13-20-680 Council approval.

   A City Council order for any sign which exceeds 100 feet2 (9.3 m 2) in area or any roof or ground sign, structure or signboard over 24 feet (7.32 m) in height, excluding city digital signs identified in a coordinated city digital sign program agreement entered into pursuant to Section 10-28-046, or identified in an amendment to such a program agreement approved by the City Council, shall be required in addition to the normal permit. When the complete application for a permit for such sign is filed with the Building Commissioner, the applicant shall submit a duplicate of the complete application to the alderman of the ward in which the sign is to be located along with the order template required by the City Council committee. At the time the duplicate is submitted to the alderman, the applicant shall (except as to such excluded city digital signs) submit to the City Clerk an order for the sign on the order template required by the committee for introduction at the next regular meeting of the City Council, and proof that the public notice provided for in this section has been given and a list of all persons who have been given such notice. The Council order, upon being introduced to the Council, shall be forwarded to the appropriate City Council committee for hearing. Prior to filing its order with the City Clerk, the applicant for the permit (except as to such excluded city digital signs) shall give notice to all voters registered at addresses within 250 feet (76.2 m) of the proposed sign location.

   Any change to a sign for which a City Council order was issued or required to be issued that changes the sign from a static image display sign to a dynamic image display sign shall require an additional City Council order in compliance with this section and a new sign permit in compliance with the requirements of this Code. The council order shall include text explicitly acknowledging that the sign is being changed from a static image display sign to a dynamic image display sign.

   The notice shall be in writing and shall state:

      (1)   The name of the applicant.

      (2)   The proposed location of the sign.

      (3)   The exterior dimensions of the proposed sign.

      (4)   The means of illumination of the sign.

      (5)   The height above ground level at which the proposed sign, if approved, will be located.

      (6)   The date of the application.

      (7)   Indicate if a current sign will be changed from a static image display sign to a dynamic image display sign.

   Such notice shall inform the recipient that the individual will receive notice of the date of a public hearing on the order before the committee, and that the individual has the right to testify before the committee. The notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, with all costs to be borne by the applicant. No notice need be given under this section, however, of any order seeking a permit for a sign to be erected on the premises of a business only limited to information identifying the business conducted on the premises or with respect to a city digital sign. The committee shall give notice by first class mail to all voters registered at addresses within 250 feet (76.2 m) of the proposed sign location and, after conducting a hearing, shall recommend approval or disapproval of the order. The hearing shall be recorded or transcribed. At the hearing, the applicant shall have the right to offer evidence and comment on or rebut all other evidence placed before the committee. A recommendation of an approval or disapproval of the order shall be passed based on the following considerations:

      (1)   Whether the size, location, or structural design of the sign is compatible with the aesthetic character of the community in which the sign is located or is to be erected or because of the sign's impact on or proximity to:

         (a)   Special zones or places as may be designated, established or recognized by the City of Chicago, including but not limited to the Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection District and historical or architectural landmark buildings, areas, places, districts, structures of other object or

         (b)   Waterways, open space areas, recreational facilities, urban or scenic vistas or residential buildings.

      (2)   Whether the sign is located in an area where there exists an undue concentration of signs.

      (3)   Whether the size, location or structural design of the sign presents an unreasonable threat to the health or safety of the public.

   Any committee report requesting approval or disapproval of the order must state specific reasons for the recommendation, which reasons shall be consistent with such applicant's constitutional rights contained in the First, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution and Sections 2 and 4 of Article 1 of the Illinois Constitution of 1970. The recommendation of the committee to approve or disapprove the order as provided herein shall not be based on the content of the proposed sign. In determining whether to approve or disapprove a sign order, the City Council shall be bound by the same standards that apply to the committee when it makes its recommendation. The Building Commissioner shall issue a permit for a sign that is subject to this section unless:

      (1)   The City Council has voted not to approve passage of an order within 60 days after the order for the sign was submitted to the City Clerk, or

      (2)   The sign for which the application is submitted is not or will not be in compliance with any provision of this chapter and all other applicable Code provisions governing the construction and maintenance of outdoor signs, signboards, and structures.

   If the City Council fails to issue an order for a sign within a 60-day period after the order for the sign is submitted to the City Clerk, an order on the sign shall be deemed to have been issued at the end of such period; provided, however, that no time period shall commence until a complete application has been submitted to the Department of Buildings and the alderman of the ward in which the sign is to be located. The City Clerk shall, within two business days, notify the Building Commissioner whenever the City Council issues or is deemed to issue an order pertaining to a permit application for a sign. In any event, the Building Commissioner may not take final action on the application until the City Council issues or is deemed to issue an order pertaining to the application.

   Any person aggrieved by the final decision of the Building Commissioner disapproving an application may seek judicial review of the decision in the manner provided by law.

   As used in this section:

      "Legal voter" means a person who has registered to vote and whose name appears on a poll sheet from the last preceding election, regardless of whether such election is a primary or general election.

      "Complete application" means all required documentation, as prescribed by rules promulgated by the Building Commissioner, which are necessary to complete the sign permit license application.

   No member of the City Council or other municipal officer shall introduce, and no Committee of the City Council shall consider or recommend, any ordinance or order that is contrary in any way to any of the requirements of this section or Title 17 of the Code. No member of the City Council shall propose, and no Committee of the City Council shall consider, any amendment to an ordinance which, if passed, would render the ordinance contrary to any of the requirements of this section or Title 17 of the Code. No officer or employee of the City shall enforce any ordinance or order that is contrary to any of the requirements of this section or Title 17 of the Code. No member of the City Council may recommend action on and no Committee of the City Council shall consider any ordinance or order that authorizes the approval of a sign that does not comply with all applicable provisions of this section, Title 17 of the Code, and all other applicable Code provisions governing the construction and maintenance of outdoor signs, signboards, and structures.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 18; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 2-15-12, p. 20904, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-24-12, p. 25060, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-12, p. 44485, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 2-13-13, p. 47133, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-19-17, p. 48241, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. I, § 19; Amend Coun. J. 3-28-18, p. 74459, Art. V, § 7)

Part E. Other Requirements (13-20-690 et seq.)

13-20-690 Obstruction of streets.

   Permits for the obstruction of streets or sidewalks during construction of signs shall be obtained by the general contractor or registered electrical contractor from the commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation. Where a general contractor or a registered electrical contractor installs, alters, erects, or repairs a sign, signboard, or illuminates a signboard without a required street or sidewalk obstruction permit first being issued, the department of building sign permit privileges of such general contractor or registered electrical contractor may be suspended pursuant to Section 13-8-130 or 13-20-600 and shall not be reinstated until such time as all applicable provisions of Chapter 10-28 and this chapter have been complied with; and, in the case of a registered electrical contractor, the applicable registration may also be suspended or revoked under Section 13-8-140; and, in the case of a licensed general contractor, the applicable license may be suspended or revoked under Section 4-4-280 or 13-8-140.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. IV, § 19)

13-20-700 Insurance and indemnification.

   (a)   Every general contractor in the business of erecting, maintaining, or removing signs or structures shall maintain liability insurance in the amount required under Section 4-36-090.

   (b)   Every general contractor who erects, maintains, or removes a sign or sign structure; every person who erects, maintains, or removes a sign or sign structure where this Code does not require a general contractor under Section 13-20-560(a)(1); and the owner of the real property and the lessee of the real property where the sign is located shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the City of Chicago, its officials, and employees from any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, actions, suits, or judgments which may be presented, sustained, brought, or obtained against the City of Chicago or against any of its officials, or employees because of the maintenance, alteration, or removal of any sign or sign structure, or by reason of any crash, caused by or resulting therefrom.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 4-24-12, p. 25060, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 10-28-15, p. 11951, Art. VI, § 45; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 37901, Art. II, § 44; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. IV, § 20; Amend Coun. J. 11-17-21, p. 41319, Art. VII, § 1)

13-20-710 Construction standards.

   All signs requiring structural engineers drawings shall be constructed to the standards contained in the Municipal Code of the City of Chicago, except that for compressive stresses for columns and other compression members of structural grade steel, the ratio of l/r shall not exceed 120. Main structural members shall not be less than 5/16 inch (8 mm) thick and secondary members and bracing shall not be less than 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) thick. Signs erected entirely above a roof shall have the calculated center of the wind pressure not higher above the roof than 75 percent of the vertical distance between the roof and the top of the display.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3)

13-20-720 General restrictions.

   No person, firm, or corporation shall place on or suspend from any building, sign, structure, canopy, lot, or place any goods, wares, merchandise, or any other material not in conformance with Section 14E-6-600 and this article.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. II, § 16)

13-20-730 Notice of non-compliance.

   Whenever the Building Commissioner determines that any sign or sign structure has been erected or is being maintained in violation of this chapter, or is in an unsafe condition, or has become unstable or insecure, or is a menace to the safety or health of the public, the Commissioner may issue or cause to be issued a notice, in writing, to the responsible person, as defined herein, informing such person of the violation of this chapter or of the dangerous condition of such sign or sign structure and directing such responsible person to make whatever alterations or repairs that the Commissioner reasonably deems necessary to bring the sign or sign structure into compliance with this chapter, and with Article I of Chapter 13-96 and Title 14E of this Code, within a reasonable time, which may be stated in said notice. If the necessary alterations and repairs are not made within the time period specified, the permit for the sign or sign structure may be revoked by the Building Commissioner pursuant to Section 13-20-645. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the Building Commissioner from seeking to directly revoke a permit pursuant to Section 13-20-645.

   As used in this section, the term "responsible person" means: (1) the permittee of a permit for a sign or sign structure issued on or before May 19, 2012; or (2) the owner or lessee of the real property on which a sign or sign structure is located of a permit issued after May 19, 2012; or (3) the person in charge, possession, or control thereof, if the whereabouts of such person is known.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 5-2-01, p. 57403, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 18; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. II, § 17; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. I, § 20)

13-20-740 Posting non-compliance notice.

   If the responsible person, as defined in Section 13-20-730, cannot be found or such responsible person's whereabouts cannot be ascertained, the Building Commissioner shall attach or cause to be attached to such sign or sign structure a notice meeting the requirements of Section 13-20-740. If the sign or sign structure identified in such notice is not brought into conformity with this chapter and is not placed in a secure, safe, and substantially sound condition in the manner directed or required by such notice, within 30 calendar days after such notice is attached to such sign or sign structure, the Building Commissioner may cause such sign or sign structure or any portion thereof that has been constructed or is being maintained in violation of this chapter, Article I of Chapter 13-96 of this Code or Title 14E of this Code, to be torn down. Provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the Building Commissioner, in case of imminent danger, from taking necessary or advisable precautionary measures to place such sign or sign structure in a safe condition. Provided further, that any expense incurred by the City in connection with taking such precautionary measures shall be charged to and recovered from the responsible person, as defined in Section 13-20-730, in any appropriate proceedings therefore. If the necessary alterations and repairs are not made within the time period specified, the permit for the sign or sign structure may be revoked by the Building Commissioner pursuant to Section 13-20-645. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Building Commissioner from seeking to directly revoke a permit pursuant to Section 13-20-645.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 5-2-01, p. 57403, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 18; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. II, § 18; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. I, § 21)

13-20-750 Demolition.

   If the owner or person in charge, possession, or control of any sign or structure when so notified shall refuse, fail, or neglect to comply with and conform the requirements of such notice, the building commissioner may, upon the expiration of time therein mentioned, tear down or cause to be torn down such part of such a sign or structure as is constructed and maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, and shall charge the expense to the owner or person in charge, possession, or control of any sign or structure and the same shall be recovered from such owner or person by appropriate legal proceedings.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3)

13-20-760 Abandoned signs and structures.

   (a)   "Abandoned sign" means:

      (1)   any sign that has had no copy on it for at least six consecutive months; or

      (2)   any sign that: (A) is attached to a building or lot; and (B) identifies or describes either a business that has not been located or operating in such building or lot for at least six consecutive months, or identifies or describes a product or service that has not been sold or leased within such building or lot for at least six consecutive months, or identifies or describes either a business or service which has either failed to obtain or maintain a valid City of Chicago business license or licenses, if required, for said building or lot; or

      (3)   any sign for which the sign inspection fee required by this Code has not been paid and is past due for at least six consecutive months; or

      (4)   any sign for which the permit number applicable to such sign not been displayed in the manner required by Section 13-20-620 for at least six consecutive months.

   The permit for an abandoned sign may be revoked in accordance with Section 13-20-645.

   Any abandoned sign shall be declared a hazard and the Building Department is hereby empowered to remove or to cause to be removed any such abandoned sign.

   (b)   "Abandoned sign structure" means any sign structure that:

      (1)   has not had any sign, or has had an abandoned sign, attached to it for at least six consecutive months; or

      (2)   has a sign attached to the structure for which the sign inspection fee required by this Code has not been paid and is past due for at least six consecutive months; or

      (3)   is an off-premise sign or sign or sign structure for which the permit number applicable to such sign not been displayed in the manner required by Section 13-20-620 for at least six consecutive months; or

      (4)   is an outdoor sign on which the name of the owner of such sign not been displayed in the manner required by Section 13-96-040(e) for at least six consecutive months.

   A sign structure that is removed, except as a result of criminal vandalism, such that a nonconforming sign for which a valid permit existed can no longer be displayed, will be deemed to have been abandoned. The remaining presence of in-ground or above-ground footings or portions of the poles or bracing, wiring or other apparatus shall not be grounds for retention of the nonconforming status or revival of the permit.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. IV, § 21; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. I, § 22; Amend Coun. J. 1-23-19, p. 94952, Art. I, § 10)

13-20-770 Removal of sign or structure.

   (a)   It shall be the duty of the Building Commissioner to remove or to cause the removal of any sign or sign structure that is not in compliance with this Article or Section 14E-6-600 dealing with signs. In such case, any requisite fee or compensation or inspection fee paid to the City of Chicago for such sign shall not be refunded.

   (b)   The owner of the real property, the lessee of the real property, and the person in control of such sign or sign structure shall be held jointly and severally liable for all expenses incurred by the Building Department in the performance of the Building Commissioner's duty under subsection (a) of this section to remove non- compliant signs and sign structures, and the City shall be entitled to place and record a lien on the real property until the City has been reimbursed for all such expenses in full.

(Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. II, § 19; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. I, § 23)

13-20-780 Reserved.

Editor's note – Coun. J. 4-24-12, p. 25060, § 5, repealed § 13-20-780, which pertained to stopping of current.

ARTICLE XIV. RESERVED (13-20-790 et seq.)

Editor’s note – Coun. J. 4-10-19, p. 100029, Art. XXI, § 10, repealed all remaining sections in this Article XIV, which pertained to mechanical refrigeration systems.