Chicago pet groomers must hold a Limited Business License from Business Affairs and Consumer Protection under MCC 4-6 and follow the Illinois Animal Welfare Act 225 ILCS 605. Boarding or kenneling pets overnight requires an additional kennel license under MCC 4-384.
Storefront and mobile groomers register with the City of Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection department under MCC 4-6 as a personal-services Limited Business License, with two-year fees around $250. Groomers operating a kennel or boarding component must add a pet shop or kennel license under MCC 4-384, which restricts boarding to manufacturing zones M1 and M2 absent special use approval. The Illinois Animal Welfare Act 225 ILCS 605 sets statewide cleanliness, ventilation, water, and humane handling standards enforced by Illinois Department of Agriculture inspectors. Mobile groomers operating curbside also need a Mobile Food/Service vehicle compliance check, must avoid blocking traffic, and discharge wastewater only into approved sanitary connections under MCC 11-12.
Operating without a BACP license violates MCC 4-4 with fines from $250 to $500 per day. Sanitation lapses under 225 ILCS 605 trigger Illinois Department of Agriculture cease-and-desist orders, license suspension, and cruelty referrals when neglect appears.
Chicago, IL
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