Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 13-20 § 13-20-730
Notice of non-compliance (Chicago Building Inspection Code (Chapter 13-20))
Operative Text
Whenever the Building Commissioner determines that any sign or sign structure has been erected or is being maintained in violation of this chapter, or is in an unsafe condition, or has become unstable or insecure, or is a menace to the safety or health of the public, the Commissioner may issue or cause to be issued a notice, in writing, to the responsible person, as defined herein, informing such person of the violation of this chapter or of the dangerous condition of such sign or sign structure and directing such responsible person to make whatever alterations or repairs that the Commissioner reasonably deems necessary to bring the sign or sign structure into compliance with this chapter, and with Article I of Chapter 13-96 and Title 14E of this Code, within a reasonable time, which may be stated in said notice. If the necessary alterations and repairs are not made within the time period specified, the permit for the sign or sign structure may be revoked by the Building Commissioner pursuant to Section 13-20-645 . Nothing in this section shall prohibit the Building Commissioner from seeking to directly revoke a permit pursuant to Section 13-20-645 . As used in this section, the term "responsible person" means: (1) the permittee of a permit for a sign or sign structure issued on or before May 19, 2012; or (2) the owner or lessee of the real property on which a sign or sign structure is located of a permit issued after May 19, 2012; or (3) the person in charge, possession, or control thereof, if the whereabouts of such person is known. (Added Coun. J. 11-3-99, p. 13842, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 5-2-01, p. 57403, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 18; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. II, § 17; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. I, § 20)
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 13-20 § 13-20-730, the Building Commissioner has authority to issue written notices when a sign or sign structure is found to violate city code, poses a safety or health hazard, or has become unstable. The notice identifies the problem and sets a reasonable deadline for the responsible party to make required repairs or alterations. If corrections are not completed within that timeframe, the Commissioner may revoke the sign's permit under Section 13-20-645, and nothing in this provision prevents the Commissioner from pursuing permit revocation directly.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners, lessees, and permittees who have signs or sign structures on Chicago properties should be aware that Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 13-20 § 13-20-730 defines who qualifies as a 'responsible person' depending on when the permit was issued—permittees for permits issued on or before May 19, 2012, and owners or lessees for permits issued after that date. Compliant operators generally keep signs in safe, structurally sound condition and respond promptly to any written notice from the Building Commissioner, completing all directed repairs within the stated deadline. Failure to act within the specified timeframe can result in 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 § 13-20-730 primarily governs sign owners and permittees rather than residential tenants, members of the public who observe a sign or sign structure that appears unsafe, unstable, or in violation of city code may report the condition to the Chicago Department of Housing or the city's Building Department for investigation. The provision empowers the Building Commissioner to act on such conditions by issuing written notices and, if necessary, revoking permits. Tenant-rights organizations or legal aid resources can help individuals understand how sign-related safety concerns on a rental property might intersect with broader habitability or 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 September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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