13-200-060 Types of structures not permitted – Exceptions.

   Within the fire district limits no building or structure of frame (Type IV) construction or of noncombustible (Type II) construction shall be erected nor shall wood or other combustible veneers be permitted on buildings or structures within the fire limits with the following exceptions:

   (a)   Fences not exceeding ten feet in height;

   (b)   Temporary platforms, reviewing stands, builders' shanties and similar miscellaneous structures erected for a limited period of time as approved by the building commissioner;

   (c)   Coal and material bins, water towers and trestles constructed of heavy timber having minimum sizes conforming to the requirements of Type III-A, heavy timber construction;

   (d)   Storm enclosures not exceeding 12 feet in height, nor more than three feet wider than the entrance doors which they serve;

   (e)   Boathouses of Type II construction not exceeding 2,500 square feet in area nor 25 feet in height;

   (f)   A building occupied as a private garage, not more than one story in height nor more than 500 square feet in area, located on the same lot with a dwelling, provided that such building shall be placed at least three feet from the lot lines of adjoining property;

   (g)   Buildings of unprotected noncombustible construction, except when used for a hazardous occupancy, not exceeding 5,000 square feet in area when used for a business occupancy, not exceeding 5,000 square feet when used as a gasoline filling station, or 1,000 square feet in area when used for other occupancies, nor more than one story in height, and having horizontal separation of not less than 12 feet on all sides. Walls having a horizontal separation of less than 12 feet shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than one hour;

   (h)   Buildings of unprotected noncombustible construction having a horizontal separation of 30 feet on all sides. Walls having a horizontal separation of less than 30 feet but not less than 12 feet shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than one hour. Walls having a horizontal separation of less than 12 feet shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than two hours;

   (i)   Greenhouses not exceeding 400 square feet in area and not more than 15 feet in height erected on the same lot with and accessory to a building of another occupancy;

   (j)   Sheds open on the long side, not more than 15 feet in height nor more than 400 square feet in area, located at least ten feet from buildings and from adjoining lot lines;

   (k)   Porches, piazzas, or balconies on dwellings, not exceeding ten feet in width or extending more than three feet above the second-story floor beams, provided that no such structure shall be located nearer than three feet to an adjacent lot line or be joined to a similar structure of another building. Porches, piazzas or balconies may be replaced in the same location with construction of the same type as the existing porch, piazza, or balcony, irrespective of their proximity to interior lot lines or other buildings on the same lot, provided that all zoning requirements are met;

   (l)   Roofs over parking lots and bus stations, of unprotected noncombustible construction, where the roof is at least ten feet above the floor, and every 40 feet there is an open roof ventilation area six feet wide extending either the full length of the roof or the full width of the roof;

   (m)   Display signs as permitted in this Code;

   (n)   Cooling towers as permitted in Section 13-96-430.

(Prior code § 78.1-6; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 40; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1)

13-200-070 Type IV construction – Location on lot.

   In all zoned districts throughout the city, except within the fire districts, new frame (Type IV) construction, when permitted, shall be located not less than six feet from an interior lot line and not less than 12 feet from any other building on the same lot with the following exceptions:

   (a)   Except as required in the Zoning Ordinance, private detached garages and other accessory buildings having a floor area not exceeding 600 square feet may be located as required by Section 13-96-280 of this Code.

   (b)   Any frame building, except private detached garages and other accessory buildings, having exterior wall construction providing fire resistance of not less than one hour, may be located no less than three feet from an interior lot line, and no less than six feet from any other building on the same lot. Furthermore, any residential wood frame building may be located not less than two and one-half feet from an interior lot line and not less than five feet from another building on the same lot provided (1) the residential building has a ground floor area of not over 1,600 square feet and contains not more than three family units; (2) exterior wall construction of the residential building provides one hour fire resistance on one side and two hours on the other side; and (3) all windows in the subject building are separated from windows in adjacent properties by six feet or more.

   (c)   Existing frame porches may be repaired or replaced irrespective of their proximity to lot lines or other buildings on the same lot. Existing frame porches may be enclosed irrespective of their proximity to lot lines or other buildings on the same lot only when all zoning restrictions are met, and the requirements of Section 13-200-260 are met.

   (d)   Existing frame or noncombustible porches and stairs not exceeding three stories in height may be extended up one story to the roof level of the existing building irrespective of their proximity to interior lot lines or other buildings on the same lot, provided all zoning requirements are met.

(Prior code § 78.1-7; Amend Coun. J. 10-2-95, p. 8040; Amend Coun. J. 10-28-97, p. 54731)

13-200-080 Type II construction – Location on lot.

   In all zoned districts throughout the city buildings of noncombustible (Type II) construction shall be located not less than three feet from an interior lot line and not less than six feet from another building on the same lot, unless the wall facing such lot line or adjoining building is constructed of materials providing fire resistance of not less than two hours and with all openings protected, as required in Section 15-8-110.

(Prior code § 78.1-8)

13-200-090 Building projections.

   In all zoned districts throughout the city eaves, cornices, ornamental projections, chimneys, buttresses, pilasters, and similar projections, shall not project beyond the main building wall more than one-third of the distance to the interior lot line.

(Prior code § 78.1-9)

13-200-100 Historic preservation.

   When authorized by the building commissioner, any repairs, alterations and additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation or continued use of a building or structure may be made without conforming to all of the requirements of this Code when:

   (a)   The building or structure has been recommended for designation by the Commission of Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks as designated by the city council as a “Chicago Landmark” having special historical or architectural significance;

   (b)   Any unsafe conditions are corrected in accordance with approved plans. Unsafe conditions include those which in relation to the existing use constitute a hazard to safety, health, or public welfare, either within the building itself or to adjacent buildings, by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, fire hazard, disaster damage, or abandonment;

   (c)   The restored building or structure will be no more hazardous based on life safety, fire safety and sanitation than the existing building.

(Prior code § 78.1-10; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 40; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1)

13-200-110 Commission on Chicago historical and architectural landmarks.

   The commission on Chicago historical and architectural Landmarks shall examine and advise the building commissioner whether the proposed work meets with its approval for all applications for building permits for alterations, additions, repairs or demolition of any building or structure designated as a “Chicago Landmark” or located within a Chicago landmark district. Such examination shall be made after application for the permit is filed but before review by the department of buildings. This examination shall be based on the appropriateness of the proposed work in relation to the spirit of the landmarks ordinance and consistent with the most recent guidelines available from the commission on Chicago historical and architectural landmarks. In cases where the proposed work would remedy conditions imminently dangerous to life, health, and property, the commission shall approve the permit application for emergency repairs not withstanding other considerations relating to its status as a “Chicago Landmark”.

(Prior code § 78.1-11; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 40; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1)

13-200-120 Change of occupancy.

   When the occupancy of an existing building or portion thereof is so changed as to transfer it from one occupancy classification to another, the provisions of Sections 13-200-130 to 13-200-200 inclusive shall apply.

(Prior code § 78.1-12)

13-200-130 Occupancy separations.

   When the occupancy of an existing building is changed in part the occupancy separations shall be provided in accordance with Table 13-56-280. The provisions of Sections 13-200-120 through and including 13-200-200 shall not apply to those portions of the building that have no change of occupancy.

(Prior code § 78.1-13)