Skip to code content (skip section selection)
Compare to:
Chicago Overview
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*
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
CHAPTER 4-236
PARKING LOT AND GARAGE OPERATIONS TAX
4-236-010   Definitions.
4-236-020   Tax imposed.
4-236-025   Additional tax imposed on valet parking businesses
4-236-030   Rules and regulations – Authorized – Publication.
4-236-050   Maintenance of records.
4-236-060   Tickets, tags and receipts.
4-236-070   Tax remittance and returns.
4-236-090   Tax to be paid into city treasury.
4-236-110   Reserved.
4-236-120   Application of Uniform Revenue Procedures Ordinance.
4-236-010 Definitions.
   For the purpose of this chapter, whenever any of the following words, terms or definitions are used, they shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section:
   "Charge or fee paid for parking" means the gross amount of consideration for the use or privilege of parking a motor vehicle in or upon any parking lot or garage in the City of Chicago, valued in money, whether received in money or otherwise, including cash, credits, property and services, determined without any deduction for costs or expenses whatsoever. The term "charge or fee paid for parking" includes any and all charges that the recipient pays incidental to obtaining the use or privilege of parking, including but not limited to any and all related markups, service fees, convenience fees, facilitation fees, cancellation fees, overtime fees and other such charges, regardless of terminology. The term "charge or fee paid for parking" does not include charges that are added to the charge or fee on account of the tax imposed by this chapter or on account of any other tax imposed on the charge or fee. The term "charge or fee for parking" shall exclude separately stated optional charges not for the use or privilege of parking. The fact that the recipient could have avoided the charge or fee by obtaining the use or privilege from or through a different operator, pursuant to different terms, or through a course of performance that would have avoided the obligation to pay the charge or fee, does not make the charge or fee "optional".
   "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle which is self-propelled.
   "Operator" means any person who conducts the operation of a parking lot or garage, as defined by this chapter, or who, directly or through an agreement or arrangement with another party, collects the consideration for parking or storage of motor vehicles at such parking place. This includes but is not limited to any reseller, facilitator or aggregator that collects from the recipient the charge or fee paid for parking. The term does not include banks, credit card companies, payment processors or other persons whose involvement is limited to performing functions similar to those performed by such entities.
   "Parking lot" or "garage" means any building, structure, premises, enclosure or other place, whether enclosed or not, except a public way, within the City of Chicago, where motor vehicles are stored, housed or parked for hire, charge, fee or other valuable consideration in a condition ready for use, or where rent or compensation is paid to the owner, manager, operator or lessee of the premises for the housing, storing, sheltering, keeping or maintaining of such motor vehicles.
   "Person" means any natural person, trustee, court-appointed representative, syndicate, association, partnership, limited liability company, firm, club, company, corporation, business trust, institution, agency, government corporation, municipal corporation, district or other political subdivision, or any other entity recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties.
(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 11-17-93, p. 42192; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-99, p. 89860; Amend Coun. J. 3-10-99, p. 91091; Amend Coun. J. 4-10-13, p. 49553, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-14, p. 98063, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 10-28-15, p. 12062, Art. V, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 5-24-17, p. 49413, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61858, Art. II, § 7)
4-236-020 Tax imposed.
   (a)   Except as otherwise provided by this Section 4-236-020, there is imposed upon the use and privilege of parking a motor vehicle in or upon any parking lot or garage in the City of Chicago a tax at the applicable rate set forth in subsection (d).
   (b)   The ultimate incidence of and liability for payment of the tax is on the person who seeks the privilege of occupying space in or upon the parking lot or garage (such person hereinafter referred to as the "recipient").
   (c)   The tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply to: (i) residential off-street parking of house or apartment tenants or condominiums, wherein an arrangement for such parking is provided in the house or apartment lease or in a separate writing between the landlord and tenant, or if in a condominium between the condominium association and the owner, occupant or guest of a unit, whether the parking charge is payable to the landlord, condominium association, or to the operator of the parking lot or garage; (ii) parking by hospital employees on or in a parking lot or garage that is owned or operated by the hospital for which they work; (iii) parking on or in a parking lot or garage where three or fewer motor vehicles are stored, housed or parked for hire, charge, fee or other valuable consideration, if the operator of the parking lot or garage does not act as the operator of more than a total of three parking spaces located in the City of Chicago. If any operator of the lot or garage, including any reseller or aggregator, acts as an operator of more than three parking spaces in total that are located in the City of Chicago, then this exemption (iii) shall not apply to any of such spaces.
   (d)   (i)   The tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply to parking in a lot or garage that is owned or operated by the Chicago Transit Authority, the Chicago Park District or other governmental body if the charge or fee imposed for the privilege of parking does not exceed $2.00 for a 24-hour period or less, or $10.00 for a weekly period or $40.00 for a monthly period.
      (ii)   The tax imposed by this chapter for the privilege of parking for a 24-hour period or less, on a weekly basis, and on a monthly basis shall be 23.25% of the charge or fee paid for parking.
      (iii)   The tax rates set forth in subsection (d)(ii) shall be deemed to apply to the privilege of parking a motor vehicle in a parking lot or garage unless the taxpayer or tax collector keeps accurate and complete books and records as required by this chapter showing that no tax applies.
   (e)   The tax imposed by this chapter shall be paid in addition to any and all other taxes. It shall be the duty of the operator of every parking lot or garage to secure the tax from the recipient of the parking privilege and to remit the tax to the department of finance under procedures prescribed by the comptroller of revenue or as otherwise provided in this chapter.
   (f)   Every person required to collect the tax imposed by this chapter shall secure the tax from the recipient at the time the price, charge or rent to which it applies is collected. If the recipient is given any invoice, receipt or other statement of the price, charge or rent paid or payable, the tax shall be stated, charged and shown separately on the document.
   (g)   An operator that has paid or remitted the tax imposed by this section to another operator in connection with the same parking transaction, or the use of the same parking space, that is subject to tax under this chapter, shall be entitled to a credit for such tax paid or remitted against the amount of tax owed under this section, provided that the other operator is registered as a tax collector under this chapter, as evidenced by a certificate issued by the department of finance, or as otherwise confirmed by the department of finance. The operator claiming the credit shall have the burden of proving its entitlement to this credit with books, records and other documentary evidence.
(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 1-12-93, p. 27638; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-93, p. 39594; Amend Coun. J. 11-17-93, p. 42192; Amend Coun. J. 11-10-94, p. 59125; Amend Coun. J. 11-7-96, p. 32073; Amend Coun J. 11-13-96, p. 34040; Amend Coun. J. 3-10-99, p. 91091; Amend Coun. J. 11-10-99, p. 14998, § 1.2; Amend Coun. J. 11-17-99, p. 17487, § 1.2; Amend Coun. J. 12-15-04, p. 39840, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 48243, Art. I, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 13798, Art. I, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 14596, Art. IV, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-10-13, p. 49553, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-14, p. 98063, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 10-28-15, p. 12062, Art. V, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 38042, Art. III, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 5-24-17, p. 49413, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 12-16-24, p. 23004, Part 1, Art. III, § 3)
4-236-025 Additional tax imposed on valet parking businesses.
   (a)   In addition to the tax imposed by Section 4-236-020 of this chapter, a tax is imposed upon persons engaged in the business of valet parking in the City. The rate of this tax shall be 23.25% of the gross amount of consideration received by the valet parking business in connection with its valet parking operations in the city, including all related service fees or similar charges.
   (b)   A valet parking business that has paid or remitted the tax imposed by Section 4-236-020 to an operator in connection with the same transactions or the use of the same parking spaces, that are subject to subsection (a) of this section shall be entitled to a credit against the amount of tax owed under subsection (a) of this section, provided that the operator is registered as a tax collector under this chapter, as evidenced by a certificate issued by the department of finance, or as otherwise confirmed by the department of finance. The valet parking business shall have the burden of proving its entitlement to this credit with books, records and other documentary evidence.
   (c)   Valet parking businesses shall file returns and pay the tax as follows: (1) all tax returns shall be filed with the department not later than the fifteenth day of each calendar month for all taxable consideration received during the immediately preceding calendar month, and (2) all tax payments shall be made to the department not later than the fifteenth day of each calendar month for all taxable consideration received during the immediately preceding calendar month.
(Added Coun. J. 11-19-14, p. 98063, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 5-24-17, p. 49413, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61858, Art. II, § 7; Amend Coun. J. 12-16-24, p. 23004, Part 1, Art. III, § 3)
Editor's note – The provisions of § 4-236-025 C., as amended by Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61858, Art. II, § 7, and as set forth above, are effective on July 1, 2018. The following language is effective until July 1, 2018: "C. Valet parking businesses shall file returns and pay the tax as follows: (1) all tax returns shall be filed with the department on an annual basis on or before August 15 of each year in accordance with Sections 3-4-186 and 3-4-189 of this Code, (2) all tax payments shall be made in accordance with either Section 3-4-187 (payment of actual tax liabilities) or Section 3-4-188 (payment of estimated taxes) and (3) the provisions of Sections 3-4-186, 3-4-187, 3-4-188 and 3-4-189 shall control over any contrary provisions in this chapter regarding the subjects covered by those sections."
Loading...