Prohibited signs.
Municipal Code of Chicago § 17-12-0700
in effect17-12-0700 Prohibited signs.
The following are prohibited in all zoning districts:
17-12-0701 strobe lights;
17-12-0702 roof signs, except those allowed as high-rise building signs pursuant to the definition of high-rise building signs and the standards of Sec. 17-12-1005-D;
17-12-0703 abandoned sign structure;
17-12-0704 dangerous signs;
17-12-0705 portable electric signs;
Figure 17-12-0705
[image omitted; see the official code]
17-12-0706 signs attached to or painted on a parked motor vehicle or parked trailer if visible from the public right-of-way, unless the vehicle or trailer is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business;
17-12-0707 signs that imitate or resemble official traffic lights, signs or signals or signs that interfere with the effectiveness of any official traffic light, sign or signal;
17-12-0708 signs (including city digital signs) that focus or flash a beam of light into the eyes of a driver of a motor vehicle upon a right-of-way within 200 feet from such sign; and
17-12-0709 signs erected, constructed or structurally altered that are required to have a permit that were erected, constructed or altered without a permit.
17-12-0710 signs attached, erected, maintained or installed on a fence located on or near the perimeter of any surface parking lot.
(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-12, p. 44485, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 2-13-13, p. 47133, § 2)
17-12-0711 video display signs; provided that this prohibition does not apply to any video display sign located within a planned development in which the principal use is: (1) a sports stadium; or (2) an exhibition or convention center.
(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-12, p. 44485, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 2-13-13, p. 47133, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 4-30-14, p. 80382, § 5)
Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2683448Fetched: 10/24/2026