Business Licensing & Operations in Lake County, IL (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Lake County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Unincorporated Lake County requires an adult establishment license and enforces 1,000-foot spacing from other adult businesses and protected uses, plus 250 feet from residential property.
Lake County adult business license & spacing
Significant RestrictionsLake County Code § 113.15(A); § 151.112(B)(1)
Adult establishment license required. An adult establishment license shall be required to establish, operate, or maintain an adult entertainment establishment within the unincorporated area of Lake County. ... No adult entertainment establishment shall be established, maintained, or operated on any lot that has a property line within 1,000 feet of the property line of any other lot on which any...
Massage Establishments
Operating a massage establishment or working as a masseuse or masseur in unincorporated Lake County requires an annual license from the County Board, with a $100 fee and fines of $25 to $500 per day for violations.
Lake County massage establishment license
Some RestrictionsLake County Code § 114.03
No person shall operate a massage establishment or hold himself or herself out as a masseuse or masseur operating within unincorporated areas of Lake County, Illinois a massage establishment without first having obtained a license therefor from the county. A masseuse or masseur must comply with the requirements of this chapter.
Tattoo & Body Modification
Operating a tattoo or body piercing establishment in Lake County without a valid Illinois Department of Public Health permit is a public nuisance under county code, enforceable countywide by fines up to $1,000 per day.
Lake County tattoo and piercing permit rule
Some RestrictionsLake County Code § 94.09(B)
(B) Tattoo and body piercing establishments. It is a public nuisance to operate a tattoo and/or body piercing establishment without a valid permit issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health contrary to the provisions of the Illinois Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishment Registration Act or the Illinois Department of Public Health Body Art Code.
Tobacco Retail License
Unincorporated Lake County retailers must hold a Health Department tobacco license, $100 per year, before selling tobacco, e-cigarettes, or nicotine products.
Lake County tobacco retail license
Some RestrictionsLake County Code § 177.05
No person shall engage in the retail sale or distribution of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or alternative nicotine products, including the operation of vending machines that dispense tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or alternative nicotine products, in unincorporated Lake County unless the person is authorized to do so by a current and valid license issued pursuant to this ch...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Unincorporated Lake County flatly bans vehicle repair as a home occupation. Section 151.113(E)(5)(a) prohibits any repair, assembly, or storage of vehicles or internal-combustion equipment, plus large-appliance repair, at a home business, no permit or waiver brings it back into compliance.
Home Auto Repair Banned, Unincorporated Lake County
Heavy RestrictionsLake County Code § 151.113(E)(5)(a)
(E) Customary home occupations. (1) General. Some types of work can be conducted at home with little or no effect on the surrounding neighborhood. The home occupation regulations of this subsection (E) are intended to permit residents to engage in customary home occupations, while ensuring that the home occupations will not be a detriment to the character and livability of the surroun...
Business Licensing & Operations by City in Lake County
1 cities in Lake County have their own business licensing & operations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Lake County ordinances
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