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2026 Business License Renewal Is Here!!
The Village is preparing to send out notification via email for 2026 business license renewals within the second week of February. The follow requirements shall apply in order to receive a renewed 2026 business license:
Completed Business License Application
Completed applications can be submitted in the following ways:
1. Email the completed application to businesslicense@northbrook.il.us.
2. Drop off completed application and pay renewal fee at the Department of Development & Planning Services located on the 2nd floor of the Village Hall.
3. Mailing the completed application to:
Northbrook Village Hall
Attn: Business Licenses
1225 Cedar Lane
Northbrook, IL. 60062
Payment of Business License Fee
Payment may be submitted using one of the following methods:
1. Through our online payment portal by clicking this link: Pay Your Business License. In the Find Your Business License Invoice search bar, you can search by business Name or Address by clicking on the preferred tab above the search bar. Be sure to click on either of these tabs before entering in your information.
2. Pay in person at the Department of Development & Planning Services, located on the 2nd floor of Village Hall.
3. Mail a copy of the invoice and/or reference Invoice # on a check made payable to the Village of Northbrook to:
Northbrook Village Hall
Attn: Business Licenses
1225 Cedar Lane
Northbrook, IL. 60062
If there are any questions regarding the above, please email businesslicense@northbrook.il.us or contact the Department of Development & Planning Services at 847/664-4050.
Business Licensing FAQs
A license/registration is required for each location.
The licenses and registration required in this chapter shall be in addition to any vehicle license, alcoholic beverage license, building permit, inspection fees, zoning or subdivision approval or any other fees that may be required by any other chapter of this Code, the building code, or any village ordinance.
The fee for all licenses and registrations will be due in the full amount at the time of application. Acceptance by the village of a fee for a license or registration will not constitute the issuance of the license or registration and will not entitle the applicant to any of the rights or privileges conferred by the issuance of any license or registration.
If the village denies issuance of a license or registration, no refund of the application fee will be made to the applicant.
If an applicant submits an application on or after October 1 of any year, the fee will be in an amount equal to 50% of the fee set forth in the annual fee ordinance. Applications submitted before October 1 will be required to pay the full amount of the fee set forth in the annual fee ordinance.
Applicant must agree to permit authorized village officials (1) to enter the applicant business’s place of business, including those areas of the premises not open to the general public, during regular business hours and (2) to take necessary samples of any commodity or material for the purpose of determining whether or not the applicant has complied with all regulatory requirements for the issuance of a license or registration.
No license or registration may be granted for a period longer than one year, with the exception of licenses and registrations issued on or after the effective date of this ordinance, which shall be valid through and until April 30, 2026. After April 30, 2026, the Village will issue annual licenses and registrations for a period commencing on May 1st each year and ending on April 30th of the following year.
All applications for licenses and registrations, as well as renewals thereof, must be filed with the village no later than 30 days before the end of the annual license period. Applications submitted after that date will be subject to a late penalty fee as set forth in the annual fee ordinance.
A business must display its current and effective license or registration certificate in a prominent location in its place of business at all times. It shall be unlawful to display an expired, revoked or suspended license or registration certificate. The village has the right to enter upon a licensed or registered place of business at any time for the purpose of removing an expired, revoked or suspended license or registration certificate.
The location of any licensed or registered business may be changed upon written notice served ten days in advance to the village manager, providing the new business location is in compliance with all building, zoning and other applicable requirements of all village ordinances.
No, they are not. Neither a business license or registration may be assigned or transferred to any other person, even if such other person intends to conduct the same business at the same place of business.
A new applications is required.
Liquor License Applications
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. For any questions, please contact the Village Manager's Office at 847-664-4010.
Liquor License Questions?
Call Village Manager’s Office at 847-664-4010 Monday – Friday 8:30 – 4:30pm
Home Based Businesses
The Zoning Code does permit home businesses, however, it does not allow more than four persons who are employees, clients, or independent contractors of the home occupation and are not domiciled in the dwelling units at one time. Day care service facilities operating as a home occupation shall be allowed attendance of up to eight children, including family members, at any one time. (See Northbrook Zoning Code, Section 9-102 C. Use Limitations). If you are considering a new home occupation or business, please submit a Zoning Analysis Application (PDF) to ensure your business is compliant with the Zoning Code.
Outdoor Dining License
An annual license is required to operate any outdoor seating area accessory to a restaurant. The application for applying for or renewing an outdoor dining license can be found here.
Contact
Development & Planning Services: 847-664-4050 or BusinessLicense@northbrook.il.us
Business License Requirements/Referrals
Many questions are asked concerning related business requirements and/or complaints. The following are referral numbers for these issues:
- Registering an Assumed Name
Cook County
312-443-5652 - Tax ID's, W2 Forms, Information
Illinois Department of Revenue
800-732-8866
- Complaints
Better Business Bureau
312-832-0500 -
Fraud/Misrepresentation
Attorney General
312-814-3580