SIGNS EXTENDING OVER AND UPON CERTAIN PUBLIC PROPERTY

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 10, ch. 10-24

in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-24-010 Permit required.

10-24-010 Permit required. After the effective date of this chapter, no permit for the erection of any sign of any kind or description which extends over or upon any part of the following described public property: That part of N. State Street and S. State Street between a line connecting the south lines of E. Wacker Drive and W. Wacker Drive and a line connecting the north lines of E. Harrison Street and W. Harrison Street shall be issued except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Permits for existing signs may be renewed from time to time, but no existing signs shall be enlarged or altered unless such enlarged or altered sign complies with the provisions of this chapter. If any existing sign is removed or demolished and replaced with a new sign, such new sign shall comply with the provisions of this chapter, provided if any existing sign is removed or dismantled, it may be replaced with a sign of substantially the same size and character. (Prior code § 34.1-1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-24-020 Construction.

10-24-020 Construction. All signs erected, enlarged or altered after the effective date of this chapter, except signs on canopies, awnings and marquees, which extend over or upon any part of the public property described in Section 10-24-010 of this chapter shall be placed flat against the face of the building or structure to which they are attached with the face of the sign parallel to the lot line, and if placed less than nine feet above sidewalk grade shall not project more than two inches beyond the lot line, and if placed nine feet or more above sidewalk grade shall not project more than 12 inches beyond the lot line; provided if any existing sign is removed or dismantled, it may be replaced with a new sign of substantially the same size and character. No such sign shall be placed below three feet above the established sidewalk grade. Such signs may be illuminated, but flashing or any type of variable illumination shall not be permitted. All such signs shall be made of metal, glass or other incombustible material and shall bear thereon no lettering other than to indicate the name and kind of business conducted in the building or structure, such as men's clothing, drugs, jeweler and the like, and the year the business was established and the street number thereof. No such sign shall advertise any particular article of merchandise. (Prior code § 34.1-2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-24-030 Alteration.

10-24-030 Alteration. No sign to which this chapter applies shall be erected, enlarged or altered unless and until a permit is secured therefor in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Code and the requisite fee or compensation or both have been paid. All such signs shall be constructed, erected and maintained in strict compliance with all the applicable provisions of this Code. (Prior code § 34.1-3)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-24-040 Restrictions.

10-24-040 Restrictions. No flexible awning, canopy, fixed awning or marquee which extends over or upon any part of the public property described in Section 10-24-010 of this chapter shall carry any signs, words or advertising device whatever other than lettering to indicate the name of the business, the year the business was established and the street number. Theater marquees may also carry signs indicating the name and describing the subject matter of the attraction and the name or names of the featured players, if any, but such signs shall be limited to five lines of lettering on each side of the marquee. The lettering of signs permitted under this section shall not exceed 24 inches in height. Such marquees and the sign thereon may be illuminated with fixed, flashing or variable illumination. (Prior code § 34.1-4)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-24-050 Removal.

10-24-050 Removal. Any sign which is erected, altered or maintained in violation of this section shall forthwith be removed. The person to whom the permit for such sign was issued and the owner of the real estate to which the sign is attached shall be jointly and severally liable for the removal of such sign. If such sign is not removed, the City of Chicago may remove the same and charge the expense of such removal to the person or persons liable therefor. (Prior code § 34.1-5)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-24-060 Violation - Penalty.

10-24-060 Violation - Penalty. Any person who erects, enlarges, alters or maintains a sign or signs in violation of, or otherwise violates, any of the provisions of this chapter shall be fined not less than $5.00 nor more than $200.00 for each offense. A separate and distinct offense shall be held to have been committed each day if any person continues to violate any of the provisions of this chapter. (Prior code § 34.1-6)

Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2651311Fetched: 10/24/2026