When Mayor Emanuel took office in 2011, he initiated a monthly small business working group

of city staff and small business partners to address issues facing small businesses in Chicago,
which continues to meet to this day. As a result of the feedback from this working group, several
sign reforms have been implemented, including eliminating the need to acquire a sign permit
when the total number of signs painted on a window does not exceed 25% of that window.

Chicagos 25% provision went into effect in March 2013 and is very business friendly when
compared to other cities. For example: 1) New York City requires a permit for all window signs
(including painted), and does not allow a single sign or any combination of signage (included
painted) to exceed 20% of a window, and 2) Los Angeles requires a permit for all window signs
(included painted) and does not allow any single sign or combination of signage (included
painted) to exceed 10% of a window.

Signs that only state hours of operation, address, phone number, open and closed, and burglar
alarm signs also do not require a permit in the city of Chicago.

The city has two dedicated sign inspectors who complete sign inspections on a biennial basis by
geographic area, as well as inspections for 311 citizen complaints and additional calls into the
department. The number of violations can vary by year depending on geographic area as more
signs are located in more densely commercial areas versus residential. The more dense business
districts are inspected on the even year cycle and districts which include more residential areas
are inspected on the odd year cycle.

After receiving multiple complaints about unpermitted signs from residents and communities, as
well as from businesses that had obtained the proper sign permits, the city implemented a
focused sign enforcement effort in the Central Business District and surrounding communities
resulting in more than 1,000 sign violations in 2012.

The sign violations from 2013 present are for any sign without a permit, including window
signs, dynamic image display signs, flat signs, ground signs, projecting sign and roof signs.

All sign violations are referred to Administrative Hearings, where compliance is a defense. The
ticket recipient can simply obtain a sign permit and bring it to the hearing to avoid paying a fine.
Further, if the business or property owner is showing good faith efforts to obtain a sign permit,
at least one continuance is granted and often entities are given multiple continuances to come
into compliance and avoid fines.

Sign Definition:
Signs are deemed to be a name, identification, description, display, illustration, or character
which is affixed to, or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure, or piece of
land and which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution,
organization, or business.

@ChicagoDOB
cityofchicago.org/buildings