Ch. 4-4 General Licensing Provisions
Ch. 4-6 Regulated Business License
Ch. 4-8 Food Establishments
Ch. 4-11 Maxwell Street Market
Ch. 4-12 Farmers Markets
Ch. 4-13 Short Term Residential Rental Intermediaries and Advertising Platforms
Ch. 4-14 Shared Housing Units
Ch. 4-16 Shared Housing Unit Operator
Ch. 4-17 Restricted Residential Zones
Ch. 4-24 Lithium-Ion Batteries
Ch. 4-28 Drain Layers
Ch. 4-32 Reserved
Ch. 4-36 Licensing of General Contractors
Ch. 4-40 Reserved
Ch. 4-44 Income Tax Preparers
Ch. 4-48 Reserved
Ch. 4-52 Reserved
Ch. 4-58 Restrictions on BYOB
Ch. 4-60 Liquor Dealers
Ch. 4-64 Tobacco Dealers
Ch. 4-68 Ambulances
Ch. 4-72 Reserved
Ch. 4-75 Children's Services Facility
Ch. 4-76 Child Care Institution
Ch. 4-80 Reserved
Ch. 4-83 Heliports
Ch. 4-84 Reserved
Ch. 4-88 Reserved
Ch. 4-92 Reserved
Ch. 4-93 Reserved
Ch. 4-96 Reserved
Ch. 4-97 Reserved
Ch. 4-100 Reserved
Ch. 4-108 Filling Stations
Ch. 4-115 Reserved
Ch. 4-128 Reserved
Ch. 4-144 Weapons Dealers
Ch. 4-149 Reserved
Ch. 4-151 Shooting Range Facility License
Ch. 4-152 Wholesale Drug, Chemical or Paint Stores
Ch. 4-156 Amusements
Ch. 4-160 Sports Plazas
Ch. 4-164 Reserved
Ch. 4-165 Reserved
Ch. 4-168 Bicycle Messenger Services
Ch. 4-184 Reserved
Ch. 4-188 Reserved
Ch. 4-196 Reserved
Ch. 4-204 Reserved
Ch. 4-207 Reserved
Ch. 4-208 Reserved
Ch. 4-209 Reserved
Ch. 4-210 Reserved
Ch. 4-212 Pop-Up Retail Users
Ch. 4-216 Reserved
Ch. 4-220 Reserved
Ch. 4-224 Manufacturing Establishments
Ch. 4-226 Reserved
Ch. 4-227 Towing
Ch. 4-228 Motor Vehicle Repair Shops
Ch. 4-229 Tire Facilities
Ch. 4-232 Motor Vehicle Storage and Sales
Ch. 4-233 Reserved
Ch. 4-236 Parking Lot and Garage Operations Tax
Ch. 4-240 Pawnbrokers
Ch. 4-244 Street Peddlers and Street Performers
Ch. 4-250 Commercial Passenger Vessels
Ch. 4-252 Reserved
Ch. 4-253 Reserved
Ch. 4-256 Reserved
Ch. 4-260 Reserved
Ch. 4-264 Secondhand Dealers
Ch. 4-266 Boiler and Pressure Vessel Repairers
Ch. 4-268 Reserved
Ch. 4-276 Regulation of Weights and Measures
Ch. 4-280 Cable Communication
Ch. 4-284 Cable Ethics
Ch. 4-288 Crane Operators
Ch. 4-290 Electrical Contractors
Ch. 4-292 Supervising Electricians
Ch. 4-296 Reserved
Ch. 4-298 Elevator Mechanic Contractors
Ch. 4-304 Reserved
Ch. 4-305 Remote Service Terminals
Ch. 4-308 Foreign Fire Insurance Companies
Ch. 4-312 Reserved
Ch. 4-324 Reserved
Ch. 4-328 News Media Credentials
Ch. 4-332 Plumbers
Ch. 4-336 Plumbing Contractors
Ch. 4-340 Special Policemen and Security Guards
Ch. 4-344 Stationary Engineers
Ch. 4-348 Reserved
Ch. 4-352 Telegraph Services
Ch. 4-360 Vendor Licensing and Regulation at Navy Pier
Ch. 4-364 Warehouses
Ch. 4-368 Reserved
Ch. 4-372 Reserved
Ch. 4-376 Mason Contractors
Ch. 4-380 Reserved
Ch. 4-384 Animal Care
Ch. 4-388 Rooftops in Wrigley Field Adjacent Area
Ch. 4-392 Reserved
Ch. 4-400 Reserved
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.)
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)
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)
(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)
(Added Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 14)
(a) All businesses must be licensed to operate in the City of Chicago and shall obtain a limited business license from the department unless:
(1) the business is required to obtain a regulated business license under Chapter 4-6 of this Code; or
(2) the business is required to obtain one or more specific licenses under a specific chapter of Title 4 of this Code; or
(3) the City of Chicago is preempted from licensing the business by federal or state law; or
(4) a permit has been issued for the business pursuant to Section 4-4-022.
(b) The license fee for a limited business license shall be as set forth in Section 4-5-010 and shall accompany the license application.
(c) Any person who obtains a limited business license shall limit the activities carried on in such business to those activities identified in the license application. If the licensee adds any activity not identified in, or outside the bounds of, or not incidental to the description of the business activities provided at the time of licensing, the licensee shall so inform the department prior to commencing the additional activity. If a specific license is required for the additional business activity, the licensee shall obtain such specific license prior to commencing the additional activity.
(d) A limited business license shall not be required for any business activity that has been disclosed in the license application and that is incidental to the primary business activity for which a license has been obtained. Provided, however, that if a specific license is required for such incidental business activity, the licensee shall obtain such specific license prior to commencing the incidental activity.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing requirements, the licensing provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the sale or exchange of used merchandise conducted or controlled by charitable organizations.
(Added Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 14)
(a) In reviewing a license application, the commissioner shall determine whether a proposed business activity is an emerging business type or a non-traditional business activity that falls outside the parameters of any existing regulated business license under Chapter 4-6 or other specific license type under Title 4, and whether the proposed business activity presents potential risks to the public health, safety and welfare such that, for the protection of the public, the activity must be subject to more intense regulation than would be associated with a limited business license.
(b) If the commissioner so determines, the commissioner may disapprove the license application. The applicant may seek a hearing on the disapproval pursuant to the procedures of Section 4-4-060.
(c) In the alternative, the commissioner is authorized to grant an emerging business permit to the applicant to engage in the proposed business activity on an experimental basis.
(d) The emerging business permit shall be non- renewable and valid for a maximum of two years. The emerging business permit shall be a personal privilege and not property. The emerging business permit shall not be transferrable to another location, person or business entity. If the officers or owners of the business change, the emerging business permit shall immediately terminate unless the change has been approved in advance by the commissioner.
(e) The commissioner may attach conditions to the emerging business permit as are reasonably required to protect the public health, safety and welfare from risks including, but not limited to: adverse impact on public health, public safety, increased demand on city services, increased environmental impacts, or increased traffic or congestion in the public way. The commissioner may attach any such conditions when the emerging business permit is issued, or the commissioner may attach, remove or modify conditions at any time during the term of the permit, upon reasonable notice to the permit holder.
(f) The commissioner may make a determination at any time during the term of the emerging business permit that the permitted business activity as conducted presents an unreasonable risk to the public health, safety and welfare which cannot be mitigated, and may rescind the emerging business permit, with or without prior notice. If an emerging business permit is rescinded, the permit holder shall be given the opportunity to appear before the commissioner to contest the permit rescission before the rescission is effective or no later than ten days after the rescission is effective.
(g) At the end of the term of the emerging business permit, the permit holder's permission to engage in the permitted business activity shall terminate unless (1) the City Council has established a new license category or amended an existing license category under which the permitted business activity may be licensed; and (2) the permit holder has applied for and obtained the necessary license.
(h) When issuing an emerging business permit, and when attaching, removing or modifying conditions on an existing emerging business permit, the commissioner shall make a report to the license review advisory group and to the chairman of the city council committee on license and consumer protection or its successor committee describing the permitted business activity and the conditions imposed upon that activity.
(i) After three-fourths of the emerging business permit term has elapsed, the permit holder may submit a report to the commissioner and to the chairman of the city council committee on license and consumer protection or its successor committee requesting that a license category be created or amended to license the permitted business activity. The report shall describe the permitted business activity, the history of its operation under the emerging business permit, any disciplinary, legal or law enforcement problems that arose out of the permitted business activity, any positive or negative impacts of the permitted business activity on the public health, safety and welfare, and the public benefit derived from the permitted business activity. The city council may, in its discretion, elect to establish a new license category or amend an existing license category on the same or different terms as the emerging business permit.
(j) Each application for an emerging business permit shall be considered independently. The issuance of an emerging business permit to an applicant, or the conditions imposed on a permit by the commissioner, shall not be precedent for the issuance of, or imposition of permit conditions upon, a similar emerging business permit to any other applicant or permit holder.
(k) Operation of a business under an emerging business permit shall constitute acceptance of the terms and conditions of this ordinance, any applicable rules and regulations, and any special conditions of the permit.
(l) The commissioner may issue rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this section.
(Added Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 14)
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