Business Licensing & Operations in Arlington Heights, IL (2026)
5 verified business licensing & operations rules for Arlington Heights, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Arlington Heights, Illinois requires a Village adult business license before any adult bookstore, adult theater, or adult live entertainment establishment can open, and keeps every one from sitting within 200 feet of a residential zoning district, school, church, park, or another adult business. Hours run noon to midnight only, with Sundays and holidays closed entirely under Chapter 14, Article XXIII.
Arlington Heights Adult Business License Rules
Significant RestrictionsArlington Heights Municipal Code § 14-2305
No adult business shall be located within 200 feet of: 1.A residential zoning district;2.A church, synagogue, mosque, temple or building which is used primarily for religious worship and related religious activities;3.A public or private educational facility including, but not limited to, child day care facilities, nursery schools, preschools, kindergartens, elementary schools... 5.An entertain...
Tobacco Retail License
Selling cigarettes, cigars, tobacco or vapes in Arlington Heights requires a retail tobacco dealer license under Village Code Section 12-202. Electronic smoking devices count as tobacco products under Section 12-201, so vape shops face the same licensing, age-21, and display rules as cigarette retailers, including a ban on self-service racks and sales within 100 feet of a school.
Arlington Heights Tobacco & Vape Retail License
Some RestrictionsArlington Heights Municipal Code Section 12-202
No person shall engage in the business of a retail tobacco dealer in the Village, without first having obtained a license therefor; provided, however, that no such license will be required of a retail tobacco dealer who makes no over-the-counter sales of cigarettes, cigars or tobacco in any form, but merely permits the sale of cigarettes from cigarette-vending machines located on his or her pre...
Secondhand Dealers
Buying and reselling used goods for a living in Arlington Heights requires a second-hand dealer's license under Municipal Code Section 12-1101, separate from pawnbroker or junk-dealer licenses. Dealers must log every transaction for police review, cannot deal in firearms, and cannot buy from anyone under 21 without parental consent.
Arlington Heights Secondhand Dealer License
Some RestrictionsArlington Heights Municipal Code Section 12-1101
No person shall engage in the business of a second-hand dealer in the Village without having first obtained a license therefor; provided, however, that the term "second-hand dealer" as used in this Section shall not include pawnbrokers or junk dealers as defined and licensed by other provisions of this Code, or sales or exchanges of used articles and materials conducted by charitable or religio...
Pawnbrokers
Running a pawnshop in Arlington Heights requires both a Village pawnbroker license and a valid Illinois state pawnbroker license under Municipal Code Section 12-802. The license costs $215.00 a year, interest is capped at 3 percent per month, and pawnbrokers may not take firearms in pledge or deal with anyone under 21.
Arlington Heights Pawnbroker License
Some RestrictionsArlington Heights Municipal Code Section 12-802
No person shall engage in the business of pawnbroker within the Village without first having obtained a license therefor. No person shall conduct or operate a pawnbroker business without first having obtained a license from the State of Illinois, pursuant to the provisions of the applicable laws.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Arlington Heights, Illinois flatly bans motor vehicle repair as a home occupation. Section 6.16-3(c) of the Zoning Code lists it among the uses that can never qualify as an accessory home business, no matter how small the operation or how it is otherwise run out of a residence.
Arlington Heights Home Auto Repair Ban
Heavy RestrictionsArlington Heights Municipal Code, Chapter 28 (Zoning), Section 6.16-3(c)
6.16-3Prohibited Home Occupations.a.Catering services;b.Barber shop and beauty salon;c.Motor vehicle repair;d.Restaurants, tea rooms;e.Commercial stables, kennels.
Looking for Cook County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Arlington Heights city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Cook County →