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Cook County, IL Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Annual license fee
$125.00 per year
Licensing authority
Cook County Dept. of Public Health
Geographic scope
Unincorporated Cook County only
Penalty for violation
$1,000.00 fine, Class B misdemeanor

Summary

Cook County requires mobile food units operating in unincorporated Cook County to hold an annual food establishment license from the Department of Public Health, with a fee of $125.00 covering inspection costs.

City-specific rules exist: Skokie, Evanston, Arlington Heights, Chicago, Schaumburg, Tinley Park, Oak Lawn, and Oak Park have their own food truck permits rules that differ from Cook County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Sec. 32-1. - Fee schedule. The fees or charges provided for or required by the below-listed sections shall be as shown below: ... CHAPTER 38, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food establishment; Unincorporated Cook County Annual license fee (includes inspection costs) ... Mobile food unit 125.00

Source: Cook County Dept. of Public HealthView official code

Full Breakdown

The Cook County Department of Public Health licenses mobile food units under its Chapter 32 fee schedule, which sets an annual $125.00 fee for a mobile food unit alongside a $25.00 daily fee for temporary retail food establishments and a $300.00 food establishment plan review fee. The Department's jurisdiction, set by Sec. 38-29, runs throughout unincorporated Cook County and any incorporated area lacking its own certified health department: most Cook County suburbs run their own licensing, so this fee applies where CCDPH is the food-safety authority, not sitewide across every municipality including Chicago.

Violations & Fines

Operating without the required license violates Article II of Chapter 38; the Department may pursue a Class B misdemeanor charge carrying a $1,000.00 fine per violation, plus injunctive relief in Circuit Court.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this license apply if I operate in Chicago?
No. Chicago has its own health department and licensing; Cook County's Department of Public Health licenses food establishments, including mobile food units, only in unincorporated areas and places without their own certified health department.
How much does a Cook County mobile food unit license cost?
The annual license fee is $125.00, which covers the Department of Public Health's inspection costs, under the Chapter 32 fee schedule referenced in Sec. 38-42.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Cook County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsVending ZonesSome RestrictionsSidewalk & Mobile VendingSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningFew Restrictions

All Cook County rules

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Food Truck Permits in Cities Across Cook County

Chicago, ILEvanston, ILOak Park, ILSchaumburg, ILArlington Heights, ILSkokie, ILDes Plaines, ILOrland Park, ILTinley Park, ILOak Lawn, IL