Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 13-20 § 13-20-670
Dimensions (Chicago Building Inspection Code (Chapter 13-20))
Operative Text
Projecting electrical signs shall have a thickness of drum or box not exceeding 24 inches (610 mm) except by special permission. (a) Vertical type "V" shaped signs, vertical type "V" shaped projecting signs shall not project more than six feet (1.83 m) from the building and shall not exceed six feet (1.83 m) in width along the face of the building. Said signs shall be enclosed at the top and the bottom and an open space of not more than three inches (76.2 mm) shall be allowed between the building and the sign. (b) Supported from roof structure. Signs supported by a structure from a roof shall have a minimum distance of three feet (914 mm) from the bottom of the structure or the display, whichever is lower, to the roof. The minimum distance from the face of the display to the exterior wall of the building shall be three feet (914 mm), except as provided for in Section 13-20-650 . (c) Supported from the ground. Signs supported by a structure from the ground shall have a minimum distance of nine feet (2.74 m) from the bottom of the structure or display, whichever is lower, to the ground. No exposed live parts (lamps, sockets, neon tubes or sockets, etc.) shall be within nine feet (2.74 m) of the ground. Exception: Ground signs on private property supplied by branch conductors which are protected by an approved ground-fault circuit-interrupter device may have a distance of less than nine feet (2.74 m) from the bottom of the structure or display if all the electrical components are totally enclosed within the sign assembly. All such signs shall be readily accessible. (Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3)
Section 13-20-670 of the Chicago Municipal Code establishes specific dimensional requirements for projecting electrical signs in Chicago. Drum or box-style projecting signs may not exceed 24 inches in thickness without special permission, while V-shaped signs face limits on projection distance and width. Signs mounted from rooftops or from the ground must maintain defined minimum clearance distances, and exposed live electrical components on ground-mounted signs must generally remain at least nine feet above grade unless a ground-fault circuit-interrupter device is used and all electrical parts are fully enclosed within the sign assembly.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers installing or maintaining projecting electrical signs in Chicago should ensure compliance with the dimensional standards set out in § 13-20-670. A compliant operator verifies that box or drum signs stay within the 24-inch thickness limit, that V-shaped signs do not project more than six feet or exceed six feet in width, and that roof- and ground-supported signs meet the required clearance minimums. Operators relying on the ground-fault circuit-interrupter exception confirm that all electrical components are fully enclosed within the sign assembly and that the sign remains readily accessible for inspection.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
While § 13-20-670 primarily governs sign installations by building owners rather than tenants directly, tenants who notice projecting electrical signs on their building that appear to violate these dimensional or clearance standards have general options available to them. Concerns about non-compliant signage—particularly regarding exposed electrical components near ground level—can generally be reported to the Chicago Department of Buildings, which oversees code enforcement. Tenants seeking to understand how sign-related code violations might affect their rights or living conditions may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Chicago's 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 October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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