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INDOOR SPECIAL EVENTS (4-156-530 et seq.)

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 4, ch. 4-156, art. IV
in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-156-530 Definitions.

4-156-530 Definitions. Whenever the following words and phrases are used in this Article IV, they shall have the following meanings: "Amusement" shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 4-156-010. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of business affairs and consumer protection. "Department" means the department of business affairs and consumer protection. "Establishment" means any building or part of a building used or intended to be used to host an indoor special event. "Indoor special event" or "event" means any temporary amusement or planned temporary aggregation of attractions or amusements, including public entertainment, food and beverage facilities, or sales of souvenirs or other merchandise or similar attractions, that is conducted primarily indoors. The term does not include private events (1) where no admission fee, minimum purchase requirement, membership fee or any form of donation or other fee or charge is imposed for the privilege of entering the premises or the portion of the premises where the event is held, and (2) that are not advertised to the public. Nor does the term include activities requiring adult use registration and certification under Chapter 16-16 of this Code. "Not-for-profit corporation" means any not-for- profit organization which (1) has been registered with the State of Illinois as a not-for-profit corporation for at least three years before application is made for a license under this chapter; and (2) qualifies for tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now or hereafter amended. "Sponsor of the event" or "sponsor" means any not-for-profit corporation which organizes or conducts an indoor special event, or who is primarily responsible for arranging to obtain the space or subsidiary services which participating vendors or exhibitors may require for the event, or in whose name or for whose support the proposed event will be held. "Temporary" means no more than six events, not to exceed three consecutive days, within any 12-month period. (Added Coun. J. 10-6-05, p. 58166, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-15-06, p. 92532, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. V, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 12-14-11, p. 17749, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-16, p. 18766, § 6)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-156-540 License - Required.

4-156-540 License - Required. (a) Unless specifically exempted, it shall be unlawful for the owner, lessee or manager of any establishment to produce, present, conduct or host an indoor special event at the establishment without first having obtained an indoor special event license issued under this Article, unless the owner, lessee or manager of the establishment has obtained a public place of amusement license issued under Article III of this Chapter 4-156. The license issued under this Article authorizes: (1) the temporary production, presentation or conduct of indoor special events at establishments; and (2) the temporary indoor or outdoor sale at retail of alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises at the licensed location, incidental to the hosting of an indoor special event at the establishment, if a special event liquor license issued under Section 4-60-070 is obtained. The dates of operation for any establishment shall be limited to six events, not to exceed three consecutive days, within any 12-month period. (b) No license under this Article shall be required if: (1) the establishment where the indoor special event is held or conducted is a church, temple, synagogue or other place of worship, or school which has been inspected pursuant to Section 14A-6-602 within the 12-month period preceding the production, presentation or conduct of any amusement; (2) the sponsor of the event is affiliated with that church, temple, synagogue or other place of worship, or school; and (3) all required food, liquor and other licenses and permits have been obtained. (c) A license under this Article shall be in addition to any other licenses and permits required by law. (Added Coun. J. 10-6-05, p. 58166, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-15-06, p. 92532, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 12-14-11, p. 17749, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-16, p. 18766, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 4-19-17, p. 48180, Art. V, § 23; Amend Coun. J. 4-10-19, p. 100029, Art. II, § 38)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-156-570 Issuance of license - Prohibited when.

4-156-570 Issuance of license - Prohibited when. No license shall be issued under this Article unless all of the following requirements are met: (a) the applicant is at least 21 years of age; (b) reserved; (c) the establishment hosting the indoor special event has not had any of the following licenses or permits issued under this Code revoked for cause at any time during the last four years: (i) a public place of amusement license issued under Chapter 4-156;(ii) an indoor special event license issued under this Article;(iii) a liquor license issued under Chapter 4-60; (iv) an outdoor special event permit issued under Section 10-8-335; or (v) an industrial private event venue license; (d) if alcoholic liquor is to be sold or otherwise provided at the event, (1) the applicant has obtained a special event liquor license approved under Section 4-60-070; and (2) the applicant has not had any liquor license issued under this Code revoked for cause at any time; (e) if food is to be sold or otherwise provided at the event, the establishment hosting the indoor special event holds a valid retail food establishment license issued under Chapter 4-8 of this Code, or the applicant has made arrangements for food service by a caterer holding a valid retail food establishment license issued under Chapter 4-8 of this Code; (f) the sponsor of the event is a not-for-profit corporation as defined in Section 4-156-530; (g) the establishment has not exceeded the limitation set forth in this Article on the number of events which can be held at the establishment within any 12-month period; (h) either the department of buildings or fire department, pursuant to a coordinated inspection schedule, have inspected the establishment at least once during the 12-month period preceding the event and have determined that the establishment complies with all applicable life safety requirements of this Code necessary to ensure the safety of public assembly units. If, within the preceding 12-month period, the establishment was inspected either by the department of buildings or fire department in connection with a permit inspection, periodic inspection, code compliance inspection or certificate of occupancy, such inspection shall be deemed to meet the inspection requirement herein. The department of buildings and fire department are authorized to conduct such additional inspections as they deem necessary to maintain health and safety. For any applicant other than a natural person, the above requirements shall apply to every principal officer and to any person owning, directly or indirectly, 25 percent or more of the interest in the applicant. (Added Coun. J. 10-6-05, p. 58166, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-16, p. 18766, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 2-22-17, p. 43916, Art. VIII, § 12)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-156-580 License - Term.

4-156-580 License - Term. Each license issued under this Article shall be valid only on the date or dates, and at the location, specified on the license. (Added Coun. J. 10-6-05, p. 58166, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 6-6-12, p. 28356, § 10; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-16, p. 18766, § 6)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-156-590 License - Posting - Transferability - Notice of changes.

4-156-590 License - Posting - Transferability - Notice of changes. Every license issued pursuant to this Article shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises. No transfer of ownership shall be allowed on any license issued under this Article. It is a condition of the license that information in the application be kept current. Any change in required information shall be reported to the commissioner without delay. (Added Coun. J. 10-6-05, p. 58166, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. V, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-16, p. 18766, § 6)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-156-600 License - Application - Deadline.

4-156-600 License - Application - Deadline. (a) An application for an indoor special event license shall be made to the commissioner, on a form supplied by the department. The application must be made at least 60 days before the event is held. (b) In addition to the requirements in Section 4-4-050, an application for a license under this Article shall be accompanied by the following: (1) the name, address and telephone number of the person authorized by the applicant to accept all notices of violation and of license suspension or revocation and closure orders; (2) the name, address and telephone number of the person authorized by the applicant to schedule all required inspections of the establishment; (3) a certificate of insurance, as required by this Article; (4) an indemnification agreement, as required by this Article; (5) the establishment’s certificate of occupancy and all other applicable certificates required by Chapter 14A-7; (6) exit diagrams, as required by this Article and floor plans for the events; (7) proof of adequate off-street parking, as required by Section 17-10-0207-V of the Chicago Zoning Ordinance; (8) the license fee; (9) (A) a description of the event; (B) the date, times and location of the event; (C) the estimated attendance at the event; (D) whether food or alcoholic liquor will be provided at the event; (E) if alcoholic liquor is to be sold or otherwise provided at the event, proof that any required liquor license has been obtained or proof of application for the same; and designation of (i) the specific site in the establishment where the applicant intends to sell alcoholic liquor; (ii) the location where the licensee will clean glasses and utensils used in the service of alcoholic liquor; and (iii) the areas where the amusements will be presented; (F) if food is to be sold or otherwise provided at the event, proof that the establishment hosting the event holds a valid retail food establishment license issued under Chapter 4-8 of this Code or that the applicant has made arrangements for food service by a caterer holding a valid retail food establishment license issued under Chapter 4-8 of this Code; (G) if applicable, the number, identity and license number of all food vendors, alcohol beverage vendors and itinerant merchants participating in the event; (H) an affidavit attesting to the not-for-profit character of the sponsor signed by the sponsor's presiding officer and secretary; and (10) any other information that the commissioner may reasonably require. (c) An application for a renewal of a license shall be accompanied by any information that the commissioner may reasonably require. (d) The commissioner shall deny an application for a license, or a renewal of a license, if the applicant fails to satisfy the requirements of this Article. The commissioner may deny an application for a license, or a renewal of a license, if the issuance of such a license would tend to create a law enforcement problem, result in or add to an undue concentration of licenses, or have a deleterious impact on the health, safety or welfare of the community in which the licensed establishment is located. (Added Coun. J. 10-6-05, p. 58166, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. V, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 105; Amend Coun. J. 10-28-15, p. 11951, Art. VI, § 18; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-16, p. 18766, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 4-10-19, p. 100029, Art. II, § 39)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-156-620 Insurance - Required.

4-156-620 Insurance - Required. (a) Prior to the issuance of any indoor special event license, each applicant shall furnish proof of insurance, issued by an insurer authorized to insure in Illinois, evidencing commercial general liability insurance, with limits of not less than $300,000.00 per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage arising in any way from the issuance of the license or activities conducted pursuant to the license. Each policy of insurance required under this section shall: (i) include a provision requiring 30 days' advance notice to the commissioner prior to cancellation or lapse of the policy; (ii) be issued by an insurer authorized to insure in the State of Illinois; and (iii) name the City of Chicago as additional insured on a primary, noncontributory basis for any liability arising directly or indirectly from the licensee's operations. The licensee shall maintain the insurance required under this subsection in full force and effect throughout the duration of the license period. Proof of insurance shall be kept on the licensed premises, and, upon request by any authorized city official, shall be made available for inspection by such authorized city official. (b) The insurance required under this section shall remain in full force and effect for the duration of the license period. The license shall be rendered void and of no effect if at any time the insurance required by this section is not in force. (Added Coun. J. 10-6-05, p. 58166, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. V, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 10-28-15, p. 11951, Art. VI, § 19; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 37901, Art. II, § 16)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-156-630 Indemnification agreement - Required.

4-156-630 Indemnification agreement - Required. Each applicant for an indoor special event license shall agree in writing to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the city for any loss that results directly or indirectly from the issuance of the license. (Added Coun. J. 10-6-05, p. 58166, § 3)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-156-640 Legal duties.

4-156-640 Legal duties. (a) A licensee and any person requiring a license under this Article shall have the following duties: (1) to designate a person who shall be present at all times during the indoor special event and who shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable rules and regulations and for accepting all notices of violation and of license suspension or revocation and closure orders; (2) to post exit diagrams, drawn to scale, in a conspicuous place at all entrances to and exits from the establishment identifying all means of egress from the establishment, including the location of all available exits and, if applicable, all floor-by-floor corridors, stairways, evacuation routes, areas of rescue assistance and elevator lobbies. Each diagram shall measure not less than 11 inches in width by 17 inches in height, and shall be (i) made of durable material; (ii) illuminated; and (iii) substantially secured to a wall or partition; (3) to post occupancy placards, reflecting the current floor plan for the premises, in accordance with the requirements of Section 14A-8-802; (4) to ensure that each vendor, exhibitor or pop-up retail user participating in the event has and posts all licenses required by law; (5) to maintain sanitary conditions in any area where food for the event is prepared, served or stored, or where glasses or utensils used in the service of alcoholic liquor and other beverages are kept and cleaned; and (6) to provide and maintain in sanitary condition proper and sufficient toilet facilities, consisting of water closets or chemical closets equipped with a sink or hand-sanitizer-gel-dispensers, for use by persons attending the event. (b) Any vendor, exhibitor or pop-up retail user participating in an indoor special event shall have and post all licenses required by law. The requirements set forth in this section shall apply to every principal officer of the applicant. (Added Coun. J. 10-6-05, p. 58166, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-16, p. 18766, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 9-20-18, p. 84293, § 10; Amend Coun. J. 4-10-19, p. 100029, Art. II, § 40)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-156-650 Unlawful acts.

4-156-650 Unlawful acts. It shall be unlawful for any licensee or for any person requiring a license under this Article to do the following: (a) To exceed the limitation on the number of events which can be held at the establishment within any 12-month period; (b) To exceed the establishment's occupancy, as set forth on the posted occupancy placards; (c) To conduct any activity at an event requiring adult use registration and certification under Chapter 16-16 of this Code; (d) To sell alcoholic liquor after 12:00 midnight and before 12:00 noon; (e) To sell alcoholic liquor or present amusements outside the sites designated on the license application. The prohibitions set forth in this section shall apply to every principal officer of the applicant. (Added Coun. J. 10-6-05, p. 58166, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-16, p. 18766, § 6)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-156-660 License - Suspension - Revocation.

4-156-660 License - Suspension - Revocation. The commissioner may at any time suspend or revoke any indoor special event license issued under this Article if the event is operating in violation of this Code or any other applicable law, or if such suspension or revocation is necessary to preserve the health or safety of the public. At the time of the suspension or revocation, notice of the suspension or revocation with the reasons therefor shall be mailed to or served upon the licensee or any person designated by the licensee pursuant to this Article. Unless the license will expire by its own terms before a hearing can be reasonably scheduled, no such suspension or revocation shall take effect until the licensee has been given notice and an opportunity to be heard in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the department. If necessary to prevent an immediate threat to the health or safety of the public, the commissioner shall order the licensee to cease operation of the indoor special event pending the outcome of the hearing. (Added Coun. J. 10-6-05, p. 58166, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. V, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-16, p. 18766, § 6)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-156-670 Judicial review.

4-156-670 Judicial review. Any action of the commissioner in denying or revoking a license under this article shall be subject to judicial review as provided by law. (Added Coun. J. 10-6-05, p. 58166, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. V, § 5)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-156-680 Regulations.

4-156-680 Regulations. The commissioner shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this Article. Notice of any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this Article shall be published, and such rules and regulations shall be kept on file in the office of the commissioner and made available to the public for inspection and copying during normal business hours. (Added Coun. J. 10-6-05, p. 58166, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. V, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-16, p. 18766, § 6)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-156-700 Violation - Penalty.

4-156-700 Violation - Penalty. Except as otherwise provided in this Article, any person violating any of the requirements of this Article shall be subject to a fine of not more than $10,000.00 for each offense. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense to which a separate fine shall apply. (Added Coun. J. 10-6-05, p. 58166, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-16, p. 18766, § 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/0-0-0-2634405Fetched: 10/24/2026

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