Business Licensing & Operations in Bloomington, IL (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for Bloomington, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
A sexually oriented entertainment business needs a City Clerk license to operate anywhere in Bloomington, and it can only sit in the B-1, B-2 or B-3 zoning districts, at least 1,000 feet from another such business and 500 feet from schools, parks, churches, day cares and homes.
Bloomington Sexually Oriented Business License
Significant RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 37.5-601; § 37.5-609
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct, establish, operate or maintain a Sexually Oriented Entertainment Business within the City unless the person first obtains and continues to maintain in full force and effect a Sexually Oriented Entertainment Business License issued by the City Clerk as required by this Ordinance. ... Sexually Oriented Entertainment Business Establishment...
Massage Establishments
Bloomington bans operating a massage or bodywork establishment without a City license, subject to exemptions for licensed medical professionals and sole-proprietor massage therapists who file an annual affidavit with the City Clerk.
Massage Establishment License in Bloomington
Significant RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 22-1002
It shall be unlawful for any person to advertise, engage in, conduct or carry on, or permit to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, in or upon any premises in the City of Bloomington, the operation of a Massage or Bodywork Establishment as herein defined, without first having obtained a license as herein provided.
Tobacco Retail License
In the City of Bloomington, retailers must hold a City Clerk-issued license before selling tobacco at retail, and the chapter's tobacco product definition expressly reaches electronic cigarettes and alternative nicotine products. Licensees post a $2,000 surety bond, pay an annual fee tied to the City's May-to-April fiscal year, and face fines up to $2,000 per day for violations.
Bloomington Tobacco and Vape Retail License
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code §§ 41-101, 41-102
"Tobacco product" includes any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product, whether or not sold separately. "Tobacco product" does include an electronic cigarette and alternative nicotine product as defined in this section. ... It shall be unlawful to sell or offer for sale at retail in the City tobacco in any form without first having obtained a license as herein provided.
Secondhand Dealers
In the City of Bloomington, City Code Section 32-102 makes it unlawful to operate as an auctioneer, junk dealer, or secondhand dealer without a license from the City Clerk. Licensing applies to anyone selling secondhand goods from a fixed location for more than 15 consecutive days a year, with garage and estate sales specifically exempted.
Bloomington Secondhand Dealers Must Hold a City License
Significant RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 32-102
It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to engage in the business of auctioneer, junk dealer, or secondhand dealer without first obtaining a license from the City Clerk. ... A license may be granted to any person who sells or intends to sell secondhand goods from a fixed location for a period exceeding 15 consecutive days in a calendar year.
Pawnbrokers
In the City of Bloomington, anyone taking pledges of property for pawn loans or issuing pawn tickets operates under the same license required of secondhand dealers, junk dealers, and auctioneers. City Code Chapter 32 defines a customer as anyone who pledges property with a licensee or sells pawn tickets for redemption, and nobody can operate that business without a City Clerk license, a $5,000 surety bond, and compliance with the chapter's 72-hour property-hold and record-keeping rules.
Bloomington Pawnbroker and Secondhand Dealer Licensing
Significant RestrictionsBloomington City Code §§ 32-101, 32-102
Any person who as a part of their regular business deposits or pledges any personal property or thing of value with a licensee, on condition of obtaining or recovering the property back again at a stipulated price; or ... Any person who shall sell pawn tickets to a licensee so that the licensee may redeem and resell that merchandise; or ... It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to engag...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
In the City of Bloomington, section 44-1020.A(11) of the zoning code bans automobile-based businesses, including towing, taxi, and repair services, from operating as a home occupation. Unlike Bloomington's other home-business rules, which set size, sign, and traffic limits, this one is an outright prohibition with no permit path built into the section itself.
Bloomington IL Bans Home Auto Repair
Heavy RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 44-1020.A(11)
(11) Automobile based businesses including but not limited to towing, taxi, and repair services shall not be permitted as a home occupation.
Towing Companies
In the City of Bloomington, § 29-2502 of the City Code lets a commercial vehicle relocator tow an unauthorized vehicle from private property only with authorization from the property owner, lessee, manager or police, and stops a tow entirely if the vehicle's owner arrives with the ignition key and offers to move it, though the owner then owes half the towing fee.
Bloomington Non-Consent Tow Company Rules
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 29-2502(A), (E)
A. No motor vehicle may be towed by a relocator from any public street or way, public alley, or other public property except pursuant to explicit authorization from a peace officer, law enforcement officer, a person (or their authorized representative) having managerial control of the parking area (hereinafter "manager"), the owner of said vehicle, or a duly authorized driver of said vehicle. ....