Mobile food vendors operating in Des Plaines must obtain a city mobile food vendor business license and a Cook County Department of Public Health food sanitation permit. Vending on public streets is heavily restricted; most operations occur on private property with owner consent or at permitted special events.
The City of Des Plaines licenses mobile food vendors under its business licensing chapter and requires compliance with Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) food protection rules. Operators submit a city license application, proof of Illinois business registration, vehicle/trailer description, certificate of insurance, commissary agreement, and proof of food handler/manager certification. CCDPH issues the Mobile Food Establishment permit and conducts inspections. Vending on public streets is generally prohibited except at permitted special events such as Taste of Des Plaines or Summer Fair. Private-property vending requires written consent of the property owner, compliance with zoning (typically allowed only in B and M districts as accessory use), and minimum-distance setbacks from schools and brick-and-mortar restaurants. Operators must collect and remit Illinois sales tax and the Des Plaines home-rule food and beverage tax where applicable.
City license violations: $250-$750 per occurrence. CCDPH health code violations up to $1,000. Operating without a license may result in vehicle impoundment and license suspension.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines regulates amplified music under Title 6, Chapter 6 of the City Code. Amplified sound plainly audible at 75 feet during daytime, or audible at the...
Des Plaines, IL
Outdoor music in Des Plaines falls under Title 6, Chapter 6's amplified-sound provisions. Backyard gatherings with amplified music must comply with the 10 PM...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines City Code Title 12 (Zoning) and Title 8 (Building) require residential driveways to be paved with approved hard-surface materials and meet width ...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines prohibits feeding deer, coyotes, raccoons, and other wild animals that creates a nuisance or attracts dangerous wildlife. Bird feeding is general...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines City Code prohibits keeping horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other livestock in all residential and most commercial districts. Only tradi...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines is not located in any wildfire hazard zone. As a fully developed Chicago suburb in Cook County, the City has no wildland-urban interface designat...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how other cities in Cook County handle food truck permits.
See how Des Plaines's food truck permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.