Business Licensing & Operations in Cicero, IL (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Cicero, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Cicero requires a town license before operating any adult use, from adult bookstores to adult cabarets, and Section 26-268(6) confines licensed adult uses to M-1, M-2 or M-3 zoned districts, at least 500 feet from any school, day care, park or place of worship and 1,000 feet from any residential use or district.
Cicero Adult Use Business License & Spacing
Heavy RestrictionsCicero Town Code §§ 26-267(a), 26-268(6)
(a)No person shall engage in the business of operating an adult use in the town without first having obtained a license therefor.... (6)No license shall be issued for any adult use unless the licensed premises are located in a district zoned M-1, M-2 or M-3 as defined in the town zoning ordinance and are located more than 500 feet from any private or public school, day care center, public park,...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Cicero does not license tattoo businesses; it bans them entirely. Town authorities have declared tattooing and the operation of a tattoo parlor a public nuisance, and Article XIII makes it unlawful to engage in tattooing or run a tattoo parlor within town limits.
Cicero Bans Tattoo Parlors Outright
Heavy RestrictionsCicero, IL Code of Ordinances § 46-579
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of tattooing or to apply tattoos or operate a tattoo parlor or business within the corporate limits.
Tobacco Retail License
Cicero makes it unlawful to sell, offer for sale, give away or keep tobacco products for retail without first obtaining a tobacco dealer's license from the town collector, in addition to any other required business license.
Cicero Tobacco Dealer's License Requirement
Some RestrictionsCicero, IL Code of Ordinances § 46-539(a)
Required. It shall be unlawful to sell or offer for sale at retail, give away, deliver or keep with the intention of selling at retail, giving away or delivering tobacco products within the town without having first obtained a tobacco dealer's license therefor pursuant to this section. Such license shall be in addition to any other license required by this Code.
Secondhand Dealers
Every secondhand dealer in Cicero needs a separate license per location under Section 70-1, plus a $250 application fee, a criminal background check on owners and employees, and weekly police reports on every item bought, including photos and seller ID for anything over $75.
Cicero's Secondhand Business License Law
Significant RestrictionsCicero, IL Code of Ordinances §§ 70-1, 70-2, 70-8
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or conduct business in a secondhand business in the Town, whether personally, by agents or employees, single or along with some other business or enterprise, without first being issued a license by the Business License Officer in accordance with this Article. ... Each applicant shall pay a non-refundable fee of $250.00 with each application submitt...
Pawnbrokers
Cicero flatly prohibits pawnbroking as a business within town limits. Section 26-140 defines a pawnbroker as anyone who takes property in pledge as security for money advanced, then states outright that no person may operate as one in the town, a rule unchanged since it was adopted in 1995.
Cicero Bans Pawnbroker Businesses
Heavy RestrictionsCicero Code of Ordinances § 26-140
(a)Definition. As used in this section, the term "pawnbroker" means any person engaged in the business of receiving property in pledge or as security for money or other thing advanced to the pawner or pledger.(b)Prohibited. No person shall operate as a pawnbroker within the town.
Towing Companies
Cicero requires anyone operating a tow truck or a motor vehicle wrecking and storage business to hold a town license and post a $20,000.00 bond. Wrecker yards and storage lots also need a superintendent-of-police investigation, and none may operate within 400 feet of a church, school or hospital.
Cicero Tow Truck and Wrecker Licensing
Significant RestrictionsCicero Code of Ordinances §§ 106-396, 106-397(b), 106-398
No person shall act as or engage in the business of motor vehicle wrecking and no person shall store motor vehicles, as described in section 106-361, within the corporate limits without first having obtained a license and having given a bond as provided in this division. ... provided no such motor vehicle wrecker or storage yard shall be allowed within 400 feet of any church, school or hospital...
Looking for Cook County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cicero city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Cook County →