Business Registration and Licenses

Businesses are required to register with the city and renew their registrations and licenses annually. All registration and license certificates must be prominently displayed in public view at the business.

Business registrations and licenses expire on December 31 of each year. The City will send a renewal notice before the deadline. The licensee is responsible for renewing on time. Late fees and fines may be assessed on licensees who fail to renew.

The City requires additional licenses for certain types of business, in addition to the business registration. Below is a list of businesses that require separate city licenses to operate.

• Body Art Establishments
• Daycare Centers
• Firearms Dealers
• Establishments Selling Liquor
• Massage Establishments
• Mobile Home Parks
• Pawnbrokers/Secondhand Dealers
• Tobacco Dealers

Apply online for business registrations and licenses through the Des Plaines Customer Self-Service Portal.

Owners of rental property in the city must apply for a rental license and take the Phase 1 - Crime Free Multi-Housing Program seminar. If you have already taken this class in another town where you own rental property, please contact us to determine if you still need to attend one of our classes. Every owner of rental property in Des Plaines must take the basic certification. Please don't wait until the last minute!

Sign-up for the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program Seminar

Rental licenses are issued based on the type of property being rented: apartment, condominium, house, or townhome. Apply online for a rental license through the Des Plaines Customer Self-Service Portal. A rental license cannot be issued until the property owner or manager has completed the Phase 1 – Crime Free Multi-Housing Program seminar. Failure to fulfill this obligation could result in additional penalties and fines against the property owner.

An interior inspection of the property may be required before the license is issued.

A temporary event is any exhibition, performance, presentation, show, or organized gathering offered for public participation that will be conducted on public property or on private property that is outdoors, not specifically classified for such use under the city's zoning ordinance, in a facility that does not maintain a business license or registration contemplating public gatherings, or is reasonably anticipated to increase demand on City services, including police, fire, and traffic control. Examples of temporary events include, but are not limited to, any race/walk, festival, concert, circus, carnival, parade, rally, religious service, company or organization picnic, and fireworks display.

All temporary events taking place in Des Plaines must be approved for a Temporary Event License. Event organizers must complete a Temporary Event License Application and return it to the Building and Code Division, along with the $50 application fee at least thirty (30) days prior to the event. After a review by the relevant city departments, the applicant will be notified when the Temporary Event License is issued. Each event is unique, and inspections may be required in some cases.

A Seasonal/Temporary Sales License is required for temporary sale activities sometimes associated with a specific season or holiday that are open to the public and conducted for no more than ninety (90) consecutive days. Examples of temporary retail events include, but are not limited to, Christmas tree lots, pumpkin patches which include the sale of pumpkins, farmers' markets, and Halloween costume stores. Apply for a seasonal/temporary Sales License through the Des Plaines Self-Service Portal.

Businesses wishing to sell liquor in Des Plaines must obtain a liquor license from both the City and State and have a valid Business Registration before the sale of liquor can occur.

The Building and Code Division coordinates the application and review process for liquor licenses. The application packet(PDF, 289KB) can be downloaded and should be returned to staff by mail or in person. Once a completed application is made, staff will work with the applicant to place the item on a City Council agenda for possible approval.

Once approved by the City Council, the applicant will be provided a copy of their city license to obtain their state license. CED staff will issue the official city liquor license after all required business registration or building permit inspections have been completed.