence to erect, install, alter, repair or enlarge any sign, city digital sign, or associated sign structure covered by the provisions of this article;

(3) to cause any sign, city digital sign, or associated sign structure covered by the provisions of this article to be erected, installed, altered, repaired or enlarged;

(4) to change a sign from a static image display sign to a dynamic image display sign (or vice versa); or

(5) to change from an on-premise sign to an off-premise sign (or vice versa).

(b) (1) It shall be the duty of every owner of any real property on which a sign is located to ensure that each sign maintained on the owner's property has a valid permit under this section and, if applicable, under Section 13-20-555, and is otherwise in compliance with this Article. It shall be a violation of this section for the owner of any real property to have or to permit to remain on such property any sign which does not have a valid or required permit(s).

(2) It shall be the duty of every lessee of any real property on which a sign is located to ensure that each sign erected or maintained by such lessee on the leased property has a valid permit under this section and, if applicable, under Section 13-20-555, and is otherwise in compliance with this Article. It shall be a violation of this section for the lessee of any real property to have or to permit to remain on such property any sign which does not have a valid or required permit(s).

(3) It shall be the duty of every person or entity who offers advertisement space on any sign to ensure that such sign has a valid permit under this section and, if applicable, under Section 13-20-555, and is otherwise in compliance with this Article. It shall be a violation of this section for any person or entity to offer advertisement space on any sign which does not have a valid or required permit(s).

(4) It shall be the duty of every person or entity who advertises on a sign to ensure that each sign on which they advertise has a valid permit under this section and, if applicable, under Section 13-20-555, and is otherwise in compliance with this Article. It shall be a violation of this section for any person or entity to advertise on any sign which does not have a valid or required permit(s).

(5) It shall be the duty of every general contractor and electrical contractor who works on a sign to ensure that each sign on which they work has a valid permit under this section and, if applicable, under Section 13-20-555, and is otherwise in compliance with this Article. It shall be a violation of this section for any general contractor or electrical contractor to work on any sign which does not have a valid or required permit(s).

(c) The owner of the real property, lessee of the real property, person or entity who offers advertisement space, person or entity who advertises, the general contractor and the electrical contractor shall be jointly and severally liable for any violation of this section.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, a sign permit is not required to erect, maintain, install, alter, repair or enlarge an on-premise sign that is:

(1) constructed wholly from paper, fabric, vinyl, or similar materials and attached to a window for no more than 60 days; or

(2) painted directly onto the window or made of plastic film or similar material and fully adhered to the window by means of adhesive or static cling for any duration

provided that the total area of all such signs in a single window does not exceed 25% of the glazing area of that window. Lettering that is painted directly onto the glass of a window and less than 2 inches in height will not be counted in the calculation of the 25% if it is an on-premises sign. For purposes of this subsection, a glazed panel in a door shall be treated as a window. The signs authorized by this subsection shall be counted in the calculation of the total sign area restrictions imposed by section .

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, a sign permit is not required to erect, maintain, install, alter, repair or enlarge an art mural that contains no business name, logo, slogan, trademark, social media identifier or other business identification in the mural itself. If the mural meets the definition of “graffiti” in Section 7-28-065(c), it may be registered pursuant to Section 7-28-065. Any art mural that contains a business name, logo, slogan, trademark, social media identifier or other business identification, including business sponsorship, in the mural itself shall be considered a sign and shall be subject to the provisions of this Code regarding sign permits, provided however that the artist or a partner entity may acknowledge the name of sponsors or partners of the art mural in a single, written, acknowledgement panel, not to exceed two square feet in area, adjoining the bottom edge of the art mural. Such acknowledgement panel shall not be classified as a commercial message, and is therefore exempt from zoning regulation as provided in Section of the Municipal Code of Chicago. This provision does not allow more than one acknowledgment panel in a single art mural or in adjacent art murals located on the same lot. Furthermore, any business name, logo, slogan, trademark, social media identifier or other business identification that is physically outside of the mural is subject to the provisions of this Code regarding sign permits.

(f) Signage contained in a signage matrix approved by the City Council within a planned development in which the primary use is a sports stadium or an exhibition or convention center does not require a separate permit but shall be subject to review by the department for compliance with the structural and electrical provisions of this Code.

(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, a sign permit is not required to erect, maintain, install, alter, repair or enlarge a sign that is inside a building and is legible only from the lot on which it is located and is not legible from the public way or adjoining lot.

(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, a sign permit is not required to erect, maintain, install, alter, repair or enlarge any official sign, public notice sign or warning sign required by law or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 18; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 15814, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p 47220, Art. III, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 12-17-08, p. 51294, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 1-13-10, p. 83228, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 4-24-12, p. 25060, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-12, p. 44485, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 2-13-13, p. 47133, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-30-14, p. 80382, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. IV, § 16; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. I, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 10-31-18, p. 87776, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 1-23-19, p. 94952, Art. I, § 9; Amend Coun. J. 1-23-19, p. 94977, § 1)

Notes

Disclaimer: This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality. American Legal Publishing provides these documents for informational purposes only. These documents should not be relied upon as the definitive authority for local legislation. Additionally, the formatting and pagination of the posted documents varies from the formatting and pagination of the official copy. The official printed copy of a Code of Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken. For further information regarding the official version of any of this Code of Ordinances or other documents posted on this site, please contact the Municipality directly or contact American Legal Publishing toll-free at 800-445-5588.

Hosted by: American Legal Publishing

Back to Code Library

Previous Doc

Next Doc