Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 13-20 § 13-20-620
Display of permit numbers for off-premise signs (Chicago Building Inspection Code (Chapter 13-20))
Operative Text
(a) (1) The permit number shall be permanently displayed on or adjacent to all off-premise signs for which a permit has been issued by the Building Commissioner pursuant to Title 13 or Title 14A of this Code. If a sign has or is required to have a public way use permit, the current public way use permit number shall also be permanently displayed on such sign in accordance with this section. Any letters and numerals of such display shall be readily visible and conspicuous from the public way. The size, location of the permit number relative to the off-premise sign, and other characteristics of such display may be set forth in rules promulgated by the Building Commissioner. This section shall apply to all off-premise signs either now in existence or hereafter constructed. Any person who violates this subsection (a)(1) shall be subject to the fines set forth in Section 14A-3-302.1 and the permit may be revoked under Section 13-20-645 . (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to display a false or incomplete permit number on any off-premise sign. Any person who violates this subsection (a)(2) shall be subject to fines set forth in Section 14A-3-302.1 and the permit may be revoked under Section 13-20-645 . (b) For purposes of this section, the term "off- premise sign" shall have the definition set forth in Title 17 of the Chicago Zoning Ordinance. (Added Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. III, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. I, § 13; Amend Coun. J. 2-19-20, p. 14473, Art. VI, § 20) Editor's note - Coun. J. 6-4-03, p. 2220, § 1, repealed a former § 13-20-620, which pertained to subsequent reinspection fees. Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. III, § 2, and Art. IX, § 4, establish the effective date of Section 13-20-620 as June 1, 2009.
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 13-20 § 13-20-620, all off-premise signs in Chicago that have been issued a permit must permanently display that permit number—and any required public way use permit number—in a way that is readily visible and conspicuous from the public way. Displaying a false or incomplete permit number is expressly prohibited. Violations can result in fines as referenced in Section 14A-3-302.1, and the underlying permit may be revoked under Section 13-20-645.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers responsible for off-premise signs in Chicago should ensure that every such sign covered by Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 13-20 § 13-20-620 bears its current, accurate permit number—and public way use permit number if applicable—displayed permanently and conspicuously from the public way. Compliant operators typically verify that permit numbers are legible, up to date, and positioned in accordance with any rules the Building Commissioner has issued. Displaying an incomplete or false permit number is a separate violation that can trigger fines under Section 14A-3-302.1 and potential permit revocation under Section 13-20-645.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
While Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 13-20 § 13-20-620 primarily governs sign operators rather than residential tenants, renters who notice an off-premise sign near their building that lacks a visible or accurate permit number may have grounds to report the condition to the Chicago Department of Housing or the relevant city enforcement office. The provision applies to all off-premise signs currently in existence as well as newly constructed ones, and violations are subject to fines and possible permit revocation. Tenants with questions about how this rule intersects with their housing situation may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Chicago municipal code.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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