(A) Construction. No construction canopy shall be designed with less than six feet of internal pedestrian space or internal center supports, unless prior approval is obtained from the department of transportation. The roof deck of a heavy duty construction canopy shall be constructed of not less than two layers of two-inch planking or of other approved materials of equal strength and shall be designed to support a superimposed load of not less than 250 pounds per square foot, and shall have a ceiling height of not less than eight feet. The side facing the construction or demolition work shall be fully enclosed and the street side, if extending into the street, shall be enclosed with a splash guard and railing not less than four feet high.
(B) Maintenance. Every construction canopy shall be kept well-lighted continuously between sunset and sunrise and shall be maintained clear of debris, holes and trip hazards, and shall be properly drained to prevent accumulation of water, snow and ice. The level of illumination shall be the equivalent of that produced by 200 watt, 3,400 lumen minimum, standard incandescent lamps enclosed in vandal-proof fixtures spaced 15 feet apart and eight feet above the floor level. Artificial lighting units shall be inspected nightly and burned out or inoperative units shall be replaced or repaired nightly. For a construction canopy erected for three months or less, temporary string lighting shall be permitted. For a construction canopy erected for more than three months, temporary string lighting shall be permitted for a period of one week until hard wiring is installed. All electrical wiring shall conform to the requirements provided in Title 14E of this Code.
(C) Appearance of construction canopy. All construction canopies shall be painted and obstruction lights and diagonal red striping shall be provided as required by the department of transportation on all portions of the construction canopy extending beyond the curb line.
(D) Time of construction. The erection of a heavy duty construction canopy within the Central Business District which results in the obstruction of a street lane may only be conducted under the supervision of a representative from the department of transportation.
The erection of a construction canopy in the public way, and any work such as painting, installation of signs or installation of lights on the construction canopy itself, within the Central Business District, shall only be permitted between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless expressly approved by the commissioner of transportation or the commissioner of buildings. Erection of a construction canopy in the public way which occurs outside the Central Business District shall only be permitted by the department of transportation in a manner not to conflict with existing rush-hour traffic restrictions. All affected sidewalks must be closed off, with proper signs, during the erection of a construction canopy.
(E) Emergency sign. A sign, visible from the public way, must be attached to the exterior wall of each elevation of every construction canopy listing the name and address of the construction canopy provider, and listing a 24-hour telephone number for the provider. The sign must be printed in a type size no less than four inches in height. The permittee is responsible for maintaining the sign for the life of the construction project.
(F) Notice. A notice board, and a copy of the permit, must be attached to the interior wall of each elevation of every construction canopy listing the name, address and telephone number of the building owner and the construction canopy provider. The notice must also include a description of the type of work being conducted on the building and the estimated completion date of the project. The permittee is responsible for maintaining the sign for the life of the construction project.
(G) Advertising. Other than the signs required by this chapter, and any signs designating the name of the owner or occupant of the premises protected by the construction canopy or advertising goods manufactured or produced or services rendered on the premises protected by the construction canopy, there shall be no business or advertising messages posted on any construction canopy located within the public way. All signs permitted by this Chapter, including signs on a construction canopy located within a public place, shall conform with all applicable provisions of the Chicago Zoning Ordinances.
(H) Gates. All gates on construction canopies shall be closed when not in use. Any doors or gates located on a public thoroughfare shall not be constructed to open into the line of either the pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(Added Coun. J. 12-4-02, p. 99026, § 7.1; Amend Coun. J. 12-7-05, p. 64870, § 1.9; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. IX, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 2-19-20, p. 14473, Art. VI, § 5)