17-1-0200 Effective date.

   Except for Chapter 17-4 (Downtown Districts), the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance become effective on August 1, 2004. Chapter 17-4 (Downtown Districts) of this Zoning Ordinance becomes effective on November 1, 2004.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 7-21-04, p. 28848)

17-1-0300 Authority.

   This Zoning Ordinance is adopted pursuant to the powers granted and limitations imposed by state law and the city's home rule authority.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275)

17-1-0400 Applicability.

   The regulations of this Zoning Ordinance apply to all development, public or private, within the corporate limits of the City of Chicago, unless otherwise expressly exempted or provided in this Zoning Ordinance.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275)

17-1-0500 Purpose and intent.

   This Zoning Ordinance is adopted for the purpose of:

   17-1-0501 promoting the public health, safety and general welfare;

   17-1-0502 preserving the overall quality of life for residents and visitors;

   17-1-0503 protecting the character of established residential neighborhoods;

   17-1-0504 maintaining economically vibrant as well as attractive business and commercial areas;

   17-1-0505 retaining and expanding the city's industrial base;

   17-1-0506 implementing the policies and goals contained with officially adopted plans, including the Central Area Plan;

   17-1-0507 promoting pedestrian, bicycle and transit use;

   17-1-0508 maintaining orderly and compatible land use and development patterns;

   17-1-0509 ensuring adequate light, air, privacy, and access to property;

   17-1-0510 encouraging environmentally responsible development practices;

   17-1-0511 promoting rehabilitation and reuse of older buildings;

   17-1-0512 maintaining a range of housing choices and options;

   17-1-0513 establishing clear and efficient development review and approval procedures;

   17-1-0514 accommodating growth and development that complies with the preceding stated purposes; and

   17-1-0515 Enabling the city to establish an integrated network of city digital signs.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-12, p. 44485, § 6)

17-1-0600 General rules of interpretation.

   17-1-0601 Numbering Style. The first two numerals in a section number correspond to the Title of the Municipal Code in which the section is located – Title 17 in the case of this Zoning Ordinance. Chapter numbers are found between the first and second dashes in the section number. Thus "17-1-XXXX" identifies the first chapter of Title 17. The first two numerals following the second dash identify the section number. The third and fourth numerals following the second dash identify the subsection number. Thus, "17-1-0601" identifies Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 6, subsection 1.

   17-1-0602 Meanings and Intent. The language of the Zoning Ordinance must be read literally. Regulations are no more or less strict than stated. Words listed in Chapter 17-17 have the specific meaning assigned, unless the context expressly indicates another meaning. Words that are not defined in Chapter 17-17 have the meaning given in the latest edition of Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.

   17-1-0603 Tenses and Usage.

      17-1-0603-A Words used in the singular include the plural. The reverse is also true.

      17-1-0603-B Words used in the present tense include the future tense. The reverse is also true.

      17-1-0603-C The words "must", "will", "shall" and "may not" are mandatory.

      17-1-0603-D The word "may" is permissive, and "should" is advisory, not mandatory or required.

      17-1-0603-E When used with numbers, "Up to X", "Not more than X" and "a maximum of X" all include X.

   17-1-0604 Conjunctions. Unless the context otherwise clearly indicates, conjunctions have the following meanings:

      17-1-0604-A "And" indicates that all connected items or provisions apply; and

      17-1-0604-B "Or" indicates that the connected items or provisions may apply singularly or in combination.

   17-1-0605 Fractions.

      17-1-0605-A Minimum Requirements. When a regulation is expressed in terms of a minimum requirement, any fractional result of 0.5 or more must be rounded up to the next consecutive whole number. For example, if a minimum requirement of one tree for every 30 linear feet is applied to a 50-foot dimension, the resulting fraction of 1.67 is rounded up to 2 required trees.

      17-1-0605-B Maximum Limits. When a regulation is expressed in terms of maximum limits, any fractional result will be rounded down to the next lower whole number. For example, if a maximum limit of one dwelling unit for every 2,500 square feet is applied to a 6,250 square foot lot, the resulting fraction of 2.5 is rounded down to 2 (allowed dwelling units).

   17-1-0606 Headings and Illustrations. Headings and illustrations are provided for convenience and reference only and do not define or limit the scope of any provision of this Zoning Ordinance. In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this Zoning Ordinance and any heading, drawing, table, figure, or illustration, the text controls.

   17-1-0607 References to Other Regulations. All references in the Zoning Ordinance to other city, county, state, or federal regulations are for informational purposes only, and do not constitute a complete list of such regulations. These references do not imply any responsibility by the city for enforcement of county, state, or federal regulations.

   17-1-0608 Current Versions and Citations. All references to other city, county, state, or federal regulations in the Zoning Ordinance refer to the most current version and citation for those regulations, unless expressly indicated otherwise. When the referenced regulations have been repealed and not replaced by other regulations, Zoning Ordinance requirements for compliance are no longer in effect.

   17-1-0609 Lists and Examples. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, lists of items or examples that use "including", "such as", or similar terms are intended to provide examples only. They are not to be construed as exhaustive lists of all possibilities.

   17-1-0610 Delegation of Authority. Whenever a provision appears requiring the head of a department or another officer or employee of the city to perform an act or duty, that provision will be construed as authorizing the department head or officer to delegate that responsibility to others over whom they have authority. Delegation of authority is not allowed when the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance expressly prohibit such a delegation.

   17-1-0611 Public Officials and Agencies. All employees, public officials, bodies, and agencies to which references are made are those of the City of Chicago unless otherwise expressly stated.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 3-9-05, p. 44391)

17-1-0700 Development manual.

   17-1-0701 The city may establish submittal requirements, review procedures and design/development guidelines to supplement this Zoning Ordinance. These documents are referred to collectively as the Development Manual.

   17-1-0702 The Development Manual must be approved by the Zoning Administrator and made available for distribution, purchase or public inspection in the Department of Planning and Development.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. VII, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-17-10, p. 106597, Art. IX, § 11; Amend Coun. J. 11-26-13, p. 67481, Art. I, § 30)

17-1-0800 Official zoning atlas and maps.

   17-1-0801 Adoption. The location and boundaries of the zoning districts established by this Zoning Ordinance are shown on the Official Zoning Atlas, which – together with all notations, references, data and other information shown on the maps that comprise the atlas – is adopted and incorporated into this Zoning Ordinance.

   17-1-0802 Maintenance. The Official Zoning Atlas is maintained in the office of the Zoning Administrator. In case of any dispute regarding the zoning classification of property subject to this Zoning Ordinance, the Official Zoning Atlas maintained by the Zoning Administrator governs.

   17-1-0803 Location of District Boundaries. The following rules apply in interpreting zoning district boundaries when the location of such boundaries is unclear.

      17-1-0803-A Where zoning district boundary lines are indicated as following streets or alleys or extensions thereof, such boundary lines are to be construed as the center lines of said streets, alleys or extensions.

      17-1-0803-B Where zoning district boundary lines are indicated as adjoining railroads, such boundary lines are to be construed as the boundary lines of the railroad rights-of-way, unless otherwise dimensioned.

      17-1-0803-C Where zoning district boundary lines are indicated as adjoining expressways, such boundary lines are to be construed as the boundary lines of the expressway rights-of-way, unless otherwise dimensioned.

      17-1-0803-D Dimensioned zoning district boundary lines shown on the zoning maps are intended to coincide with property lines. Where a dimensioned boundary line coincides approximately with but not exactly with a property line that existed on the effective date of incorporation of such boundary line into the zoning maps, that boundary line is to be construed as the property line that existed at that location at the time of incorporation of that boundary line into the zoning maps.

      17-1-0803-E Streets or alleys that have been vacated will be construed to fall in the same zoning district as the lots or parcels abutting both sides of the street or alley involved. If the lots or parcels abutting each side of the street or alley were classified in different zoning districts before the street or alley was vacated, the center line of the vacated street or alley will be construed as the boundary line between the respective zoning districts.

   17-1-0804 Zoning of Annexed Lands. Before annexation of any territory into the City of Chicago, a zoning plan for the area to be annexed must be forwarded to the City Council by the Commissioner of Planning and Development.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. VII, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 242; Amend Coun. J. 11-26-13, p. 67481, Art. I, § 30)

17-1-0900 Minimum requirements.

   The provisions of this Zoning Ordinance are the minimum requirements deemed necessary to carry out the Zoning Ordinance's stated purpose and intent.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275)