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(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)
(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)
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.