Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-8-031 by replacing it in its entirety to establish regulations for dog-friendly retail food establishments

Legislation tracker › License and Consumer Protection › 43rd Ward: Timothy R. Knudsen

• Record number: O2025-0019308
• Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
• Status: In Committee (Held in Committee)
• Sponsor: Timothy R. Knudsen (43rd Ward)
• Committee: Committee on License and Consumer Protection
• Submitted Date: Sep 8, 2025
• Introduction Date: Sep 25, 2025
• Official record: Office of the City Clerk

Impact report

Written by AI from the official document. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

This ordinance would let Chicago retail food establishments choose to allow customers' dogs on their premises, as long as they follow set health and safety rules.

Who it affects

• Retail food establishment owners and licensees: They may choose to allow dogs but must post signs, use washable surfaces, keep dogs out of food prep areas, report bites to 311, and face fines for violations.
• Dog owners: They could bring one leashed, rabies-vaccinated dog into participating food establishments, but the dog cannot be fed there and may be removed if not under control.
• Food establishment employees: They may not have contact with dogs and must wash their hands right away if they touch a dog or a surface a dog touched.
• Other customers of food establishments: They may share space with dogs, and the business can remove dogs or refuse service to owners whose dogs threaten anyone's health, safety, or enjoyment.
• People with disabilities who use service animals: The limits in this section do not apply to service animals assisting a person with a disability under state or federal law.

What changes

• Restaurants and other retail food establishments could allow customers to bring dogs inside or on their premises.
• Participating businesses must post a sign at each street entrance saying whether dogs are allowed.
• Only one leashed dog per customer with proof of a current rabies vaccination would be allowed, and dogs may get water but not food.
• Dogs must stay out of food preparation areas and away from dishes, utensils, and other food serving items.
• If a dog bites or attacks someone, the business must immediately notify 311.

Money

• Anyone who violates the section or its rules would be fined $200 to $1,000 per offense, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.

When: 90 days after passage

Timeline

• Sep 25, 2025: Referred, City Council. The matter was Referred to Committee.
• Oct 9, 2025: Held in Committee, Committee on License and Consumer Protection. The matter was Held in Committee.

Documents

• W43 - Dog firendly RFEs (9.8.25 Clean).pdf (Legislation)

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