Cook County Zoning Ordinance requires home occupations to be incidental to residential use, which limits customer traffic. Businesses generating excessive vehicle traffic or parking demands beyond residential norms may be in violation.
The Cook County Zoning Ordinance requires that home occupations remain incidental and secondary to the residential use of the dwelling. This means the business must not generate customer traffic or parking demands that exceed what is normal for a residential neighborhood. The zoning administrator reviews home occupation affidavits for compliance. Businesses that attract significant foot traffic, require employee parking, or generate delivery vehicle activity may not qualify as home occupations. The Department of Building and Zoning investigates complaints about home business traffic in unincorporated areas. Businesses that outgrow home occupation parameters must relocate to an appropriately zoned commercial location.
Excessive traffic from home business: zoning violation, $100–$1,000 fine. Business may be ordered to cease if residential character is altered.
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See how Cook County's customer traffic restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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