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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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10-28-395 Operational conditions.
   (a)   Only one Sidewalk Sign shall be allowed per street address. A business that operates at an expanded address shall be allowed only one sign.
   (b)   A Sidewalk Sign shall be placed on the sidewalk in front of the licensed business, and shall comply in all respects with the approved specifications set out in the application.
   (c)   A Sidewalk Sign shall not be placed in a street or alley, and shall not be placed on a vehicle or vehicle trailer in a street or alley.
   (d)   A Sidewalk Sign shall be no larger than six square feet in area per face and no greater than four feet in height.
   (e)   A Sidewalk Sign shall contain information only for goods and services provided on the premises by the permittee pursuant to the permittee's licensing and may not contain any information or reference for goods or services not provided on the premises by the permittee.
   (f)   A Sidewalk Sign shall be professionally printed, or handwritten using clean lettering on a dark surface.
   (g)   A Sidewalk Sign shall not be directly illuminated.
   (h)   A Sidewalk Sign shall not be displayed when weather creates a potential hazard, including during high wind or heavy rain or snow conditions.
   (i)   A Sidewalk Sign shall not be bolted, chained, tied, or otherwise affixed to the public way or any object thereon.
   (j)   A Sidewalk Sign shall be displayed only during hours that the permittee's business is open to the public, and shall be removed from the public way when the permittee's business has closed to the public for the day.
   (k)   An uninterrupted six-foot clear pedestrian path shall remain after placement of a Sidewalk Sign. This path shall be as straight as possible on a block.
   (l)   A Sidewalk Sign shall be constructed to allow a ten-inch cane detection.
   (m)   A Sidewalk Sign shall not be allowed within the Central Business District, as such district is defined in Section 9-4-010.
   (n)   There shall be no less than a two-foot uninterrupted setback from the face of the curb to a Sidewalk Sign.
   (o)   A Sidewalk Sign shall not be allowed within 30 feet of an intersection, 20 feet of a crosswalk ramp, or 12 feet of a driveway or alley.
   (p)   A Sidewalk Sign shall be placed at least 6 feet from any bicycle rack.
   (q)   A Sidewalk Sign shall not be placed in front of a Loading Zone, Standing Zone, Taxi Cab Stand, Bus Stop, Handicapped Parking Zone, or Curb Cut.
   (r)   A Sidewalk Sign shall not block or cover a parking payment device, fire hydrant, or grate.
   (s)   A Sidewalk Sign shall not contain any decorations, accessories, or appendages, including but not limited to: balloons, streamers, pennants, flags, banners, lights, audio or video device, or other items.
   (t)   A Sidewalk Sign shall contain only a static copy and sign faces, and in no event may a Sidewalk Sign display a dynamic image copy or sign face including, but not limited to, characteristics that appear to have movement or that appear to change, caused by any method other than physically removing and replacing the copy or sign face. Dynamic image copy and sign face includes, but is not limited to, any rotating, revolving, moving, blinking, or animated display, and any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, "digital ink", or any other method or technology that allows the sign face to present a series of images or displays.
   (u)   A Sidewalk Sign shall be constructed of sufficiently sturdy material so that it remains upright on its own and may not be weighted down or supported by any other means, including, but not limited to, sandbags, bricks, cinder blocks, planks, dead weights, concrete molds, or other similar separate means.
   (v)   The permittee shall temporarily remove a Sidewalk Sign from the public way upon the order of the Police Department, Fire Department, or other authorized City personnel for public safety reasons.
   (w)   A certificate or decal issued pursuant to Section 10-28-385(d) shall be affixed to a Sidewalk Sign and made visible and unobstructed at all times.
   (x)   A Sidewalk Sign shall comply with any other operational conditions reasonably required by this article and any rules promulgated thereunder.
(Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VIII, § 3)
10-28-400 Exemption.
   This article shall not apply to a sign specifically allowed by another provision of this Code, by a duly enacted ordinance, when authorized by contract entered into by the Chief Procurement Officer in cooperation with the Commissioner of Transportation pursuant to Section 10-28-045, or by contract entered into by the Chief Financial Officer and approved by the City Council pursuant to Section 10-28-046.
(Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VIII, § 3)
10-28-405 Promulgation of rules.
   The Commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules to carry out the purposes of this article. A permittee shall comply with the rules promulgated pursuant to this article, which shall have the force and effect of law.
(Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VIII, § 3)
10-28-410 Enforcement.
   The Department, Chicago Department of Transportation, and the Department of Streets and Sanitation shall have authority to enforce this article and rules promulgated thereunder. Any Sidewalk Sign found to be in violation shall subject the permittee to a fine and/or revocation of the permittee's Sidewalk Sign permit. Any Sidewalk Sign found to be unsafe, to present a hazard, or to impair a clear walkway shall be subject to removal.
(Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VIII, § 3)
10-28-415 Permit revocation.
   (a)   The Commissioner shall have the power to fine a permittee, and/or to suspend or revoke a Sidewalk Sign permit for good and sufficient cause if the Commissioner determines that the permittee or its employee or agent has violated any provision of this article, or any rule promulgated thereunder. Provided, however, that no permit shall be suspended or revoked unless the permittee is first given five days' written notice of a public hearing, which shall provide the permittee with an opportunity to appear and defend. Such public hearing shall be held before a hearing officer, who shall report his or her findings to the Commissioner. If, after such hearing, the Commissioner imposes a fine or suspends or revokes the Sidewalk Sign permit, the Commissioner shall, within 60 calendar days after the hearing is completed, (1) state the reason for such determination in a written order, and (2) serve a copy of such order upon the permittee.
   (b)   A permittee who wishes to appeal the Commissioner's written order may appeal to the Department of Administrative Hearings as follows:
      (1)   The permittee shall file an appeal with the Department of Administrative hearings within five business days after the date of the notice of the Commissioner's written order. If no appeal is filed within five business days of the date of the Commissioner's written order, that written order shall be deemed final.
      (2)   Upon the filing of such appeal, the Department of Administrative Hearings shall cause a hearing to be held within five business days, and based upon the evidence contained in the record of such hearing, either affirm or reverse the Commissioner's written order.
      (3)   Any final decision of the Department of Administrative Hearings shall be subject to judicial review in accordance with applicable law.
(Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VIII, § 3)
10-28-420 Surrender of decal.
   In the event of suspension, revocation, or other cancellation of a Sidewalk Sign permit, the permittee shall surrender to the Department any certificate or decal associated with such permit.
(Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VIII, § 3)
10-28-425 Violation – Penalties.
   (a)   Any person who violates any of the provisions of this article or rules promulgated thereunder shall be subject to a fine of not less than $200.00 nor more than $500.00 for each offense, and each day such a violation continues shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense.
   (b)   In addition to any other fine or penalty provided, any person who knowingly interferes with or impedes the Commissioner, Chicago Department of Transportation, or the Department of Streets and Sanitation in the enforcement of this article may be subject to incarceration for a term not to exceed six months.
   (c)   In addition to any other penalty provided herein, any Sidewalk Sign placed without a valid permit is subject to removal from the public way by the Commissioner, Chicago Department of Transportation, or the Department of Streets and Sanitation.
(Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VIII, § 3)
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