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Municipal Code of Chicago
MUNICIPAL CODE OF CHICAGO
TITLE 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
TITLE 2 CITY GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
TITLE 3 REVENUE AND FINANCE
TITLE 4 BUSINESSES, OCCUPATIONS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
CHAPTER 4-4 GENERAL LICENSING PROVISIONS*
ARTICLE I. GENERAL LICENSE REQUIREMENTS (4-4-005 et seq.)
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.
CHAPTER 4-5 LICENSE FEES FOR TITLE 4 LICENSES
CHAPTER 4-6 REGULATED BUSINESS LICENSE
CHAPTER 4-8 FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS*
CHAPTER 4-9 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-11 MAXWELL STREET MARKET
CHAPTER 4-12 FARMERS MARKETS*
CHAPTER 4-13 SHORT TERM RESIDENTIAL RENTAL INTERMEDIARIES AND ADVERTISING PLATFORMS
CHAPTER 4-14 SHARED HOUSING UNITS
CHAPTER 4-16 SHARED HOUSING UNIT OPERATOR
CHAPTER 4-17 RESTRICTED RESIDENTIAL ZONES
CHAPTER 4-24 LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES*
CHAPTER 4-28 DRAIN LAYERS
CHAPTER 4-32 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-36 LICENSING OF GENERAL CONTRACTORS
CHAPTER 4-40 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-44 INCOME TAX PREPARERS*
CHAPTER 4-48 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-52 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-58 RESTRICTIONS ON BYOB
CHAPTER 4-60 LIQUOR DEALERS
CHAPTER 4-64 TOBACCO DEALERS*
CHAPTER 4-68 AMBULANCES*
CHAPTER 4-72 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-75 CHILDREN'S SERVICES FACILITY
CHAPTER 4-76 CHILD CARE INSTITUTION*
CHAPTER 4-80 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-83 HELIPORTS
CHAPTER 4-84 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-88 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-92 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-93 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-96 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-97 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-100 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-108 FILLING STATIONS
CHAPTER 4-115 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-128 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-144 WEAPONS DEALERS
CHAPTER 4-149 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-151 SHOOTING RANGE FACILITY LICENSE
CHAPTER 4-152 WHOLESALE DRUG, CHEMICAL OR PAINT STORES*
CHAPTER 4-156 AMUSEMENTS
CHAPTER 4-160 SPORTS PLAZAS*
CHAPTER 4-164 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-165 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-168 BICYCLE MESSENGER SERVICES
CHAPTER 4-180 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-184 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-188 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-196 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-204 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-207 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-208 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-209 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-210 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-212 POP-UP RETAIL USERS*
CHAPTER 4-216 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-220 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-224 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS
CHAPTER 4-226 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-227 TOWING
CHAPTER 4-228 MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR SHOPS
CHAPTER 4-229 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-232 MOTOR VEHICLE STORAGE AND SALES
CHAPTER 4-233 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-236 PARKING LOT AND GARAGE OPERATIONS TAX
CHAPTER 4-240 PAWNBROKERS
CHAPTER 4-244 STREET PEDDLERS AND STREET PERFORMERS*
CHAPTER 4-250 COMMERCIAL PASSENGER VESSELS
CHAPTER 4-252 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-253 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-256 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-260 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-264 SECONDHAND DEALERS
CHAPTER 4-266 BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL REPAIRERS*
CHAPTER 4-268 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-276 REGULATION OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
CHAPTER 4-280 CABLE COMMUNICATION
CHAPTER 4-284 CABLE ETHICS
CHAPTER 4-288 CRANE OPERATORS
CHAPTER 4-290 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
CHAPTER 4-292 SUPERVISING ELECTRICIANS
CHAPTER 4-296 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-298 ELEVATOR MECHANIC CONTRACTORS
CHAPTER 4-304 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-305 REMOTE SERVICE TERMINALS
CHAPTER 4-308 FOREIGN FIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES
CHAPTER 4-312 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-324 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-328 NEWS MEDIA CREDENTIALS
CHAPTER 4-332 PLUMBERS
CHAPTER 4-336 PLUMBING CONTRACTORS
CHAPTER 4-340 SPECIAL POLICEMEN AND SECURITY GUARDS
CHAPTER 4-344 STATIONARY ENGINEERS*
CHAPTER 4-348 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-352 TELEGRAPH SERVICES
CHAPTER 4-360 VENDOR LICENSING AND REGULATION AT NAVY PIER
CHAPTER 4-364 WAREHOUSES*
CHAPTER 4-368 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-372 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-376 MASON CONTRACTORS*
CHAPTER 4-380 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-384 ANIMAL CARE
CHAPTER 4-388 ROOFTOPS IN WRIGLEY FIELD ADJACENT AREA
CHAPTER 4-392 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 4-400 RESERVED*
TITLE 5 HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
TITLE 6 HUMAN RIGHTS*
TITLE 7 HEALTH AND SAFETY
TITLE 8 OFFENSES AFFECTING PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE
TITLE 9 VEHICLES, TRAFFIC AND RAIL TRANSPORTATION
TITLE 10 STREETS, PUBLIC WAYS, PARKS, AIRPORTS AND HARBORS
TITLE 11 UTILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
TITLE 12 RESERVED
TITLE 13 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
TITLE 14 RESERVED*
TITLE 14A ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS OF THE CHICAGO CONSTRUCTION CODES*
TITLE 14B BUILDING CODE*
TITLE 14C CONVEYANCE DEVICE CODE*
TITLE 14E ELECTRICAL CODE*
TITLE 14F FIRE PREVENTION CODE*
TITLE 14G FUEL GAS CODE*
TITLE 14M MECHANICAL CODE*
TITLE 14N 2022 ENERGY TRANSFORMATION CODE*
TITLE 14P PLUMBING CODE*
TITLE 14R BUILDING REHABILITATION CODE*
TITLE 14X MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS*
TITLE 15 FIRE PREVENTION
TITLE 16 LAND USE
TITLE 17 CHICAGO ZONING ORDINANCE
TITLE 18 BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE
APPENDIX TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF CHICAGO (RESERVED)*
TABLES
Chicago Zoning Ordinance and Land Use Ordinance
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4-4-336 Improper business signs.
   (a)   No sign shall be placed on the exterior of any business in the City of Chicago unless the sign is securely affixed to the property of the business. Unsecure methods of affixing an exterior sign shall include, but are not limited to, attaching the sign with tape, string or staples.
   (b)   Any sign that is erected, altered or maintained in violation of this section shall be removed by the owner or operator of the business.
   (c)   If a sign is erected, altered or maintained in violation of this section, the City of Chicago may remove such sign and charge the expense of such removal to the owner or operator of the business.
   (d)   If a permit is required under Section 10-28-010 to install, erect, maintain or enlarge any sign that is on, under or over the surface of any public way, or if a business contains on-premises signage or other signage for which a permit is required under Section 13-20-550, such permit shall be obtained.
   (e)   In addition to any other penalty provided by law, any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not less than $200.00 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. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 49; Amend Coun. J. 10-16-13, p. 61854, § 1)
4-4-337 Illegal use of parking facilities.
   (a)   No licensee under this Code shall allow the use of the licensee's outdoor parking facilities for any business activity by any other person, except:
      (1)   An outdoor sale conducted by a business served by the parking facilities; or
      (2)   An occasional outdoor sale in support of a tax-exempt charitable, educational, religious or philanthropical institution or organization. Provided, however, that the licensee shall be required to file with the commander of the police district and with the alderman of the ward in which the parking facilities are located a written statement indicating (i) the date(s) and location of the occasional sale; (ii) the name of the tax-exempt charitable, educational, religious or philanthropical institution or organization; (iii) the name, title and telephone number of a contact person for that institution or organization; and (iv) the licensee's consent for the occasional sale;
      (3)   A special event presented by, or pursuant to permits issued by, the City; or
      (4)   A farmers market conducted pursuant to Chapter 4-12 of this Code.
   (b)   The requirements of this section shall not apply to a licensed peddler who sells or offers merchandise for sale on private property as allowed by section 4-244-130 of this Code.
(Added Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 14; Amend Coun. J. 3-13-19, p. 96592, § 1)
4-4-338 Cell phones and other wireless communication equipment.
   It shall be unlawful for any licensee under this Title 4 to unlock any wireless communication device in violation of Section 8-4-052. In addition to any other penalty provided by law, a single violation of this section may result in license suspension or revocation in accordance with Section 4-4-280 of this Code.
(Added Coun. J. 7-30-14, p. 85719, § 1)
4-4-339 Walk-up service windows.
   (a)   For purposes of this section, "walk-up service window" means a window on the exterior wall of a building that is accessible to pedestrians and allows for the dispensing of retail goods to pedestrian customers and the payment for retail goods by pedestrian customers.
   (b)   A business that is licensed by the City and that is located on the ground floor of a building may operate a walk-up service window on the premises of the business. Such operation shall be subject to the requirements of this section, any rules promulgated thereunder, the building provisions of this code, and, if applicable, Section 17-9-0132.
   (c)   The Commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, the Commissioner of Public Health, and the Commissioner of Transportation, may jointly and severally promulgate rules regarding the operating requirements and limitations of walk-up service windows and for the administration and enforcement of this section. An operator of a walk-up service window shall comply with rules promulgated pursuant to this section.
   (d)   In addition to any operating requirements set forth by rule, each person that operates a walk-up service window directly accessible from the public way shall be subject to the following operating requirements:
      (1)   No person shall sell or permit sales from a walk-up service window directly accessible from the public way between the hours of 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and 7:00 a.m.
      (2)   No person shall sell alcoholic liquor, as that term is defined in Section 4-60-010, from a walk-up service window directly accessible from the public way. Provided, however, that this requirement shall not apply to:
         (A)   establishments holding a valid liquor license that is subject to the provisions of Section 4-60-071;
         (B)   establishments holding a valid Lakefront Venue liquor license pursuant to Section 4-60-073;
         (C)   establishments holding a valid Riverwalk Venue liquor license pursuant to Section 4-60-074; and
         (D)   establishments holding a valid sidewalk café permit for a sidewalk café that is adjacent to the walk-up service window, during the operating hours of the sidewalk café.
      (3)   No person shall sell cigarettes or other tobacco products, as those terms are defined in Section 4-64-100, from a walk-up service window directly accessible from the public way.
   (e)   The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Transportation are authorized to enforce this section and any rules promulgated thereunder.
(Added Coun. J. 3-15-23, p. 61261, § 1)
4-4-350 Violation – Penalty.
   In addition to any other penalty provided by law, any person who violates any provision of Title 4 or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder, where no other penalty is specifically provided, shall be fined not less than $400.00 nor more than $5,000.00 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. 12-16-24, p. 23004, Part 1, Art. IV, § 2)