Orland Park's Home Business: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles home business a little differently. In Orland Park, Illinois, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Customer Traffic Restrictions

Orland Park's home occupation rules generally prohibit customer, client, or patient visits to home-based businesses. The Village requires that home occupations not generate traffic beyond normal residential levels. Retail sales from the premises are prohibited.

Key details: Customer Visits: Generally prohibited. Retail Sales: Not from premises. Deliveries: Residential volume only. Traffic Level: Cannot exceed normal. Enforcement: (708) 403-6150.

Generating excess traffic from a home business may result in a notice of violation from Orland Park Code Enforcement at (708) 403-6150. Fines typically begin at $75 per day. Continued violations may result in an order to cease the business activity.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Orland Park actively enforces its customer traffic restrictions requirements.

Home Occupation Permits

Orland Park requires home occupations to comply with Land Development Code conditions and may require a home occupation acknowledgment or business registration depending on business type. The Development Services Department administers compliance. Most passive professional services do not require a Village license, but certain regulated trades do.

Key details: Administered By: Development Services. Village Hall: 14700 S Ravinia Ave. Business License: Required for regulated trades. Zoning Compliance: Required for all home occupations. Phone: (708) 403-6150.

Operating without a required license or home occupation acknowledgment may result in fines beginning at $75 per day from Orland Park Code Enforcement at (708) 403-6150. Operating in violation of zoning conditions may result in an order to cease. Repeated noncompliance may be referred to administrative adjudication.

Home Daycare

Home daycare in Orland Park is primarily regulated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) under 89 Ill. Adm. Code Parts 406 and 408. Family child care homes may care for up to 8 children (no more than 3 under age 2); group homes up to 12 with an assistant. Orland Park's Land Development Code permits licensed home daycare as a home occupation with conditions.

Key details: State License: DCFS required. Family Home: Up to 8 children. Group Home: Up to 12 children. Background Check: All adults in household. Village Contact: (708) 403-6150.

Operating a home daycare without DCFS licensing is a violation of state law and subject to state penalties. Operating in violation of Orland Park's zoning conditions may result in code enforcement action at (708) 403-6150 with fines beginning at $75 per day. DCFS license violations can result in license suspension or revocation.

Zoning Restrictions

Orland Park's Land Development Code permits home occupations as accessory uses in residential zoning districts subject to conditions. The business must be clearly incidental to residential use, conducted by household members, and must not alter the residential character of the property. Customer traffic, outdoor storage, and exterior signage are restricted.

Key details: Employees: Household residents only. Floor Area: Up to ~25% of dwelling. Customer Visits: Generally restricted. Signage: Not permitted. Enforcement: (708) 403-6150.

Operating a home business in violation of zoning conditions may result in a notice of violation from Orland Park Code Enforcement at (708) 403-6150. Fines typically range from $75 to $750 per day of continued violation. Persistent violations may result in an order to cease the business activity and referral to administrative adjudication.

Cottage Food Operations

Illinois's Cottage Food and Home Kitchen Operations Act (Public Act 102-0633) allows Orland Park residents to sell certain homemade shelf-stable foods directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen. Annual gross sales are capped at $75,000 for cottage food operations. Required labeling applies, and Orland Park home occupation rules still restrict signage and customer traffic.

Key details: Revenue Cap: $75,000/year. Home Kitchen Cap: $50,000/year. Registration: Cook County Health required. Labeling: Required on all products. Sales Method: Direct to consumer.

Selling non-approved foods, exceeding revenue caps, or failing to provide required labeling may result in Cook County Department of Public Health enforcement. Violations of Orland Park's home occupation customer traffic or signage rules trigger separate Village enforcement at (708) 403-6150.

The rules around cottage food operations in Orland Park lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Signage Rules

Orland Park prohibits signage advertising home-based businesses in residential zones. The Village's Land Development Code requires that home occupations have no exterior evidence of the business, which includes signs of any type. Commercial signs are restricted to commercially-zoned properties along corridors such as LaGrange Road and 143rd Street.

Key details: Signs Allowed: None of any type. Window Signs: Prohibited. Yard Signs: Prohibited. Vehicle Signs: Not at residence. HOA Rules: May add restrictions.

Displaying signage for a home business violates Orland Park's Land Development Code. Code Enforcement at (708) 403-6150 may issue a notice requiring removal. Fines typically begin at $75 per day of continued violation. Repeated violations may jeopardize the ability to continue the home occupation.

This is one of the stricter rules in Orland Park's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Orland Park is tougher than many cities when it comes to home business. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Orland Park, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Orland Park's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.