Chicago regulates political signs under content-neutral temporary sign rules in MCC §13-20-560. Residential properties may display non-illuminated temporary signs up to 6 square feet per sign without permits. The city updated rules after Reed v Gilbert to apply uniformly to all temporary signs. Signs in the public right-of-way are removed by Streets and Sanitation without notice.
Municipal Code of Chicago §13-20-560 governs temporary signs on private property, including political signs. Residential properties may display non-illuminated temporary signs up to 6 square feet per sign without a permit. Following Reed v Town of Gilbert (2015), Chicago revised its sign code to remove content-specific election-window rules; all temporary signs are now regulated under uniform size, placement, and physical-characteristic standards.
Prohibited placement includes any public right-of-way, parkways, medians, utility poles, traffic signals, parkway trees, and city-owned property. Signs may not be illuminated, animated, or include audio. The Department of Streets and Sanitation removes signs in the right-of-way without notice. The Department of Buildings enforces sign rules on private property; campaign committees and property owners share compliance responsibility, and removal of signs is expected within a reasonable time after the event.
Violations carry fines of $50 to $200 per sign per day under MCC §13-20-590, plus removal costs. Repeat violations may escalate to $500 per sign. Signs in the public right-of-way are removed by Streets and Sanitation without notice.
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