What permits do you need to open a restaurant in Lake County Il?

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.

Video Gaming Terminal Permit Sticker

County Code § 115.03(A) requires an "annual video gaming terminal permit sticker … for each video gaming terminal", applied for to "the Liquor Control Commissioner or his or her designee", with an "annual fee of $250 per video gaming terminal payable in full at the time the application is filed"; stickers expire June 30 next. A licensed establishment under § 115.01(B) is one holding a county liquor license for on-premises consumption and an Illinois Gaming Board license, or a fraternal, veterans or truck stop establishment licensed by the Illinois Gaming Board. The Liquor Commission page states: "Applicants for gaming permits must contact the County Board Office at 847-377-2300."

Temporary Use Permit (Commercial Events and Temporary Uses)

Temporary uses in unincorporated Lake County, including commercial events and temporary food stands, need a PB&D temporary use permit under UDO § 151.114. Commercial single-event permits cost $250 for the first event and $91 for each subsequent event in the calendar year. A commercial multi-event permit allowed by a conditional use permit costs $1,344 per year, or $1,411 with structures. All other temporary uses and structures cost $86 per year and $47 for each subsequent event in the calendar year. The building code portion of a temporary use permit adds $59. Figures are per the Lake County Land Development Fee Schedule, a County Board fee schedule marked "Effective: December 1, 2025" and published on the PB&D Fee Schedule page, in effect from December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year by the lesser of 2 percent or the Lake County Consumer Price Index. Under § 151.114, temporary food stands may be allowed by temporary use permit in the General Commercial (GC) district for up to six months per calendar year. The Temporary Use Permit page states that events serving food also need a Temporary Food Event Permit from the Health Department, and events serving alcohol a permit from the Liquor Commission.

Retail Food Establishment Permit

The Department of Public Health's Retail Food page states that retail food establishments in Illinois, 'including restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and food trucks, are regulated by local health departments serving the jurisdiction where the establishment is located', and directs anyone starting a retail food business to the local health department, so the permit and its fee are set locally and depend on the county or city. The state reserves permitting to itself only for food processing plants, which it splits with the Department of Agriculture. The code itself is the 2022 FDA Food Code as adopted by Illinois, and inspection findings are graded as priority, priority foundation or core rather than by a numeric score.

Shared with other businesses in Lake County Il

• Non-Community Water System 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 non-community water system permit, annual. Also required for coffee shops, childcare centres and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• 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)). Also required for coffee shops, retail stores and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• Food Establishment Plan Review, Opening Inspection and Ownership Consultation — 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. Also required for coffee shops, food trucks, retail stores and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• County Liquor License (Classes A, B, C, E, G, H, I) — Lake County Liquor Control Commission / County Board Office, $500–$1,750 annual renewal fee by class, plus an initial application fee for new licenses: Class A $1,500/yr + $1,000 initial; Class B (beer garden add-on for Class A holders) additional $500/yr; Class C $1,750/yr + $750 initial; Class E $850/yr + $1,150 initial; Class G $1,750/yr + $750 initial; Class H (caterer) $500/yr renewal; Class I $850/yr + $1,150 initial; $10 per-day penalty for payment July 2–31, expires the next June 30 after issuance (Code § 111.045(A)); fees due on or before July 1 (§ 111.047). Also required for coffee shops and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• County Liquor License Application Fee — Lake County Liquor Control Commission / County Board Office, $250 per application, applied to the license fee if the applicant is approved; non-refundable if the application is denied or not completed, one-time, per application. Also required for coffee shops and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• Liquor License Transfer to Different Premises — Hearing Fee — Lake County Liquor Control Commission / County Board Office, $200 per transfer application, one-time, per transfer. Also required for coffee shops and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• Amusement Device License (Unincorporated) — Lake County Liquor Control Commission / County Board Office, $50 per machine per license year (July 1 – June 30); distributor or lessor $200 per year; $10 per-day penalty for payment July 2–31; not prorated or refunded, license period July 1 – June 30 (Code § 110.39(B)). Also required for retail stores and fitness studios; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• Food Handler Training — Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Drugs and Dairies, No fee, 3 years. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Certified Food Protection Manager — Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Drugs and Dairies, No fee, 5 years. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.