Business Licensing & Operations in St. Clair County, IL (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated St. Clair County, Illinois.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of St. Clair County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Massage Establishments

St. Clair County requires anyone operating a massage establishment in the unincorporated county to hold a permit from the County Clerk under Sec. 8-3-2, on top of a separate permit for each masseur or masseuse. Applicants pay a $500 filing fee plus a $5,000 establishment permit fee, undergo a Sheriff background check and a joint Zoning/Building/Sheriff inspection, and can be denied for felony or morals-related convictions.

Massage Establishment Permits in St. Clair County

Significant Restrictions

St. Clair County Code § 8-3-2

8-3-2 PERMIT REQUIRED. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the conduct or carry on, or to permit to be engaged in, conducted, or carried on, in or upon any premises in St. Clair County the operation of a massage establishment as herein defined without first having obtained a permit from the County Clerk, for each and every separate office or place of business conducted by such person.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Pawnbrokers

St. Clair County requires a $500 annual license from the County Clerk before anyone operates a pawnshop in the unincorporated county, under Sec. 8-7-1. The Sheriff investigates every applicant's character, pawnbrokers cannot take firearms as pledges, dealings with minors are restricted, and pledge records must stay open to police inspection, with the County Board Chairman able to revoke the license for any violation.

Pawnbroker Licensing in St. Clair County

Significant Restrictions

St. Clair County Code § 8-7-1

8-7-1 LICENSE REQUIRED. No person, firm or corporation shall conduct or operate the business of pawnbroker without having first obtained a license therefor as is herein provided; or in violation of any of the provisions herein contained. Any pawnbroker's license may be revoked by the County Board Chairman for any violation of any provision of this Article.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All St. Clair County ordinances

See every category we cover for St. Clair County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

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