How to file the chicago retail food establishment license (Chicago)
Chicago's business license for any fixed place that serves, stores or sells perishable food, at a properly zoned, non-residential address. Apply online or at the Small Business Center, City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 800, with the lease, Illinois Business Tax number, FEIN, ownership details and photo ID; the place must pass a public health inspection before the license is issued.
- Agency
- City of Chicago, Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, with the Department of Public Health
- Where it applies
- Chicago
- How it's filed
- Filed online
- Fee
- Varies$660 for the smallest size tier, rising with square footage; each license runs two years.
- How long it takes
- Chicago doesn't publish a standard processing time; the license is issued after zoning approval, payment and any required inspections, then mailed to your business.
- Renewal
- Every 2 years.
Official links
Checked against the agency's own page.
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Get the plan for your exact address
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders