Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 13-20 § 13-20-601
Unlawful transfer or use of registration or license (Chicago Building Inspection Code (Chapter 13-20))
Operative Text
(a) No registered electrical contractor or general contractor shall allow their name or registration or license number to be used on any permit application for a sign or sign structure, unless such electrical contractor or general contractor is performing or directing the work which the permit application states that such person will perform or direct. (b) No registered electrical contractor named in a permit application for a sign or sign structure shall subcontract or assign any portion of the described electrical work to any other person. (c) Any registered electrical contractor or general contractor who violates this section may have their permit privileges suspended in accordance with Section 14A-3-304 . In addition, such contractor's registration or license may be suspended or revoked in accordance with Section 14A-3-305 . (d) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, a violation of this section may result in revocation of the sign permit in accordance with Section 13-20-645 . (Added Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. I, § 12; Amend Coun. J. 2-19-20, p. 14473, Art. VI, § 18)
Chicago Municipal Code § 13-20-601 prohibits registered electrical contractors and general contractors from allowing their name, registration, or license number to appear on a sign or sign structure permit application unless they are actually performing or directing the work described. It also bars a named electrical contractor from subcontracting or assigning any part of the electrical work to another party. Contractors who violate these rules face potential suspension or revocation of their permit privileges, registration, or license, and the underlying sign permit itself may be revoked.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who hire contractors for sign or sign structure work should be aware that § 13-20-601 places strict obligations on the contractors they engage. A compliant operator generally verifies that the contractor whose name and license number appear on a permit application is the same party actually performing or overseeing the work, and that no electrical subcontracting is occurring without proper authorization. Engaging contractors who improperly lend their credentials or subcontract electrical work can expose a project to permit revocation under § 13-20-645.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
While § 13-20-601 primarily governs contractor conduct rather than tenant-landlord relationships, tenants in buildings where sign or sign structure work is being performed may have an interest in knowing whether permits are properly issued. If there is reason to believe a contractor's credentials were improperly used on a permit application, that concern can be reported to the Chicago Department of Housing or the relevant city permitting authority. Tenant-rights organizations can help identify the appropriate city body to contact and explain how permit violations under § 13-20-601 might relate to broader building compliance issues.
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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