What permits do you need to open a coffee shop in Mchenry County Il?

Food Establishment Health Permit (Fixed Location – Seasonal)

A fixed-location food establishment that operates for less than five months in a permit year is a "Seasonal Food Establishment" under PHO Article I and pays the Fixed Location – Seasonal fee instead of the annual fixed-location fee: $150.00 for Risk Classification I, $115.00 for Risk Classification II and $80.00 for Risk Classification III, per PHO Article VII §8.04.960 (Fees), approved by the County Board on July 21, 2026 and effective August 1, 2026; Article VII states that fees are in effect from December 1 through November 30 of the following year or until modified by the County Board. The permit year runs May 1 to April 30. The permit applies countywide, in incorporated and unincorporated areas alike. A seasonal ice cream stand or coffee kiosk open only in summer is the typical case.

Seasonal Temporary Food Establishment Permit (Single Location)

A temporary food vendor that operates repeatedly at one location during the permit year can hold a seasonal temporary food permit instead of separate event permits. Article VII sets $255.00 for Risk Classification I (5 months), $180.00 for Risk Classification II (5 months) and $360.00 for Risk Classification II (8 months), per PHO Article VII §8.04.960 (Fees), approved by the County Board on July 21, 2026 and effective August 1, 2026; Article VII states that fees are in effect from December 1 through November 30 of the following year or until modified by the County Board. Under §8.04.230.B the vendor must be under the supervision of a certified food protection manager whenever operating, its past temporary events must have been in substantial compliance, and the application and fee must be submitted to the Department. Seasonal temporary permits are not renewable within a permit year.

Food Handler Training

The state charges nothing and issues nothing — it says so in as many words, that it does not issue food handler certifications — but the training is still mandatory for every paid food handler who is not already a certified food protection manager, within thirty days of hire. Providers set their own prices, and the Act requires at least one option to be available at $15 or less. A restaurant must use a course with ANSI approval; other food businesses may use any course IDPH has registered. The certificate belongs to the employee, not the employer, so it travels with them and the employer is not obliged to pay for it. Note the term differs from the manager certification: three years here, five there.

Shared with other businesses in Mchenry County Il

• County Retail Liquor License (Classes A, B, C, D, E, W) — McHenry County Liquor Control Commissioner and Law & Government/Liquor Committee, $100–$1,500 annual license fee by class: A $1,500, B $1,500, C (caterer) $1,500, D $100 (requires a current Class A), E $800 (150 consecutive days), W (brewpub/winemaker/distiller) $1,500; plus a one-time, non-refundable $1,000 application fee for new applicants (not charged on renewals by the same licensee), license year May 1 – April 30 (County Code §5.08.090.A); Class E runs 150 consecutive days. Also required for restaurants and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
• Temporary Food Establishment Permit — McHenry County Department of Health, $45–$70 per event: Risk Classification I $70.00, II $45.00; late fee $25.00 if the application is received less than 5 days before the event; festival permit $440.00 for up to 10 stands plus $35.00 per stand over 10, one event at a fixed location, not more than 14 consecutive days (PHO Art. I). Also required for food trucks and restaurants; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
• Food Establishment Construction Plan Review — McHenry County Department of Health, $125–$400 per project: Major review Risk I $400.00, II $275.00, III $200.00; Minor review $125.00; 2nd and subsequent resubmittal $75.00; food establishment variance review $100.00; the review fee is doubled if work starts without written approval, plan approval valid two years from the date of approval (PHO Art. III §8.04.160.D); renewable for six months at half the prevailing plan review fee. Also required for restaurants, food trucks, retail stores and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• Food Establishment Health Permit (Fixed Location – Foodservice/Commissary/Caterer) — McHenry County Department of Health, $280–$410 per permit year, by risk class: Risk Classification I $410.00, II $345.00, III $280.00; a non-seasonal establishment that opens on or after November 1 pays half the annual fee for that permit year, permit year May 1 – April 30 (PHO Art. III §8.04.140.B); renewal is delinquent if not made within five business days after April 30. Also required for restaurants; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
• Supplemental Health Permit (Outdoor Cooking or Outdoor Bar) — McHenry County Department of Health, $105 per Supplemental Health Permit, in addition to the annual or seasonal health permit, issued alongside the establishment's annual or seasonal health permit. Also required for restaurants; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
• Food Program Conditional, Replacement, Reinstatement and Re-inspection Fees — McHenry County Department of Health, $25–$100 per event: Replacement Permit $25.00; Conditional Permit $65.00; Reinstatement after suspension or revocation $95.00; 2nd and subsequent re-inspections for the same violation $95.00; Off Site Food Storage Facility $100.00, per occurrence; a conditional permit lasts up to 30 days (PHO Art. III §8.04.140.D). Also required for restaurants, food trucks, retail stores and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
• Retail Food Establishment Permit — Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Drugs and Dairies, No state fee — the permit and its price are set by the local health department, set by the local health department. Also required for restaurants and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
• Certified Food Protection Manager — Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Drugs and Dairies, No fee, 5 years. Also required for restaurants and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.