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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
TITLE 5 HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
TITLE 6 HUMAN RIGHTS*
TITLE 7 HEALTH AND SAFETY
CHAPTER 7-4 LEAD-BEARING SUBSTANCES
CHAPTER 7-12 ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL
7-12-010 Reserved.
7-12-015 Reserved.
7-12-020 Definitions.
7-12-030 Animals shall be restrained.
7-12-040 Impounding animals that are stray.
7-12-050 Dangerous animals - Investigation, determination, and requirements.
7-12-051 Dangerous animals - Violations.
7-12-052 Dangerous animals - Miscellaneous.
7-12-060 Redemption of impounded animals.
7-12-065 Redemption of dogs and cats.
7-12-070 Facilities to be used for impoundments.
7-12-080 Removal of neglected animal.
7-12-090 Owner's responsibility where animal has bitten another animal or person.
7-12-100 Excessive animal noise - Prohibited.
7-12-110 Transfer of City-owned animals.
7-12-115 Rabies and distemper vaccinations; spay/neuter clinics.
7-12-120 Fees.
7-12-130 Refund of spaying deposit - Exchange of animal - Department's right to repossess.
7-12-140 License required.
7-12-150 License application forms.
7-12-160 Rabies inoculation certificate.
7-12-170 License fees.
7-12-180 Exemptions from license requirements.
7-12-185 Temporary animal exhibitions - permit required.
7-12-190 Citations.
7-12-200 Rabies vaccination required.
7-12-210 Equine animal - License required - Fee - Display - Exemptions.
7-12-220 Reserved.
7-12-230 Reserved.
7-12-240 Reserved.
7-12-250 Reserved.
7-12-260 Reserved.
7-12-270 Reserved.
7-12-280 Stables to be kept clean.
7-12-290 Cruelty to animals - Fines.
7-12-300 Ban of unlicensed possession of animals for slaughter.
7-12-310 Removal of injured or diseased animal from public way.
7-12-320 Reserved.
7-12-330 Burial of dead animals.
7-12-340 Notice to Department for removal of dead animal.
7-12-350 Dyeing baby chicks, other fowls or rabbits prohibited.
7-12-360 Wild or nondomesticated animals.
7-12-365 Coyote management program.
7-12-370 Animal fights and contests prohibited.
7-12-375 Reserved.
7-12-380 Reserved.
7-12-385 Reserved.
7-12-387 Restrictions on pigeons.
7-12-390 Transfer of animals - Records.
7-12-395 Enforcement.
7-12-400 Rules and regulations and inspections.
7-12-410 Reserved.
7-12-420 Removal of excrement.
7-12-430 Violation - Penalty.
CHAPTER 7-16 BIRTHS AND DEATHS
CHAPTER 7-20 CONTAGIOUS AND EPIDEMIC DISEASES
CHAPTER 7-22 CONCUSSION INJURIES IN STUDENT ATHLETES IN CHICAGO SCHOOLS
CHAPTER 7-24 DRUGS AND NARCOTICS
CHAPTER 7-28 HEALTH NUISANCES
CHAPTER 7-30 PLASTIC BAG AND FILM PLASTIC RECYCLING ORDINANCE
CHAPTER 7-32 CHICAGO CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANCE OF 2008*
CHAPTER 7-36 TOY SAFETY
CHAPTER 7-38 FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS - SANITARY OPERATING REQUIREMENTS
CHAPTER 7-39 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 7-40 FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS - CARE OF FOODS*
CHAPTER 7-42 FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS - INSPECTIONS, VIOLATIONS AND HEARING PROCEDURES*
CHAPTER 7-44 EXTERMINATION BY FUMIGATION*
CHAPTER 7-50 WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
CHAPTER 7-51 CHICAGO PREPAID WIRELESS 9-1-1 SURCHARGE
CHAPTER 7-52 HOTEL AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR ORDINANCE
CHAPTER 7-58 EMERGENCY ENERGY PLAN
CHAPTER 7-59 NATURAL GAS EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
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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7-12-115 Rabies and distemper vaccinations; spay/neuter clinics.
   (a)   The Department and the Executive Director may establish and maintain one or more clinics for the administration of rabies and distemper vaccinations to, the sterilization of, and the implantation of microchips in cats and dogs owned by city residents.
   (b)   Persons who submit a dog or cat for any of the services specified in this section shall complete an application form promulgated by the Executive Director. The application shall include a consent form certifying that the applicant is the owner of the animal or is otherwise authorized to present the animal for the service. The consent form shall contain a waiver of liability of the city, the Department and the Executive Director, and any of their agents or employees, for any injury or death of an animal resulting from the services provided under this section, or other services provided incidental thereto.
   (c)   The Department shall impose and collect the following fees for the services specified:
      (1)   Sterilization surgery.....$25.00
      (2)   Rabies vaccination.....$15.00
      (3)   Microchip implantation.....$15.00
      (4)   Distemper vaccination.....$7.00
   The fees shall be in addition to any applicable license fee.
   The Department may, no more than five days per month, waive the sterilization surgery fee for residents in those areas having the highest stray populations. Residents are eligible for the fee waiver only if they present proof of residence within the designated area. The Department shall annually promulgate rules setting forth the areas with the highest stray populations.
   In addition, the Department may establish, impose and collect a reasonable boarding fee upon an applicant who fails to pick up the animal at the time specified by clinic personnel.
(Added Coun. J. 11-4-98, p. 80929; Amend Coun. J. 12-4-02, p. 99026, § 4.1; Amend Coun. J. 5-12-10, p. 91121, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 37901, Art. I, § 15)
7-12-120 Fees.
   The Department shall charge and collect the following fees and shall attach such additional requirements as are stated for release of animals from the animal control center:
   (a)   Redemption fee per animal.....$65.00
   (b)   Housing fee per animal, per day.....$8.00
   (c)   Adoption fee for:
      (1)   Dogs and cats.....$65.00
         Or higher bid price if auctioned
      (2)   All other animals.....$5.00 – $30.00
         Or higher bid price if auctioned
   (d)   Euthanasia fee - owner's request.....$10.00
   In addition to the redemption and housing fees, all mandatory licensing fees shall be paid at the time of the redemption of the animal.
   The Department shall promulgate regulations establishing the adoption fees for animals, other than dogs and cats, pursuant to the requirements of subsection (c)(2) of this section.
   The owner of an animal impounded four or more times in a 12-month period shall not be entitled to obtain return of the animal until a hearing is held by the City and the hearing officer concludes that the owner can exercise responsible ownership and control of the animal. If the owner requests a hearing, the Department of Administrative Hearings shall appoint an administrative law officer who shall hold a hearing, at which all interested parties may present testimony and any other relevant evidence, within 15 days of the request. The hearing shall be taped or recorded by other appropriate means. If the administrative law officer concludes that the owner is entitled to return of the animal, the animal shall be returned to the owner upon payment of all applicable fees. If the administrative law officer concludes that the owner is not entitled to return of the animal, the animal shall become the property of the Department.
(Prior code § 98-7.1; Amend Coun. J. 11-30-88, p. 19542; Amend Coun. J. 11-10-94, p. 59125; Amend Coun. J. 12-4-02, p. 99026, § 4.1; Amend Coun. J. 7-26-06, p. 81855, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 37901, Art. I, § 16)
7-12-130 Refund of spaying deposit – Exchange of animal – Department's right to repossess.
   Any adopter of an animal from an animal control center may exchange such animal for another of the same species and sex within 14 days from date of adoption if said animal has been examined by a veterinarian or by an authorized representative of the Executive Director and found to be physically or otherwise defective, or unadaptable to the home of the adopter, but no refund shall be made if exchange shall be declined by the adopter.
   The Department shall have the right to repossess irrevocably without refund or exchange privilege, any adopted animal if the owner is in default as to licensing requirements or any other provision of this chapter.
(Prior code § 98-7.2; Amend Coun. J. 12-4-02, p. 99026, § 4.1; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 37901, Art. I, § 17)
7-12-140 License required.
   (a)   It is the duty of the owner of each dog four months of age or older to obtain from the city a dog license for the privilege of owning such dog, unless such dog shall be temporarily within the possession of a veterinary hospital, pet shop, animal care facility, or humane society. The owner of each dog required to hold a license hereunder shall, when the dog is on the public way, either: (i) ensure the license is visible and securely attached to a collar, harness or similar device worn by the dog, or (ii) upon request by an authorized city official, make available the license for inspection. The license fee for each dog license shall be as set forth in Section 7-12-170.
   (b)   Upon determining that an owner has violated subsection 7-12-140(a), an authorized city official shall issue a notice of violation. The notice required by this subsection shall either be served by hand upon the person in possession of the animal at the time the violation is identified or sent by first class mail addressed to the owner at the most recent address shown on county rabies vaccination records.
   (c)   The penalty for any violation of subsection 7-12-140(a) shall be no less than $30.00 and no greater than $200.00. Each day that a violation continues shall be considered a separate offense to which a separate fine shall apply.
   (d)   The provisions of Article I of Chapter 2-14 of the Code shall apply to this section.
(Prior code § 98-8; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-01, p. 75777, § 4.2; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-07, p. 98109, §
7-12-150 License application forms.
   (a)   An application for a dog license shall be made to the City Clerk on forms or in an electronic format as prescribed by the City Clerk, and shall contain the owner's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, information sufficient to identify the dog, and any other information as may be required by the City Clerk.
   As part of every dog license application, the owner shall attest to the following information for each dog for which an application has been submitted:
      (1)   that the dog has a current certificate of rabies inoculation that complies with Section 7-12-200;
      (2)   the number of the rabies inoculation certificate or tag referred to in subsection (a)(1) of this section, and the date of expiration of the rabies inoculation the dog received;
      (3)   the age of the dog's owner; and
      (4)   whether the dog has been sterilized.
   (b)   The City Clerk shall keep on file, for two years from date of issue, a copy, which may be an electronic copy, of each application or a copy of each license so issued on the basis of application.
   (c)   Any person who knowingly makes a false statement of material fact on any dog license application shall be subject to the provisions of Section 1-21-010 of the Municipal Code.
(Prior code § 98-8.1; Amend Coun. J. 6-13-07, p. 2873, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-07, p. 16793, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 7-30-08, p. 34890, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 37901, Art. I, § 19)
7-12-160 Rabies inoculation certificate.
   Application for such license shall be made to the City Clerk. Before a license is issued, a certificate of inoculation against rabies for each dog, issued by the county rabies control officer, or by his deputy, or by a licensed veterinarian, shall be submitted to the City Clerk for examination. No license shall be issued for any dog unless such inoculation certificate bears a date within three years prior to the date of application for license or such other interval as approved by the Department of Agriculture of the State of Illinois. Such certificate shall be returned to the applicant after the current dog license number has been stamped thereon. When applying for a dog license by mail, the certificate of inoculation shall accompany the application. Said certificate shall be returned at the time the license tag is mailed to the applicant.
(Prior code § 98-8.2; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 13798, Art. I, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 37901, Art. I, § 20)
7-12-170 License fees.
   (a)   A dog license may be issued for either a one-year or three-year period as limited by subsection (e) of this section. The fee shall be paid at the time of the issuance of the license and shall be as follows:
 
One-Year Fee
Three-Year Fee
Male or female, not sterilized
$50.00
$150.00
Male or female, sterilized
$5.00
$15.00
 
except that owners 65 years of age or older shall be charged as follows:
 
One-Year Fee
Three-Year Fee
Male or female, not sterilized
$5.00
$15.00
Male or female, sterilized
$2.50
$7.50
 
   (b)   The fee for a replacement license shall be one- half of the original fee, or $20.00, whichever is less.
   (c)   No fee shall be charged for:
      (1)   any service dog. For purposes of this subsection a "service dog" means a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability; or
      (2)   any dog which is the property of any subdivision of local, state or federal government.
   (d)   Each dog license issued after July 1, 2008 shall expire at the end of the applicable one or three year period or on the expiration date of the certificate of inoculation that is in effect at the time the dog license is issued, whichever is earlier.
(Prior code § 98-8.3; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-01, p. 75777, § 4.3; Amend Coun. J. 7-26-06, p. 81829, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 6-13-07, p. 2873, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 6-13-07, p. 2891, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 7-30-08, p. 34890, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 26724, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 10-28-15, p. 12759, § 1)
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