Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 13-20 § 13-20-720
General restrictions (Chicago Building Inspection Code (Chapter 13-20))
Operative Text
No person, firm, or corporation shall place on or suspend from any building, sign, structure, canopy, lot, or place any goods, wares, merchandise, or any other material not in conformance with Section 14E-6-600 and this article. (Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. II, § 16)
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 13-20 § 13-20-720 establishes a general prohibition on placing or suspending goods, wares, merchandise, or other materials on or from buildings, signs, structures, canopies, lots, or other places unless those items conform to Section 14E-6-600 and the broader article. The rule applies to any person, firm, or corporation, making it a broadly applicable restriction on how exterior spaces and structures may be used for display or storage. Its effect is to channel all such placements through the standards set out in the referenced code sections.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Chicago should ensure that anything placed on or suspended from their buildings, canopies, signs, or lots meets the standards referenced in Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 13-20 § 13-20-720, including the requirements of Section 14E-6-600. Compliant operators typically review proposed signage, merchandise displays, and exterior attachments against both the general article requirements and the cross-referenced section before installation. Keeping documentation of compliance reviews can support a showing that placements were made in conformance with the applicable code.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 13-20 § 13-20-720 restricts what can be placed on or suspended from buildings and related structures, which can be relevant to tenants who share exterior spaces or whose landlords use building exteriors in ways that may affect their tenancy. Tenants who believe a violation of this provision is occurring may consider raising the issue with the Chicago Department of Housing or another appropriate municipal authority. Tenant-rights organizations in Chicago can help explain how this type of code restriction intersects with lease terms and tenant protections.
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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