ARTICLE I. OUTDOOR SIGNS (13-96-010 et seq.)

Buildings defined in Section 13-56-220 as miscellaneous buildings and structures shall comply with all structural and other applicable requirements of this Code and with the special requirements of this chapter.

(Prior code § 61-1)

13-96-020 Outdoor signs – Generally.

Outdoor signs shall comply with all applicable provisions of this Code and with the special provisions of Sections 13-96-030 to 13-96-080, inclusive, and Article XIII of Chapter 13-20. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a conflict between any outdoor sign provisions in the Code, including this Chapter 13-96, and Title 17, which establishes city digital signs as exempt signs subject to the location, projection, height, sign face area and other regulations expressly set forth in such Title 17, the Title 17 regulations shall govern and control. City digital signs shall remain subject, however, to Section 13-20-675 and the structural safety and construction requirements of this Title 13, including design load, compressive stress, wind pressure, and combustibility requirements.

(Prior code § 61-2; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-12, p. 44485, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 4-30-14, p. 80382, § 4)

13-96-030 Definitions.

For the purposes of this Code, certain terms are hereby defined as follows:

(a) "Outdoor signs" shall include all fabricated signs and their supporting structures erected on the ground or attached to or supported by a building or structure.

(b) "Open sign" means a sign in which the area of any surface exposed to the wind does not exceed 50 percent of the aggregate area of the sign.

(d) "Roof sign" means a sign erected on the roof of a building.

(e) "Flat sign" means a sign which is attached to a wall of a building and projects not more than 15 inches from such wall except that lighting reflectors may project from such wall a distance not exceeding eight feet.

(f) "Projecting sign" means a sign which is attached to a wall of a building and projects more than 15 inches beyond such wall.

(g) "Marquee sign" means a sign which is mounted on or against the facia of a marquee.

(h) "Sign structure" means and consists of the supports, uprights, bracing and framework of the sign.

(i) "Structural trim" means and includes the molding, battens, cappings, nailing, strips, latticing and platforms which are attached to the sign structure.

(j) "Display surface" means the surface made available either by the structure or the sign facing for the mounting of letters and decorations.

(k) "Sign facing" means the opaque or transparent surface or surfaces of the sign, upon, against or through which the message of the sign is exhibited.

(l) "Letters and decorations" means and includes the letters, illustrations, symbols, figures, insignia and other devices employed to express and illustrate the message of the sign.

(m) "Abandoned outdoor sign" means:

(i) any outdoor sign that has had no advertising or business identification message on it for at least six consecutive months; or

(ii) any outdoor sign that: (A) is attached to a building or lot, and (B) identifies or describes either a business that has not been located in that building or lot for at least six consecutive months or a product or service not sold or leased within that 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

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

(iv) any sign for which any permit number for said sign has not been displayed in the manner required by Section 13-20-620 for at least six consecutive months.

(n) "Abandoned outdoor sign structure" means an outdoor sign structure:

(i) that has not had any sign copy, other than abandoned sign copy, attached to it for at least six consecutive months; or

(ii) that has a 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

(iii) for which any permit number for said sign or sign structure has not been displayed in the manner required by Section 13-20-620 for at least six consecutive months.

(Prior code § 61-2.1; Amend Coun. J. 2-25-88, p. 10732; Amend Coun. J. 9-27-00, p. 41633, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. I, § 27)

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