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

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)).

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.

County Liquor License Application Fee

County Code § 111.037 states that an application for a county liquor license "shall include a $250 application fee (to be applied to the license fee if applicant is approved)". The Liquor Commission page states: "An application fee of $250 is due at the time of application. This fee will be applied to the License fee upon approval. If the license application is denied or if the application is not completed, the fee is non-refundable." The application file must include approvals from other agencies, fingerprints, PB&D certification that the premises conforms to its regulations, references, proof of possession of the premises for the July 1 – June 30 license period and liquor liability insurance before it is scheduled for a hearing.

Liquor License Transfer to Different Premises — Hearing Fee

A county liquor licensee in unincorporated Lake County that wants to move its license to different premises applies under County Code § 111.019(B), which states that "the licensee shall make written application to the Commissioner and pay a hearing fee of $200". The fee is set in the codified ordinance (history: Ord. passed 6-14-2005 and Ord. passed 8-13-2013). This applies only to existing licensees changing premises; a new applicant uses the application fee and class fees in the other liquor records.

Amusement Device License (Unincorporated)

County Code § 110.37(A), as amended by Ord. 26-0424 (passed 5-12-2026), sets "an annual license fee of $50 for each machine" for amusement devices displayed "outside the corporate limits of any city, village, or incorporated town" in Lake County. A distributor or lessor of devices pays an annual license fee of $200 (§ 110.37(B)). Fees are due to the Chair of the County Board on or before July 1; from July 2 to July 31 the original fee and a $10 per-day penalty apply (§ 110.37(C)). Under § 110.39(B) the license period runs from July 1 to June 30, and there is "No refund … and no license fee shall be prorated".

Shared with other businesses in Lake County Il

• Food and Beverage Vending Machine 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 vending machine permit. The amount depends on the number of machines at the location, annual. Also required for fitness studios; what it involves is set out on the fitness studios 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 restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Temporary Use Permit (Commercial Events and Temporary Uses) — Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department, Events of public interest, commercial single event permits: $250 for the first event and $91 for each subsequent event during the calendar year; commercial multi-event permit allowed by a conditional use permit: $1,344 per year ($1,411 with structures); all other temporary uses and structures: $86 per year and $47 for each subsequent event during the calendar year; plus the building code portion of $59, per event, or per calendar year for a multi-event permit. Also required for food trucks and restaurants; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.