Business Licenses

About the Business License Officer

The Business License Officer oversees the licensure of businesses located within the jurisdiction of the Village of Northbrook. The Municipal Code does not currently require the licensing of home occupations, except for daycare service facilities operated as a home occupation.

Zoning Code

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). Please submit a Zoning Analysis Application (PDF) to ensure your business is compliant with the Zoning Code.

Business License Applications

*For establishments that sell/serve food and nursing homes, business licenses are not transferable under new ownership, new licenses will not be issued, and occupancy cannot take place until inspections have been completed.

Application Documents

  1. Application for a Business License 2023
  2. Business License Procedures
  1. 2023 Seasonal Outdoor Dining Application
  2. Zoning Analysis.pdf

Mobile Food Vendors (Food Trucks)

  1. Mobile Food Vehicle Business License.pdf
  2. Mobile Food Service Establishment Downtown Parking Map - General (PDF)
  3. Mobile Food Service Establishment Downtown Parking Map - Special Events (PDF)
  1. Ordinance 2014-30
  2. Ordinance 2015-23

Liquor License Applications

  1. Liquor License Application - New License – Classes A, B, B-1, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, O, P-1, P-2
  2. Liquor License Application – Renewal - Classes A, B, B-1, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, O, P-1, P-2
  1. Liquor License Application Short Term Class G-1 and Class M and Class Q
  2. Liquor License Application Short Term Class N and Class Q-1

Businesses Licensed

The Municipal Code requires licenses for businesses in the following categories:

  • Adult Uses (Entertainment, etc.)
  • Amusement / Vending Devices
  • Banks
  • Boarding Kennel/Pet Store
  • Bowling / Bocce
  • Business Termination Sales (Fraudualent Sales, e.g."Going Out of Business Sales.")
  • Chauffeur & Taxi/Taxi Dispatch
  • Cleaners/Laundries
  • Construction Roll-off Containers / Waste Haulers
  • Contractual Food Service
  • Day Care
  • Drive-Throughs
  • Driving Range/Golf Food Vending Machines
  • Food Delivery Vehicles
  • Food Processing Establishment
  • Food Service Carryouts



  • General Broker/Ticket Agent
  • Health Club
  • Hobbyist/Breeders Permit (Contact Animal Control Officer at Police Department)
  • Hotel/Motels
  • Machine Shops/Foundries
  • Massage Therapist (State license required)
  • Mobile Food Vendors (i.e. Food Trucks)
  • Motor Vehicle: Service/Sales
  • Movie Theaters
  • Nursing Homes
  • Restaurant/Retail Foods
  • Retail Establishments
  • Salons (Hair, Nail, etc.) (State license required)
  • Scavengers (Waste Haulers)
  • Second Hand Dealers
  • Service Establishment
  • Tobacco Sales
Please note that certain businesses may require zoning approval or have a license restriction. It will then be necessary to contact the zoning or licensing department for clarification. Examples of a category that has a restriction or zoning issue would be a tobacco "only" facility or a restaurant.

Fire and Zoning Inspections

Please note that all new businesses must have fire and zoning inspections prior to receiving their business license. Please schedule these with the following contacts:

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Fire Department

Contact Kevin Frangiamore at 847-664-4501.

Development & Planning Department

Contact the Development & Planning Department at 847-664-4050.

Paying for a License

See options on how to pay for your license on the Pay My Bill page.

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
  • Freedom of Information
    Village Clerk
    847-272-5050
  • Complaints
    Better Business Bureau
    312-832-0500
  • Fraud/Misrepresentation
    Attorney General
    312-814-3580