Business Licensing & Operations in DuPage County, IL (2026)
7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in DuPage County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
DuPage County zoning keeps adult business uses at least 1,000 feet from homes, schools, churches and other adult businesses, and Chapter 20 requires a separate $200 county adult entertainment license to operate.
DuPage County Adult Business Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsDuPage County Zoning Ordinance § 37-416.2
1.An adult business use shall be located at least one thousand feet (1,000′) from the property line of any other adult business use. 2.An adult business use shall be located at least one thousand feet (1,000′) from the property line of a residential zoned property. 3.An adult business use shall be located at least one thousand feet (1,000′) from the property line of a place of religious worship...
Massage Establishments
Any massage establishment operating in unincorporated DuPage County needs a license from the County Clerk before opening. The application costs $125 plus fingerprinting, requires health, zoning and sheriff inspections, and violators face fines from $200 to $1,000 per offense under Code § 20-111.
DuPage County Massage Establishment License
Significant RestrictionsDuPage County Code §§ 20-111, 20-112, 20-116, 20-122
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct, carry on or permit to be conducted or carried on at any premises in this County, the operating of a massage establishment without having first obtained a massage establishment license pursuant to this article. ... The hours of operation for massage establishments shall be limited to between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Tattoo & Body Modification
Tattoo parlors need a conditional-use permit to operate in unincorporated DuPage County. Section 37-801.2 and Section 37-802.2 both classify them as conditional, not permitted, uses in the B-1 and B-2 business districts, so a public hearing under Section 37-1413 is required, and any shop that opens must also meet a four-space-per-1,000-square-foot parking standard.
DuPage County Tattoo Parlor Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsDuPage County Zoning Ordinance §§ 37-801.2, 37-802.2, 37-1203, 37-1417
37-801.2: - CONDITIONAL USES. The following conditional uses require prior approval after a public hearing in accordance with the requirements of Section 37-1413 of this chapter: ... Sale of firearms and ammunition. Self-storage facility. Tattoo parlors. ... 37-802.2: - CONDITIONAL USES. The following conditional uses require prior approval after a public hearing in accordance with the requirem...
Tobacco Retail License
Selling tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, in unincorporated DuPage County requires a $100 annual seller's license from the County Clerk. Sales within 100 feet of a school are banned, sales to anyone under 21 are illegal, and the Sheriff must inspect every retailer at least three times a year under Code § 20-141.
DuPage County Tobacco Seller's License
Significant RestrictionsDuPage County Code §§ 20-140, 20-141, 20-143, 20-149
It shall be unlawful to sell or offer for sale at retail, to give away, deliver or to keep with the intention of selling at retail, giving away or delivering tobacco products within the County without having first obtained a tobacco seller's license therefor pursuant to this article. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, give away or deliver tobacco products within on...
Pawnbrokers
Pawnshops are a permitted, by-right use in unincorporated DuPage County's B-2 General Business District, so no conditional-use hearing is required to open one. Section 37-802.1 lists pawnshops among the district's general services, and once open, the shop falls under a parking standard requiring four spaces per 1,000 square feet of floor area.
DuPage County Pawnshop Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsDuPage County Zoning Ordinance §§ 37-802.1, 37-1203, 37-1417
37-802.1: - PERMITTED USES. The following uses are permitted: ... General services: ... Parking of vehicles, need not be enclosed, provided that any part of such use conducted outside a completely enclosed building, shall comply with all specifications for maintenance hereinafter required for off-street parking spaces. Pawnshops. Printing and publishing establishments having not more than twent...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Unincorporated DuPage County bans auto repair as a home business outright. Zoning Ordinance Sec. 37-418.1(A)(6) says a home occupation shall not permit the conduct of manufacturing business or repair shop of any kind, so a residential garage cannot be turned into a paid repair operation no matter how small.
DuPage County Home Auto Repair Ban
Heavy RestrictionsDuPage County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 37-418.1(A)(6)
2.Shall not be operated in an accessory building or attached garage....6.Shall not permit the conduct of, manufacturing business or repair shop of any kind.
Towing Companies
DuPage County has adopted the Illinois Commercial Relocation of Trespassing Vehicles Law to govern non-consent tows from private lots.
DuPage County Non-Consent Tow Law (18a-100)
Some RestrictionsDuPage County Code §§ 23-40, 23-41
The County of DuPage shall be subject to the provisions of the Illinois Commercial Relocation of Trespassing Vehicles Law, 625 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/18a-100. ... Pursuant to 625 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/18a-700(c), the Illinois Commerce Commission has certified the effective date for applicability of the Illinois Commercial Relocation of Trespassing Vehicles Law in DuPage County as D...
Business Licensing & Operations by City in DuPage County
1 cities in DuPage County have their own business licensing & operations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All DuPage County ordinances
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