Lake County

Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health

In short

Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health issues 11 permits we publish for Lake County, last verified 2026-10-07. Each carries the fee as the agency publishes it, with a link to the schedule it was read from.

What this agency issues

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Permit	Issuing agency	Fee	Renews	Last checked
Temporary Foodservice Permit (Single and Multiple Event)only if it applies to you	Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health	Set in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025 and which adjusts on December 1 each year; the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020, www.lakecountyil.gov/2787/Environmental-Health) states the amount for a given temporary foodservice permit. The amount depends on the food's risk category and whether the permit covers a single event or multiple events	per event, or per multiple-event permit	2026-10-07
Food and Beverage Vending Machine Permitonly if it applies to you	Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health	Set in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025 and which adjusts on December 1 each year; the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020, www.lakecountyil.gov/2787/Environmental-Health) states the amount for a given vending machine permit. The amount depends on the number of machines at the location	annual	2026-10-07
Tobacco, E-Cigarette and Alternative Nicotine Retailer License (Unincorporated)only if it applies to you	Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health	$100 per establishment per license year; vending machines in the same building $100 for the first and $25 for each additional vending machine license; 100% late fee	license year June 1 – May 31; renew at least 30 days before expiration (Code § 177.05(D))	2026-10-07
Onsite Wastewater Installation Contractor, Designer, Pumper, Service Provider and Soil Scientist Licenseonly if it applies to you	Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health	Set in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025 and which adjusts on December 1 each year; the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020, www.lakecountyil.gov/2787/Environmental-Health) states the amount for a given onsite wastewater contractor license. The amount depends on the number of license categories held	annual	2026-10-07
Non-Community Water System Permitonly if it applies to you	Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health	Set in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025 and which adjusts on December 1 each year; the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020, www.lakecountyil.gov/2787/Environmental-Health) states the amount for a given non-community water system permit	annual	2026-10-07
Food Service Establishment Permit	Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health	Set in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025 and which adjusts on December 1 each year; the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020, www.lakecountyil.gov/2787/Environmental-Health) states the amount for a given food service permit. The amount depends on the facility's risk category and type	permit year January 1 – December 31 (Code § 173.04(B))	2026-10-07
Food Establishment Plan Review, Opening Inspection and Ownership Consultationonly if it applies to you	Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health	Set in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025 and which adjusts on December 1 each year; the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020, www.lakecountyil.gov/2787/Environmental-Health) states the amount for a given plan review, opening inspection or ownership consultation. The amount depends on whether the review is major or minor, or is an opening inspection or ownership consultation	per project	2026-10-07
Mobile Catering Unit Food Permit	Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health	Set in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025 and which adjusts on December 1 each year; the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020, www.lakecountyil.gov/2787/Environmental-Health) states the amount for a given mobile catering unit permit. The amount depends on the unit's risk category	permit year January 1 – December 31 (Code § 173.04(B))	2026-10-07
Swimming Facility Licenseonly if it applies to you	Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health	Set in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025 and which adjusts on December 1 each year; the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020, www.lakecountyil.gov/2787/Environmental-Health) states the amount for a given swimming facility license. The amount depends on whether the license is annual or seasonal and the number of facilities at the location	annual or seasonal license	2026-10-07
Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Site Plan Review and Construction Permitonly if it applies to you	Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health	Set in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025 and which adjusts on December 1 each year; the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020, www.lakecountyil.gov/2787/Environmental-Health) states the amount for a given site plan review or construction permit. The amount depends on the type of work (new system, replacement or repair) and the type of system	per project	2026-10-07
Water Well Construction Permitonly if it applies to you	Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health	Set in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025 and which adjusts on December 1 each year; the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020, www.lakecountyil.gov/2787/Environmental-Health) states the amount for a given water well permit. The amount depends on whether the well is constructed, modified or sealed	per project	2026-10-07

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

About each permit

Temporary Foodservice Permit (Single and Multiple Event)

Temporary foodservice at an event, such as a food truck or restaurant stand at a festival or fair, needs a Health Department temporary foodservice permit, issued either for a single event or as a multiple-event permit. The fee depends on the food's risk category and on whether the permit covers one event or several. The fee is as published in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, adopted under County Code § 178.01, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year, and the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020) states the amount for a given permit or license.

Food and Beverage Vending Machine Permit

Food and beverage vending machines in Lake County carry an annual Health Department permit, with the fee set by the number of machines at each location; a retail store or fitness studio with food or beverage machines on its premises falls within this permit. The fee is as published in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, adopted under County Code § 178.01, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year, and the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020) states the amount for a given permit or license.

Tobacco, E-Cigarette and Alternative Nicotine Retailer License (Unincorporated)

County Code § 177.05(A) requires a license to sell tobacco products, electronic cigarettes or alternative nicotine products in unincorporated Lake County, and states that "A separate license must be obtained for each establishment". The license is administered by the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center (§ 177.05(B)). Per § 177.05(E) the fee is "$100 per license"; vending machines in the same building cost $100 for the first and "$25 for each additional vending machine license", and a 100% late fee applies. The license runs from June 1 to May 31, and renewal applications are due at least 30 days before expiration (§ 177.05(D)).

Onsite Wastewater Installation Contractor, Designer, Pumper, Service Provider and Soil Scientist License

Contractors working on onsite wastewater (septic) systems in the Health Department's jurisdiction hold an annual Health Department license as an installation contractor, designer, pumper, service provider or soil scientist. The fee depends on how many of those license categories the contractor holds. The fee is as published in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, adopted under County Code § 178.01, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year, and the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020) states the amount for a given permit or license.

Non-Community Water System Permit

A business that serves the public from its own well, such as a restaurant or childcare centre outside a public water system, holds an annual non-community water system permit from the Health Department. The fee is as published in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, adopted under County Code § 178.01, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year, and the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020) states the amount for a given permit or license. The permit applies to the water system itself, so it is held by the business that owns and operates the well serving its customers.

Food Service Establishment Permit

County Code § 173.04(A) states: "No person shall operate a food service facility without a valid permit issued to that person by the Health Officer." The annual permit fee depends on the facility's risk category and type. The fee is as published in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, adopted under County Code § 178.01, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year, and the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020) states the amount for a given permit or license. Non-governmental not-for-profit organizations that do not charge for food services are exempt from the fee schedule (§ 173.04(A)(2)(a)). The IDPH Local Health Department Directory lists the Health Department's jurisdiction as "Lake County", and its Food Safety program states that it permits and inspects over 3,000 food service facilities operating in Lake County.

Food Establishment Plan Review, Opening Inspection and Ownership Consultation

A new or remodelled food establishment submits plans to the Health Department before construction, and a change of owner or operator goes through an opening inspection or an ownership consultation. The fee depends on whether the work is a major or minor plan review, an opening inspection or a consultation. The fee is as published in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, adopted under County Code § 178.01, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year, and the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020) states the amount for a given permit or license. The Health Department's 2026 Food Plan Review Information Packet states that construction or remodeling may begin when approval is received from both LCHD/CHC and the local municipality.

Mobile Catering Unit Food Permit

A mobile catering unit holds an annual Health Department food permit, with the fee set by the unit's risk category in the same way as for fixed food service establishments. The fee is as published in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, adopted under County Code § 178.01, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year, and the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020) states the amount for a given permit or license. Permits under County Code § 173.04(B) run from January 1 through December 31. A food truck that also works single events uses the temporary food permits in a separate record.

Swimming Facility License

County Code § 174.055 states: "No person shall operate a swimming facility without a valid license issued by the Health Officer." Chapter 174 covers "swimming pools, spas, and public bathing beaches" (§ 174.003). The license is issued as an annual or a seasonal license, and the fee depends on that choice and on the number of facilities at the location. The fee is as published in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, adopted under County Code § 178.01, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year, and the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020) states the amount for a given permit or license. A fitness studio without a pool or spa has no swimming facility license.

Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Site Plan Review and Construction Permit

A business site served by an onsite wastewater treatment (septic) system rather than a public sewer goes through Health Department site plan review and obtains a permit to construct the system. The site plan review fee depends on whether the work is a new system, a replacement or a repair, and on the type of system. The fee is as published in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, adopted under County Code § 178.01, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year, and the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020) states the amount for a given permit or license. A business on a public sewer has no septic permit.

Water Well Construction Permit

A business that drills, modifies or seals its own water well needs a Health Department water well permit, and the Health Department inspects the installation. The fee depends on the work being done on the well. The fee is as published in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, adopted under County Code § 178.01, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year, and the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020) states the amount for a given permit or license. A business on a public water supply without its own well has no well permit.

Contact

Jurisdiction: Lake County
Phone: 847-377-8020
Website: www.lakecountyil.gov/2787/Environmental-Health

Contact details are taken from the agency’s own site or its published fee schedule. Where we have not verified a phone number we leave it blank rather than guess.

Sources

Every fee and term above was read from one of these government pages on the date shown.

2026 Food Plan Review Information PacketLake County Health Department and Community Health Center · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-07
Environmental HealthLake County Health Department and Community Health Center · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-07
Food SafetyLake County Health Department and Community Health Center · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-07
Lake County Code § 174.055 (swimming facility license)Lake County, Illinois (American Legal Publishing codification) · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-07
Lake County Code § 177.05 (tobacco, e-cigarette and alternative nicotine retailer license)Lake County, Illinois (American Legal Publishing codification) · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-07
Lake County Code § 178.01 (Health Department fees established and amended)Lake County, Illinois (American Legal Publishing codification) · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-07
Lake County Code ch. 173 (food service sanitation; § 173.04 permits)Lake County, Illinois (American Legal Publishing codification) · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-07
Lake County Code ch. 174 (swimming facilities; § 174.003 scope)Lake County, Illinois (American Legal Publishing codification) · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-07
Local Health Department Directory — Westchester RegionIllinois Department of Public Health · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-07

Other offices serving Lake County

The full permit list for this jurisdiction

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