COMMERCIAL GARAGES* (4-232-130 et seq.)

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 4, ch. 4-232, art. IV

in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-130 Public and accessory garage defined.

4-232-130 Public and accessory garage defined. "Public garage", as used in this chapter, means any building, structure, premises, enclosure or other place, except a public way, within the city, where four or more motor vehicles are stored, housed or parked for hire, in a condition ready for use, or where rent or compensation is paid to the owner, manager or lessee of the premises for the housing, storing, sheltering or keeping of such motor vehicles. However, the term "public garage" shall not include the following: (i) any parking facility which is defined as an "accessory garage" pursuant to this section and (ii) those accessory parking facilities which are open only to those persons who reside on the same zoning lot as the accessory parking facility. "Public garage – enclosed", as used in this chapter, means any public garage enclosed within a building. The capacity of such building shall be figured on the gross interior floor area, exclusive of elevator shafts, ramps, areas designed for the passage of vehicles such as aisles, and space enclosed by partitions which is actually used for offices, toilets, washrooms and waiting areas for the public, and by allowing 200 square feet of such floor area for each motor vehicle. "Public garage – not enclosed", as used in this chapter means any public garage not enclosed within a building having four walls and a roof extending from wall to wall and covering the entire space enclosed by such walls. "Public garage – entertainment", means any public parking facility accommodating four or more vehicles, not enclosed within a building, and devoted to parking purpose only in conjunction with the presentation of a sporting event, concert or other public entertainment. "Accessory garage" as used in this chapter, means any building, structure, premises, enclosure or other place, which: (i) meets the definition of an "accessory use", as that term is defined in the Zoning Ordinance, (ii) makes four or more parking spaces available, for any fee or charge, to residents, tenants, users, employees and/or guests of the principle use located on the same zoning lot where the garage is located and (iii) makes such parking only available to such residents, tenants, users, employees and guests of the principle use located on the same zoning lot where the garage is located, and not to the general public. However, "accessory garage" shall also mean those accessory residential parking facilities which allot a specified percentage of parking spaces to persons other than residents, pursuant to Section 17-10-0503. "Accessory garage" does not include those accessory parking facilities which are open exclusively to those persons who reside on the same zoning lot where the garage is located. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, such resident-only facilities are not required to be licensed under this chapter. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 4-16-97, p. 42588; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-99, p. 89860; Amend Coun. J. 3-10-99, p. 91091; Amend Coun. J. 11-7-18, p. 88803, § 12)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-140 Transient and regular cars designated.

4-232-140 Transient and regular cars designated. Whenever the term "transient car" appears in this chapter, the same shall be deemed to be a motor vehicle stored for hire in a public or accessory garage for a limited period in excess of 24 hours but not stored regularly in such garage. Wherever the term "regular car" is used in this chapter, the same shall be deemed and held to be a motor vehicle regularly stored in such public or accessory garage. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-99, p. 89860, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-150 License - Required.

4-232-150 License - Required. No person shall engage in any of the following business activities ("covered business activity") without first having obtained a commercial garage license under this Article IV: (1) public garage, or (2) accessory garage. The covered business activity authorized under a commercial garage license shall be stated on the face of such license. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-99, p. 89860, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 2-22-17, p. 43916, Art. V, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. VI, § 3)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-160 License - Application - Investigation.

4-232-160 License - Application - Investigation. An application for a commercial garage license under this Article IV shall be made in conformity with the general requirements of this Code relating to applications for licenses. In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 4-4-050, the applicant shall, if applicable, also specify the construction of the building in which the garage is located, the number of stories in such building, and the number of square feet of floor area in each of the stories in such building. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 4-16-97, p. 42588; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-99, p. 89860, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 10-5-11, p. 8801, § 14; Amend Coun. J. 2-22-17, p. 43916, Art. V, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. VI, § 4)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-165 Access for disabled.

4-232-165 Access for disabled. All parking lots and garages and accessory garages must comply with the applicable sections of the Illinois Accessibility Code as promulgated by the Capital Development Board pursuant to the Environmental Barriers Act (Illinois Revised Statutes 1991, Ch. 111-1/2 par. 3711, et seq.). The Accessibility Code specifies as the minimum number, location and size of parking spaces for persons with disabilities. Parking lot and garage and accessory garage licensees must comply with the other requirements, including, but not limited to, the height and width of signs designating these parking spaces. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-99, p. 89860, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-170 License - Classification - Fee.

4-232-170 License - Classification - Fee. The fee for a commercial garage license shall be as set forth in Section 4-5-010. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 4-16-97, p. 42588; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-99, p. 89860, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 2-22-17, p. 43916, Art. V, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. VI, § 5)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-180 Public garage - Not enclosed - Requirements.

4-232-180 Public garage - Not enclosed - Requirements. In all public garage – not enclosed garages, the location of service buildings on the premises shall meet the requirements of this Code. Whenever the capacity of such a garage has been reached, the owner or operator thereof shall immediately post a notice in a conspicuous place on the entry side of the garage where it will be clearly visible to drivers of motor vehicles in the abutting street, indicating that no more space is available in the garage. Such owner or operator shall also post and maintain permanently a sign, similarly visible, indicating the charges for parking therein. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 123)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-190 Public garage - Entertainment - Location - Hours of operation.

4-232-190 Public garage - Entertainment - Location - Hours of operation. A public garage – entertainment must be located within one-half mile of the nearest exterior portion of a stadium or other structure having a capacity of 5,000 or more and licensed as a public place of amusement under Article III of Chapter 4-156 of this Code. The distance shall be measured from any parking area of or entrance to the garage to the stadium. Such a garage may operate only on days when sporting events or other entertainments are presented in such public place of amusement. A public garage – entertainment may open no more than two hours before and must close no later than two hours after a sporting event or other entertainment; the licensee or an employee of the licensee must be present during all hours of operation. A public garage – entertainment may be located only on premises for which a valid certificate of occupancy and valid driveway permit have been issued. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 4-19-17, p. 48180, Art. V, § 37; Amend Coun. J. 12-15-21, p. 42674, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-200 Reserved. Editor's note – Coun. J. 5-23-22, p. 47797, § 1, repealed § 4-232-200, which pertained to location.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-210 Public garage - Enclosed - Additional privileges.

4-232-210 Public garage - Enclosed - Additional privileges. Every person licensed to conduct or operate a public garage – enclosed shall have the privilege of conducting or operating within the same building, structure, premises or enclosure the business of a car wash and the business of a filling station as defined in Section 4-108-010; provided, that the combined capacity of all containers or tanks, either portable or stationary, for the storage of ether, carbon bisulphite, gasoline, naphtha, benzole, hydrocarbon, liquefied petroleum gas, acetone, kerosene, turpentine or other flammable liquids having a flash point below 165 degrees Fahrenheit does not exceed 3,000 gallons. Where the combined capacity of all containers and tanks exceeds 3,000 gallons, a filling station license shall be required in addition to the public garage license. These flammable liquids shall be dispensed from pumps and containers within the garage; provided, further, that where such garage owner operates a filling station on the outside of the garage building or enclosure in such a manner that motor vehicles may approach thereto over a driveway and be supplied therefrom in the same manner as at other filling stations, all the provisions of this Code relating to filling stations shall apply with equal force to the filling station so operated by such garage owner. The additional privileges in this section conferred shall not be extended to public garage – not enclosed as defined in this chapter. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 4-16-97, p. 42588)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-220 Building and fire regulations.

4-232-220 Building and fire regulations. The construction of garages and garage equipment shall be made and shall be maintained in accordance with the building provisions of this Code. All public and accessory garages shall be conducted and operated in accordance with the fire regulations of this Code and shall be inspected by the fire commissioner at least once every six months. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-99, p. 89860, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 18)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-225 Smoking prohibited.

4-232-225 Smoking prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to permit smoking in any public garage, or places where flammable material is sorted. (Amend Coun. J. 4-16-97, p. 42588)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-230 Public records.

4-232-230 Public records. It is hereby made the duty of each person operating a public garage in this city to keep for public inspection a record of the license numbers and engine numbers of all motor vehicles taken in or held in charge by said garage for the purpose of sale, rental, livery, storage or repair. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-240 Return of patron's automobile keys.

4-232-240 Return of patron's automobile keys. Each person operating a public parking facility shall remain open for a long enough period of time to return a patron's automobile keys or make arrangements for the safe return of such keys. Any person found in violation of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00, revocation of license, or to both such fine and revocation. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-250 Garage register - Required.

4-232-250 Garage register - Required. It shall be the duty of the owner or operator of any such public garage or accessory garage to provide a register in book form, in which the owner or driver of any transient car to be stored in such public garage or accessory garage shall enter legibly in writing, in the English language, at the time any such motor vehicle is brought therein for storage, the date so delivered, the owner's name and address, the chauffeur's or driver's name and address, the trade or other name of the motor vehicle, its type, color, engine number, serial number, state license number and city license number, together with such other distinguishing marks as the owner or operator of such garage may deem necessary in order to identify fully such vehicle. When any such transient vehicle is claimed and taken out by its owner or authorized representative, it shall be the duty of said owner or operator of such public or accessory garage to note the date when the same is taken out. It shall be unnecessary for such owner or operator of a public or accessory garage to require the signing of the garage register for a car regularly stored therein, except upon the initial date of storage. The garage register of any public or accessory garage shall at all times be open to the inspection and investigation of all members of the police department of the city. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-99, p. 89860, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-260 Alteration of engine number - Police notification.

4-232-260 Alteration of engine number - Police notification. It shall be the duty of the owner or operator of any public or accessory garage to notify at once the nearest police station, immediately upon the discovery by such owner or operator, or any employee thereof, of any alteration or obliteration of any engine number on any motor vehicle stored in such public or accessory garage, and to hold such motor vehicle for a period of at least 24 hours or until complete investigation of all facts surrounding such alteration or obliteration shall have been made by the police department of the city. If resistance is made, notice shall be given at once to the police department or to any police officer within call. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-99, p. 89860, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-270 Licensee's obligation.

4-232-270 Licensee's obligation. It shall be the duty of every holder of a public garage license to admit representatives of the police department, the department of finance designated by the comptroller and the city clerk's office to the licensed garage for purposes of ascertaining whether vehicles parked therein are in compliance with Chapter 3-56. It shall be the duty of every holder of an accessory garage license that allots a percentage of parking spaces to the general public to admit the foregoing representatives for the foregoing purposes to all areas of such garage where vehicles of the general public may be parked. (Added Coun. J. 11-12-03, p. 11505, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 7-27-05, p. 53211, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. V, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 13798, Art. I, § 4) Editor's note – Formerly codified as § 4-32-065. Coun. J. 4-16-97, p. 42588, repealed former § 4-232-270, which pertained to use of alley as driveway – permit required.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-280 Use of flammable liquids restricted.

4-232-280 Use of flammable liquids restricted. Gasoline, benzine, naphtha and similar flammable liquids shall not be used for washing or cleaning purposes within any garage nor in the open air within a distance of 50 feet of any repair pit or any opening from any basement space. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-290 Disposal of flammable liquids, rags and soiled waste.

4-232-290 Disposal of flammable liquids, rags and soiled waste. Waste oil or other flammable liquids shall be stored in metal containers pending removal from the premises. No such waste shall be permitted to drain into any sewers or stormwater drainage system. Rags and soiled waste shall be kept in metal containers. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-300 Prevention of gasoline spills or overflows.

4-232-300 Prevention of gasoline spills or overflows. Provisions shall be made in service or filling stations by grading driveways, or raising door sills or other means, to prevent gasoline spills or overflows from flowing into or under buildings. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-232-310 License revocation.

4-232-310 License revocation. The Commissioner shall have the right to revoke, in accordance with Section 4-4-280, the license of any commercial garage within the meaning of Section 4-232-150 for any violation of this chapter, and may withhold the issuance of any new license on account of any conviction thereunder. (Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-99, p. 89860, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. VI, § 6)

Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2635702Fetched: 10/24/2026