ARTICLE I. GENERAL LICENSE REQUIREMENTS (4-4-005 et seq.)

* Editor's note – Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 14, amended Ch. 4-4, §§ 4-4-005 – 4-4-350, to read as herein set out and repealed §§ 4-4-010 – 4-4-390, in their entirety. Prior to inclusion of these provisions, Ch. 4-4 pertained to general licensing provisions.

Article I. General License Requirements

4-4-005 Definitions.

4-4-010 License – Required – Violation – Penalty.

4-4-015 Closure order – Violation – Penalty.

4-4-016 Classification of licenses.

4-4-020 Limited business license – Required for businesses not provided for by other Code provisions – License fee.

4-4-022 Emerging businesses – Non-traditional business activity – Permit requirements.

4-4-023 License review advisory group.

4-4-040 License – Issuance.

4-4-045 Pre-license issuance – Proximity restriction measurement – Application – Fee.

4-4-050 License – Application.

4-4-060 License – Application and renewal – Inspection or investigation.

4-4-070 License – Application – Affidavits.

4-4-080 Bonds.

4-4-084 License suspension or revocation pending payment of fines, costs or other sum of money owed to the city.

4-4-100 Fast-track business sign.

4-4-112 Unlicensed businesses – Liability of property owner.

4-4-120 Unlicensed businesses – Liability of third-party facilitator.

4-4-130 Rebate or refund of fees.

4-4-135 Reinspection fees.

4-4-150 Indebtedness – License ineligibility.

4-4-152 Child support delinquencies.

4-4-160 Mailing of license and related material.

4-4-170 Change of location.

4-4-175 Change of officers.

4-4-176 Change of business name.

4-4-180 Adjustments.

4-4-190 Nontransferability – Unlawful transfer or use.

4-4-200 License insignia – Loss – Associated fees.

4-4-210 License insignia – Display.

4-4-230 License certificates and insignia – Alteration or removal prohibited.

4-4-240 Customer service placards required to be displayed.

4-4-250 Expiration.

4-4-260 License renewal.

4-4-265 Remediation conferences.

4-4-270 Building permit privileges – Suspension.

4-4-280 License revocation.

4-4-281 License and registration rescission.

4-4-282 License suspension or revocation – Illegal activities on premises.

4-4-283 Closure due to dangerous or hazardous conditions – Effect on license or application.

4-4-285 Public safety threat – Summary closure – When authorized.

4-4-289 Effect of revocation.

4-4-290 Enforcement of license ordinances.

4-4-295 Unlawful interference with enforcement.

4-4-299 Trademark violations.

4-4-300 Hazardous occupancies.

4-4-305 Inspections – Duties of licensee.

4-4-306 Illegal conduct on licensed premises – Cooperation with police.

4-4-307 Fingerprinting.

4-4-310 Public ways – Maintenance – Littering prohibited – Snow and ice removal.

4-4-312 Businesses – Chronic illegal activities premises.

4-4-313 Businesses that are or cause a nuisance.

4-4-314 Restrictions on display of merchandise.

4-4-320 License denial, revocation or suspension for certain offenses.

4-4-322 License or registration – Suspension or revocation by building commissioner.

4-4-332 Bed bugs.

4-4-333 Synthetic marijuana.

4-4-334 Synthetic stimulants.

4-4-335 Spray paint cans and markers.

4-4-336 Improper business signs.

4-4-337 Illegal use of parking facilities.

4-4-338 Cell phones and other wireless communication equipment.

4-4-339 Walk-up service windows.

4-4-350 Violation – Penalty.

ARTICLE I. GENERAL LICENSE REQUIREMENTS (4-4-005 et seq.)

4-4-005 Definitions.

As used in this Title 4, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Applicant" means any person applying for a license. The term "applicant" includes all controlling persons.

"Board of health" means the board of health of the City of Chicago.

"Building code" or "building provisions of this Code" shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 1-4-090.

"Chicago Zoning Ordinance" means the City of Chicago Zoning Ordinance set forth in Title 17 of this Code.

"City" means the City of Chicago.

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection or his or her designee.

"Commissioner of Public Health" means the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health of the City of Chicago or his or her designee.

"Controlling person(s)" means any person who (1) is an officer, director, manager, managing member, partner, general partner or limited partner of an entity; or (2) owns, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate ownership entities, 25 percent or more of the interest or voting shares in an entity seeking or holding a license; or (3) is among the top three persons holding the highest percentage of ownership interest in an entity; or (4) controls or directs in any manner the actions of a legal entity.

"Department" means the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

"Department of Health" or "Department of Public Health" means the Department of Public Health of the City of Chicago.

"Fire Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Fire Department of the City of Chicago or his or her designee.

"Licensee" means any person licensed or required to be licensed by the City, including all controlling persons.

"Mayor" means the Mayor of the City of Chicago or the Mayor’s designee.

"Minor cannabis offense" means a violation of Section 4 or 5 of the Cannabis Control Act, 720 ILCS 550/1, et seq., concerning not more than 30 grams of any substance containing cannabis, provided the violation does not include a penalty enhancement under Section 7 of the Cannabis Control Act and is not associated with an arrest, conviction or other disposition for a violent crime as defined in subsection (c) of Section 3 of the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act, 725 ILCS 120/1, et seq.

"Person" has the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 1-4-090.

(Added Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 14; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-26-19, p. 11547, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 2-24-21, p. 27657, Art. III, § 1)

4-4-010 License – Required – Violation – Penalty.

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any business for which a City of Chicago license is required without first having obtained the required license(s) for such business. Each location at which a business operates must be separately licensed. Except as otherwise provided in Title 4, any person violating this section shall be fined not less than $250.00 nor more than $500.00 for each offense. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.

(Added Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 14; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. V, § 3)

4-4-015 Closure order – Violation – Penalty.

(a) The Commissioner is authorized to order a business closed, in whole or in part:

(1) for engaging in unlicensed business activity, until all the required licenses are obtained, or

(2) for failing to pay any required license fee or to renew a license. The Commissioner shall issue a 10-day notice of violation before any closure under this subsection (a)(2) may take place.

For the purposes of this Chapter, a business that has been issued a cease and desist order for a particular business activity shall be considered closed as to that business activity.

(b) If the Commissioner orders a business closed, whether in its entirety or as to one or more business activities, the Commissioner shall post a notice or sign on the licensed premises indicating that the business is closed in its entirety or as to specific business activities and is prohibited from engaging in them. No person shall remove any such notice or sign unless and until the business reopens, whether in its entirety or as to the closed business activities, in compliance with the Code.

(c) Any person who continues to operate a business which has been closed, in whole or in part, by the Commissioner pursuant to this section shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500.00 nor more than $1,000.00 for each offense. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. In addition to any other penalty provided by law, such violation may also be punishable as a misdemeanor by incarceration in the county jail for a term not to exceed six months under the procedures set forth in Section 1-2-1.1 of the Illinois Municipal Code and under the provisions of the Illinois Code of Criminal Procedure.

(Added Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 14; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. V, § 4)

4-4-016 Classification of licenses.

Business licenses issued under this Title 4 shall be one of three general types: (1) a limited business license issued under Section 4-4-020; or (2) a regulated business license issued under Chapter 4-6 of this Code; or (3) a specific license type established under Title 4.

(Added Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 14)

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