Des Plaines's home occupation regulations restrict customer, client, and patient visits to home-based businesses. The City requires that home occupations not generate vehicular or pedestrian traffic beyond what is normal for a residential area. Retail sales from the premises are generally prohibited.
Des Plaines limits customer traffic at home-based businesses to preserve residential neighborhood character. The zoning code requires that home occupations not generate parking demand or vehicular traffic in excess of what is typical for a residential property. Customer, client, and patient visits that would create such traffic are not permitted. Retail sales of goods from the premises are generally prohibited; remote sales with shipping are the appropriate model. Deliveries should be limited to typical residential volume, meaning routine USPS, UPS, and FedEx drop-offs are acceptable, while frequent commercial freight deliveries are not. The restriction applies at all hours and includes weekends. Limited tutoring or music lessons with one student at a time may sometimes be tolerated in practice, but recurring multi-client visits typically trigger enforcement. Neighbor complaints about parked cars, frequent visitors, or driveway congestion are the most common enforcement triggers in Des Plaines residential neighborhoods.
Generating excess customer or client traffic from a home business may result in a notice of violation from Code Enforcement at (847) 391-5300. Fines typically begin at $50 per day. Continued violations may result in administrative adjudication and an order to cease the business activity.
Des Plaines, IL
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