Licenses & Permits
The Village issues a variety of licenses and permits for a variety of different activities in the Village. This page is meant to help residents and businesses quickly locate the information.
Licenses and Permits Information
A bicycle license can increase the likelihood of it being returned if it is lost or stolen. This is an optional, free service provided by the Police Department. To register your bicycle, use this form.
Contact
Police Department: 847-564-2060
Block parties are a tradition throughout the Village bringing together friends, families, and neighbors for fun festivities right outside their front door. However, these events do require a permit to take place. For convenience, residents can submit the Block Party application entirely online! Click the link below to submit an application.
Block Party Application
Contact
Public Works Department: 847-272-4711
The Village issues building permits depending on the project and work being completed. Below are the major categories of permits (grouped by type of project):
How Do I Pay for a Building Permit?
Please visit the Village of Northbrook online payment portal to pay for a building permit with a credit card.
Do I Need a Building Permit?
Permits are NOT be required for the following work:
- Residential Re-roofing (replacement of shingles/shakes)
- Residential/Commercial painting
- Residential drywall repair
- Residential floor covering installation or removal such as carpet, tile or laminate
- Residential low voltage installations, including security, cable TV and phone
- Prefabricated sheds that do not exceed 80 square feet in area. However, make sure the shed location meets applicable zoning requirements
- Residential siding installation
- Residential soffits replacement
- Residential stucco installation
- Residential asphalt sealcoating (Sealcoating Contractor requires license and signed affidavit)
- Electrical fixture replacements, like for like
- Plumbing fixture replacements, like for like
Contact
Development and Planning Services Department: 847-664-4050
The Village of Northbrook is updating its business license procedures to streamline the process for a new business to obtain a license as we as make annual renewals easier. As a result, there are a number of new updates from 2023 including:
- If you hold a valid 2023 license, you were previously emailed a license extension thru to November 1, 2024.
- All current license holders will be sent renewal information in late September 2024 to renew before November 1, 2024 for a license that will be valid thru April 30, 2026. This renewal will feature an online application and online payment of the renewal fee.
- The extension thru April 2026 coincides with technology upgrades that will establish a business portal where license holders will be able to access their application after May 1, 2026.
- Learn more at northbrook.il.us/367/Business-Licenses
Contact
Development & Planning Services: 847-664-4050 | BusinessLicense@northbrook.il.us
Any business that wishes to go door to door, whether to a business or residence, may only do so after securing a permit for commercial solicitation. Please contact the Police Department directly for information.
Contact
Police Department: 847-564-2060
Plumbing, electrical, concrete, and general construction work must be performed under the direct supervision of contractors licensed by the Village of Northbrook for that particular trade. Learn more about this license on this page.
Contact
Development and Planning Services Department: 847-664-4050
All crews intending to shoot film in the Village must contact the Police Department at 847-6644427 prior to start of production. The following information must be submitted on production company letterhead:
- The location of the shoot.
- The anticipated dates and times of filming, including a schedule for shooting.
- Details on the production’s plans for parking production and staff vehicles and whether or not the production will impact local traffic.
Prior to issuance of the permit, the production must also complete the following action as determined by the Police Department:
- Provide written authorization from the property’s owner for the production.
- Schedule and conduct a site inspection as determined by the Police Department’s representative.
- Obtain a certificate of insurance naming the Village of Northbrook as an additional insured in an amount no lower than $1,000,000.
- Notify all residents or businesses in the immediate area (as determined by the Police Department) by letter of the upcoming shoot schedule and any potential impacts on traffic.
The Police Department will issue you information on the Village’s noise ordinance and explain whether or not a detail officer will be required for the production as well as any corresponding costs.
For questions, please contact the Police Department Community Relations Supervisor at 847-664-4427.
Garage sales do not require a permit. Residents may conduct up to four sales each calendar year, consisting of three consecutive days per sale. However no more than one sale may be held within a thirty day period. Sale hours are limited between 7:30am and sunset. Off-site directional signs 4 square feet or less in size may be used provided they are not displayed more than 24-hours prior to sale starts and are removed 2-hours after the sale ends. Sales are limited to private property and may not encroach on public sidewalks or right-of-way.
Contact
Development & Planning Services: 847-664-4050
Home occupations in Northbrook are regulated to allow only those businesses or uses that are limited in extent, do not detract from the residential character of the neighborhood and are clearly subordinate to the residential use. There are limitations regarding:
- Number of employees and customers that can be on site
- Structural changes that can be made to the home
- How the business operates
- Type of impact it can have on the neighborhood
Contact
Development and Planning Services Department: 847-664-4050
Businesses involved in the sale of alcoholic beverages must secure a liquor license. Prior to the issuance of a license, specific requirements must be met. Click here for the applications and instructions for completing a new liquor license, liquor license renewal, temporary liquor license, and a temporary liquor license for a non-corporation. Please note: Those applying for liquor licenses for a special event should use the liquor license form linked under the "Special Event Permits" heading.
Contact
Village Manager's Office: 847-664-4010 or BusinessLicense@northbrook.il.us
Mobile food service establishments (i.e. food trucks) must secure a business license to operate in the Village of Northbrook. The license is intended for mobile food vendors that utilize a truck, cart, or trailer to dispense pre-packaged or prepared food intended for immediate consumption. A checklist of the Village requirements specific to this license can be found here: Mobile Food Vendor Licenses (PDF).
Additional Information:
- Mobile Food Service Establishment Operations & Parking Map - General Restrictions
- Mobile Food Service Establishment Operations & Parking Map - Special Event Restrictions
- Ordinance 2014-30
- Ordinance 2015-23
Contact
Development & Planning Services: 847-664-4050 or BusinessLicense@northbrook.il.us
An annual license is required to operate any outdoor seating area accessory to a restaurant. The application and instructions for applying for or renewing an outdoor seating area license can be found here.
Contact
Development & Planning Services: 847-664-4050 or BusinessLicense@northbrook.il.us
The village issues permits through Oxcart Permit Systems for oversized and/or overweight vehicles driving on village roadways. Please use the link below to submit a permit application:
https://www.oxcartpermits.com.
When planning the route, it is the responsibility of the applicant to determine if a roadway has a restriction. The approved permit must be with the vehicle at all times while operating on the streets within the village and shall be presented upon demand to any enforcement officer. Physical copies, as well as digital copies displayed on a smart device shall be accepted.
Contact
Per the Municipal Code, all cats and dogs must be licensed annually. To obtain license tags, you must provide a current rabies certificate for each animal. Breeders or hobbyists must also obtain an additional permit. To learn about animal licenses and breeder or hobbyist permits, visit this page.
Contact
Finance Department: 847-272-5050
A reservation request is required to utilize the Public Forum Display (the "Triangle"). This submittal should:
- Final Rendering of Proposed Display
- Proposed Dates of Display
- Affidavit and Release of all Claims
- Public Forum reservation request form
- Shermer-Walters Public Forum Use and Reservation Process
This application must be completed and filed with the Office of the Village Manager not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date set for the commencement of the distribution of the raffle chances. A thirty dollar fee is required to hold a raffle. The applicant organization must be recognized as a non-profit entity. Completion of this application is pursuant to Chapter 15, Article XIV of Northbrook's Municipal Code. Please contact (847) 664-4010 with any questions.
A permit is required for all food-related businesses, including grocery stores, restaurants, food carts, catering, certain home-based products, and vending machines.
Contact
- Development and Planning Services: 847-664-4050 or BusinessLicense@northbrook.il.us
Registration is required prior to the first rental of a short-term rental in any calendar year. The owner or long-term tenant of the dwelling unit must deliver written notice by mail or personal delivery to the owners of all parcels that abut the property on which the short-term rental will be located of the owner’s or long term tenant’s intent to offer their dwelling unit as a short-term rental. The written notice must include the rental registration number of the property, as provided by the Village Manager, and contact information for the owner or long-term tenant of the short-term rental.
Please download and view the Short Term Rental Registration and Ordinance 2021-7 below:
Contact
Village Manager's Office: 847-664-4010 or BusinessLicense@northbrook.il.us
A number of organizations hold special events (including large gatherings, festivals, fairs, etc.) in the Village. Special event permits help ensure the safety of the public during these times. Visit the Special Event Permit page for a detailed listing of permits as well as instructions on how to determine which permits may be needed.
Contact
Village Manager's Office: 847-664-4010
A taxicab vehicle license is required to operate a motorized passenger vehicle within the jurisdiction of Northbrook. This passenger vehicle operator is required to have a current chauffeur license. In order to dispatch within the Northbrook boundaries, taxicab and limousines firms are required to have a dispatch license. Taxicab operators and vehicle are processed through the Northbrook Police Department. Limousine drivers are regulated by the Secretary of State.
Contact
Police Department: 847-564-2060
The Village requires those seeking to remove trees to submit an application prior to removing any trees with a diameter equal to or greater than six (6) inches in diameter (twelve inches for clump trees). To learn more about tree preservation and removals, please see this webpage.
Contact
Public Works Department: 847-272-4711
A tobacco permit is required to sell tobacco. The application is available at the Village Clerk's Office and can be issued as part of a business license.
Contact
Village Manager's Office: 847-664-4010 or BusinessLicense@northbrook.il.us
Per the Municipal Code, all motor vehicles owned by a Village resident or by a person or entity (including associations, clubs. societies, firms, partnerships and bodies politic and corporate) having its principle place of business in the Village requires a Village vehicle license (often called a "vehicle sticker"). Learn how to apply for a license for your vehicle on the vehicle stickers page.
Contact
Finance Department: 847-272-5050