Signs

A sign is “any name, identification, description, display, illustration, or character which: (1) is affixed to, or represented directly or indirectly upon, a building, structure, or piece of land; . . . (2) directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business,” or (3) anything defined as a sign in the Chicago Zoning Ordinance.

A building permit (or sign permit) is not required for the following types of work:

• Installing, altering, or removing a sign that is inside a building and only legible to a viewer located on the same lot as the sign
• Installing, altering, or removing any official sign, public notice sign, or warning sign that is required by law or by court order
• Installing, altering, or removing an “art mural” that complies with the requirements of Section 13-20-550(e)
• Installing, altering, or removing an sign advertising goods or services available on site that is installed on the inside of a glass window or door panel and covers no more than 25% of that glass panel and is either:
  • constructed entirely of paper, fabric, vinyl, or similar materials and displayed for no more than 60 days, or
  • painted directly onto the window or made of plastic film or similar material and fully adhered to the window by means of adhesive or static cling for any duration
• Installing, altering, or removing a “Fast-Track Business Sign” authorized by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP)
• Installing, altering, or removing a temporary holiday decoration, provided that it does not contain a commercial message
• Installing, altering, or removing a sign consisting of letters, numbers, or other characters that are all less than 2 inches tall

Provided that any associated electrical work or work to install, alter, or remove a support structure may require a building permit in accordance with general building permit requirements.

Historic Buildings

These exceptions may not apply to work on a property that is a proposed or designated Chicago Landmark or part of a proposed or designated Chicago Landmark district. For more information, contact the Historic Preservation Division in the Department of Planning and Development.

Structure in the Public Way

Installation or maintenance of a temporary or permanent structure of any size below, on, or above a public street, alley, sidewalk, or parkway (the “public way”) generally requires a separate public way use permit from the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP). A temporary structure in the public way that is used for a special event requires a special event permit from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).

Use of the Public Way

Use of a public street, alley, sidewalk, or parkway (the “public way”) for construction or demolition activities, the installation of scaffolding, or to store construction or demolition materials or equipment requires a separate permit from the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT).

Code Compliance Required

Any work performed without a building permit, as allowed by Section 14A-4-402 of the Municipal Code, must still comply with all applicable requirements of the Chicago Construction Codes. Section 14A-4-402 does not waive any applicable requirements of the Chicago Construction Codes or of the Municipal Code other than the requirement to obtain a building permit.

If you have a question about whether proposed work is code compliant or requires a building permit, please visit the Department of Buildings assistance counter on the 9th floor at City Hall.