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Municipal Code of Chicago
MUNICIPAL CODE OF CHICAGO
TITLE 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
TITLE 2 CITY GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
TITLE 3 REVENUE AND FINANCE
TITLE 4 BUSINESSES, OCCUPATIONS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
TITLE 5 HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
TITLE 6 HUMAN RIGHTS*
TITLE 7 HEALTH AND SAFETY
TITLE 8 OFFENSES AFFECTING PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE
TITLE 9 VEHICLES, TRAFFIC AND RAIL TRANSPORTATION
TITLE 10 STREETS, PUBLIC WAYS, PARKS, AIRPORTS AND HARBORS
CHAPTER 10-4 ARRANGEMENT OF CITY STREETS
CHAPTER 10-8 USE OF PUBLIC WAYS AND PLACES
CHAPTER 10-12 STREET IMPROVEMENTS
CHAPTER 10-14 RESERVED
CHAPTER 10-16 UNDERGROUND WORK
CHAPTER 10-20 WORK ON AND UNDER PUBLIC WAYS
CHAPTER 10-21 CHICAGO UNDERGROUND FACILITIES DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE
CHAPTER 10-24 SIGNS EXTENDING OVER AND UPON CERTAIN PUBLIC PROPERTY
CHAPTER 10-28 STRUCTURES ON AND UNDER PUBLIC WAYS
ARTICLE I. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (10-28-010 et seq.)
ARTICLE II. CARTS BELONGING TO RETAIL STORES (10-28-080 et seq.)
ARTICLE II-A. RESERVED* (10-28-121 et seq.)
ARTICLE III. NEWSPAPER STANDS (10-28-130 et seq.)
ARTICLE IV. CANOPIES AND MARQUEES (10-28-200 et seq.)
ARTICLE IV-A. PLACEMENT OF PAY TELEPHONES IN PUBLIC WAY (10-28-265 et seq.)
ARTICLE V. AWNINGS (10-28-270 et seq.)
ARTICLE V-A. OBSTRUCTION OF STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES FOR CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MAINTENANCE PURPOSES (10-28-281 et seq.)
ARTICLE V-B. PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC WAY AND PUBLIC PLACES (10-28-281.6 et seq.)
ARTICLE V-C. CONSTRUCTION CANOPIES (10-28-282 et seq.)
ARTICLE VI. LAMPPOSTS AND LAMPS (10-28-290 et seq.)
ARTICLE VII. SIDEWALK SIGNS* (10-28-360 et seq.)
ARTICLE VIII. LAWN SPRINKLING SYSTEMS IN PUBLIC PARKWAYS (10-28-440 et seq.)
ARTICLE IX. USE OF SUBSIDEWALK SPACE (10-28-450 et seq.)
ARTICLE X. OUTDOOR DINING STREET* (10-28-590 et seq.)
ARTICLE XI. BENCHES ON PUBLIC WAYS* (10-28-640 et seq.)
ARTICLE XI-A. NEWSRACKS (10-28-750 et seq.)
ARTICLE XI-B. REFUSE COMPACTORS/GREASE CONTAINERS* (10-28-791 et seq.)
ARTICLE XI-C. DUMPSTERS/ROLL OFF BOXES ON THE PUBLIC WAY* (10-28-799 et seq.)
ARTICLE XII. SIDEWALK CAFES (10-28-800 et seq.)
ARTICLE XIII. VIOLATION OF CHAPTER PROVISIONS (10-28-990 et seq.)
ARTICLE XIV. RESERVED (10-28-1000 et seq.)
CHAPTER 10-29 WIRES, PIPES, CABLES AND CONDUITS ON, UNDER OR OVER PUBLIC PROPERTY
CHAPTER 10-30 TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT ON, OVER OR UNDER PUBLIC WAYS
CHAPTER 10-32 TREES, PLANTS AND SHRUBS
CHAPTER 10-36 PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND AIRPORTS
CHAPTER 10-40 CHICAGO HARBOR
TITLE 11 UTILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
TITLE 12 RESERVED
TITLE 13 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
TITLE 14 RESERVED*
TITLE 14A ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS OF THE CHICAGO CONSTRUCTION CODES*
TITLE 14B BUILDING CODE*
TITLE 14C CONVEYANCE DEVICE CODE*
TITLE 14E ELECTRICAL CODE*
TITLE 14F FIRE PREVENTION CODE*
TITLE 14G FUEL GAS CODE*
TITLE 14M MECHANICAL CODE*
TITLE 14N 2022 ENERGY TRANSFORMATION CODE*
TITLE 14P PLUMBING CODE*
TITLE 14R BUILDING REHABILITATION CODE*
TITLE 14X MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS*
TITLE 15 FIRE PREVENTION
TITLE 16 LAND USE
TITLE 17 CHICAGO ZONING ORDINANCE
TITLE 18 BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE
APPENDIX TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF CHICAGO (RESERVED)*
TABLES
Chicago Zoning Ordinance and Land Use Ordinance
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10-28-330 Lighting or extinguishing lamps.
   No person, unless authorized by the proper authority, shall at any time light or extinguish, or cause to be lighted or extinguished, any street lamp of the city. Any contractor who shall wilfully neglect to light any such lamp which he has contracted to light shall be liable to a fine of not more than $10.00.
(Prior code § 34-25)
10-28-340 Injuring or obstructing lampposts and lamps.
   No person shall break, deface, or in any way injure or destroy, tie any animal, hang or place any goods or merchandise, or place any goods, boxes, wood, or any other heavy material upon or against any street lamp or lamppost of the city.
(Prior code § 34-26)
10-28-350 Violation – Penalty.
   Any person violating any of the foregoing provisions of this chapter on lampposts and lamps where no other penalty is specifically provided shall be fined not more than $50.00 for each offense.
(Prior code § 34-27)
ARTICLE VII. SIDEWALK SIGNS* (10-28-360 et seq.)
* Editor's note – Coun. J. 1-13-10, p. 83228, § 1, repealed Art. VII, §§ 10-28-360 – 10-28-430, which pertained to permits for vehicle weighing scales. Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VIII, § 3, added current Article VII, Sidewalk Signs, effective March 1, 2022.
10-28-360 Definitions.
   "A-frame sign" means a sandwich board style-sign that has two sides, the frame or support structure of which is hinged or connected at the top in such a manner that the sign is easily moved or erected.
   "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department, or the Commissioner's designee.
   "Department" means the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.
   "Renewal application" means an application for a Sidewalk Sign permit at the same location and by the same person approved by the Commissioner within the previous five years.
   "Sidewalk Sign" means an A-frame, T-frame, or other temporary self-supporting type sign, placed on the public sidewalk. "Sidewalk Sign" does not include a sign placed on private property.
   "T-frame sign" means a sign that is supported by posts or other supports that are not attached to the ground or any building or structure, and that can stand on its own and is weighted at the bottom.
(Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VIII, § 3)
10-28-365 Permit required for sidewalk sign.
   (a)   It shall be unlawful for any person to place, install, or knowingly maintain on the surface of the public way a Sidewalk Sign, or a structure or device to which such a sign is affixed, without a Sidewalk Sign permit.
   (b)   A Sidewalk Sign permit shall be valid for five years from the date of issuance. The fee for a five-year Sidewalk Sign permit shall be $100.00 per annum.
   (c)   No permittee shall assign or transfer a Sidewalk Sign permit.
   (d)   A permittee holding a permit for a sidewalk café pursuant to Article XII of this chapter shall not be issued a permit for a Sidewalk Sign.
   (e)   Any Sidewalk Sign on the public way authorized pursuant to this article shall not require the issuance of a public way use permit pursuant to Section 10-28-010.
(Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VIII, § 3)
10-28-375 Permit application.
   An application for a Sidewalk Sign permit shall be made to the Commissioner, who shall make available forms for this purpose. The applicant shall provide the following information on the application:
   (a)   Proof that the applicant is validly licensed at the premises abutting on the public way where the Sidewalk Sign will be placed, or evidence that the applicant holds a valid license from a governmental entity other than the City of Chicago or is exempt from licensure.
   (b)   A photograph and sketch depicting the proposed site of the Sidewalk Sign, and a description of its relationship to the surrounding public way, showing compliance with applicable rules and demonstrating that the Sidewalk Sign shall not unreasonably interfere with: (1) adequate pedestrian flow; (2) access to building entrances; (3) pedestrian and traffic safety; and (4) the aesthetic quality of the surrounding area.
   (c)   Plans or a sketch of the proposed Sidewalk Sign, including dimensions and proposed language.
   (d)   Proof of insurance as required by this article.
   (e)   Such other information as the Commissioner may reasonably require by rule.
(Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VIII, § 3)
10-28-380 Insurance required.
   Each applicant for a Sidewalk Sign permit shall furnish proof of insurance evidencing commercial general liability insurance with limits of not less than $500,000.00 per occurrence, $1,000,000.00 in the aggregate combined single limit, for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage liability. The insurance shall provide for 30 days' prior written notice to be given to the City of Chicago if coverage is substantially changed, canceled, or non-renewed.
   The City of Chicago shall be named as an additional insured on a primary, noncontributory basis for any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of a Sidewalk Sign. Apart from and separate from any insurance requirement under this section, the permittee shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the City from any and all losses, damages, claims, and suits that result directly or indirectly from the presence of the Sidewalk Sign on the public way.
   Each Sidewalk Sign permittee shall maintain the insurance coverage required under this section for the duration of the Sidewalk Sign permit. Proof of insurance shall be presented to the Commissioner prior to the issuance of a permit under this article. Failure of the permittee to maintain the insurance required by this section shall result in the revocation of the Sidewalk Sign permit.
(Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VIII, § 3)
10-28-385 Review of application and issuance.
   (a)   The Commissioner shall review a submitted application and, if the Commissioner determines that the application is complete, shall provide written notification and a copy of the application to the alderman in whose ward the applicant intends to place a Sidewalk Sign. The alderman shall provide a recommendation to the Commissioner regarding the permit application within 30 days after receiving the permit application, unless the Commissioner determines that good cause exists for a reasonable extension, not to exceed 30 days. The recommendation regarding the permit application shall be based on the alderman's analysis of the factors for denial or revocation, as set forth in subsection (b) of this section. The alderman shall not unreasonably withhold such recommendation. The Chicago Department of Transportation shall review, and the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities may review, the Applicant's proposed location for the Sidewalk Sign to determine whether the location meets placement requirements.
   (b)   A Sidewalk Sign permit shall be denied or revoked if:
      (i)   the proposed Sidewalk Sign cannot meet the operational conditions set forth in Section 10-28-395;
      (ii)   the granting of the Sidewalk Sign permit is not in the best interest of the public, would have a deleterious impact on the neighborhood, or would create a nuisance either on the public way or the surrounding area;
      (iii)   the design of, or materials used in, the Sidewalk Sign does not comport with the quality or character of the existing streetscape; or
      (iv)   the applicant makes any false statements, submits any false information, or misrepresents any information required by this article.
   (c)   If the Commissioner finds that a renewal application meets the requirements of this article and any rules promulgated hereunder, and the applicant has not received two or more notices of violation concerning a Sidewalk Sign that were finally adjudicated and sustained during the term of the current Sidewalk Sign permit, the Commissioner shall approve the renewal application and issue a Sidewalk Sign permit to the applicant.
   (d)   After due consideration of any recommendation timely received from the alderman in whose ward the applicant intends to place a Sidewalk Sign, and of any reviews received from the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, the Commissioner shall issue the Sidewalk Sign permit if the Commissioner finds the applicant meets the applicable requirements. The Commissioner shall issue the permit m the form of a certificate or decal to be affixed to the Sidewalk Sign.
(Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VIII, § 3)
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