Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 13-20 § 13-20-640
Permit revocation – Signs and sign elements (Chicago Building Inspection Code (Chapter 13-20))
Operative Text
The Building Commissioner may, pursuant to procedures established in Section 13-20-645 , revoke the permit for any sign or sign element constructed, altered, erected or maintained in violation of this chapter or Article I of Chapter 13-96 of this Code. The permit for any sign element that is voluntarily reported as abandoned, pursuant to Section 13-96-041 (b), may be revoked by the Commissioner without any further notice or action. (Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 18; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-24-12, p. 25060, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. I, § 16)
Chicago Municipal Code § 13-20-640 establishes the Building Commissioner's authority to revoke permits for signs or sign elements that have been constructed, altered, erected, or maintained in violation of the city's sign regulations or related code provisions. Revocation follows the procedures outlined in Section 13-20-645, except when a sign element has been voluntarily reported as abandoned under Section 13-96-041(b), in which case the permit may be revoked immediately without additional notice or process. This provision applies to any stage of a sign's life cycle, from initial construction through ongoing maintenance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating signs in Chicago should be aware that § 13-20-640 gives the Building Commissioner broad authority to revoke sign permits whenever a sign or sign element is found to be out of compliance with Chapter 13-20 or Article I of Chapter 13-96. Compliant operators generally keep their signs built, altered, and maintained strictly in accordance with the terms of their permits and applicable code requirements. Operators who voluntarily report a sign element as abandoned under Section 13-96-041(b) should understand that the Commissioner may revoke the associated permit immediately, without any further procedural steps.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
While § 13-20-640 primarily governs sign permits and is directed at property owners, tenants in buildings with non-compliant or abandoned signage may have an interest in understanding that the Building Commissioner holds authority to revoke those permits. If a sign on a rental property appears to be in violation of Chicago's sign code under Chapter 13-20, tenants can report concerns to the Chicago Department of Housing or the city's building department, which oversees enforcement. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how sign-related code violations might intersect with broader housing code compliance obligations.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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