6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Cook County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Cook County Zoning Ordinance (Ord. 01-O-30) defines home occupations as businesses practiced by a resident that are incidental and secondary to residential use. No fee is required for the home occupation affidavit filed with the Zoning Administrator.
Cook County Zoning Ordinance — Home Occupation Business Zoning
Business Occupancy — A building shall not be constructed or occupied, an existing building shall not be expanded or otherwise altered or occupied, a new land use shall not be established and an existing land use shall not be changed until a certificate of occupancy is issued by the Department of Building and Zoning. Every certificate of occupancy shall state that the land use and occupancy of b...
Home business signage in unincorporated Cook County is restricted under the Zoning Ordinance. Home occupations must remain incidental to residential use, which limits or prohibits commercial signage. Sign permits required through Building and Zoning.
Cook County Department of Building and Zoning - Advertising Signs and Identification Devices Permit Requirements (Rev. 07/06/2015)
ADVERTISING SIGNS AND IDENTIFICATION DEVICES PERMIT REQUIREMENTS. All sign companies must be registered and bonded with Cook County. Complete the application in its entirety and include the property index number. Submit a plat of survey less than five years old; sealed and certified by an Illinois Registered Land Surveyor. Submit one (1) digitized, detailed, signed and sealed architectural draw...
Cook County Zoning Ordinance requires home occupations to be incidental to residential use, which limits customer traffic. Businesses generating excessive vehicle traffic or parking demands beyond residential norms may be in violation.
Cook County Building & Zoning Business Occupancy — Home Occupation
Business Occupancy — A building shall not be constructed or occupied, an existing building shall not be expanded or otherwise altered or occupied, a new land use shall not be established and an existing land use shall not be changed until a certificate of occupancy is issued by the Department of Building and Zoning. Every certificate of occupancy shall state that the land use and occupancy of b...
Cottage food operations in Cook County are governed by Illinois state law (410 ILCS 625/4), the Home-to-Market Act effective January 1, 2022. Operators must register with the Cook County Department of Public Health and obtain a Certified Food Protection Manager certificate. Products must be sold directly to consumers.
Home daycare operations in Cook County are regulated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) under 89 Ill. Admin. Code 406. Licensed family child care homes may serve up to 12 children. DCFS licensing is required when caring for more than 3 unrelated children.
Cook County requires a simple affidavit (no fee) to establish a home occupation in unincorporated areas. The affidavit is sent to the Zoning Administrator by email. No formal permit application or inspection is required.
Cook County Zoning Ordinance — Home Occupation (Home Based Business Occupancy)
Home Based Business Occupancy — Home occupation is defined by the Zoning Ordinance as: An occupation or profession, practiced by a member of the family residing on the premises, and which occupation is clearly incidental and secondary to the residential use of the dwelling. Homeowner is required to submit an affidavit in order to establish a home based business. Please find the affidavit on the...
10 cities in Cook County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
5 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
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