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Permits

Coffee and cart permits in Cook County, IL

Cook County is one of Illinois's largest markets for a new coffee business. Around 1,149 coffee and snack bars already operate here, alongside roughly 8,972 restaurants, so expect strong demand and real competition. Below is who issues permits in Cook County and the steps to open a coffee shop, cart, or trailer.

Local market in Cook County, IL

A broad read on the county around your shop, so you can size up demand before you commit.

County population5,182,090Major metroDense demand, more competition. 2024 estimate.
Median household income$80,547about the U.S. median household income, 2025 estimate.

These are county figures, so read them as a broad signal. Data from DataUSA (U.S. Census ACS and County Health Rankings).

Permit office

Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH)7556 Jackson Boulevard, Forest Park, IL 60130
708.836.8600

Covers suburban Cook County only, not Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, Skokie, or Stickney Township (each has its own certified health department). City of Chicago food permits go through the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Source

Statewide rules in Illinois

In Illinois, retail and mobile food permits are issued by your local health department under the Illinois Food Code, enforced with the Illinois Dept. of Public Health.

Food & vending permits
IDPH, retail & mobile food (issued by local health depts)
Sales tax permit
Certificate of Registration, MyTax Illinois (IDOR)
Sales tax rate
6.25% state base rateCombined rate in Chicago: about 10.25%Counties, cities, and special or transit districts add local sales tax on top, so your combined rate depends on your exact address.Illinois DOR sales tax rates
Food safety cards
Food Handler training for staff and at least one Food Service Sanitation Manager (FSSMC) on the team.

Typical license fees

In unincorporated Cook County, the Cook County Department of Public Health charges annual food service license fees from $75 to $600 a year based on seating or floor space. Mobile food units pay $125 a year.

Brick and mortar cafe with seats
$150 a year for 1 to 25 seats, $300 a year for 26 to 100 seats, $450 a year for 101 to 200 seats, or $600 a year for over 200 seats
Counter or kiosk with no seats
$75 a year for up to 300 square feet of floor space
Mobile cart, trailer, or truck
$125 a year
Catering
About $150 to $300 a year for most catering commissary kitchens depending on size
Pop-up or farmers market vendor
$25 per day of operation

These fees apply only in unincorporated Cook County. Food establishments in Chicago and other incorporated municipalities within Cook County are regulated by their own local health departments and pay different fees set by local ordinance. For establishments with no seating, the fee scales from $75 for up to 300 square feet up to $600 for spaces over 20,000 square feet. Annual food establishment fees are non-refundable.

Fee schedule, last verified July 14, 2026.

Official links, last verified July 14, 2026. Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees before you apply.

What you need to open

A common order to work through. Filter the cards below by your setup to see just the lines that apply.

  1. 1Food safetyFood handler and manager cards
  2. 2Business licenseRegister your business locally
  3. 3CityLocal permits and zoning
  4. 4StateSeller's permit and sales tax

Every setup

  1. Food handler and manager cards

    You and your staff carry food handler cards, and at least one manager usually holds a food safety manager certificate.

  2. Business license and registration

    Register your business, then get a city or county business license for where you operate.

  3. Seller's permit and state tax

    Register for a seller's permit and a state tax account so you can collect and send in sales tax.

Depends on your setup

  1. County health permit

    A fixed kiosk or cafe applies to the Cook County health department for a retail food facility permit covering the space where drinks and food are prepared.

    KioskCafe

  2. Mobile food facility permit

    Serving from a cart, trailer, or truck means a mobile food facility permit, often with a commissary or commercial kitchen agreement.

    Coffee cartTrailerPop-upFood truckCatering

  3. Temporary food facility permit

    Selling at farmers markets, festivals, and other events for a set number of dates usually needs a temporary food facility permit.

    TrailerPop-upFood truckCatering

  4. Fire and building sign off

    A storefront build out needs zoning and building sign off before you open. A food truck that runs propane or a generator may also need a fire safety inspection.

    KioskFood truckCafe

Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees with the department before you apply.

Common questions about Cook County permits

Do I need a permit to sell coffee in Cook County?
Yes. Any coffee shop, cart, or trailer serving drinks or food in Cook County needs a food permit, plus a Illinois sales tax permit and a local business license. Carts, trailers, and trucks are permitted as mobile food units and usually need a commissary or commercial kitchen agreement.
Who issues food and mobile vending permits in Cook County?
In Cook County, food and mobile vending permits are handled by Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH). You can reach them at 708.836.8600.
How many coffee shops are in Cook County?
About 1,149 coffee and snack bars operate in Cook County, alongside roughly 8,972 restaurants (2022 Census County Business Patterns). With about 5,182,090 residents, that is roughly one coffee or snack bar per 4,510 people.
Do I need a food handler card in Cook County?
Yes. Food Handler training for staff and at least one Food Service Sanitation Manager (FSSMC) on the team.
How much does a coffee shop or cart permit cost in Cook County?
Fees vary by permit type and are set by the issuing agency. Food facility and mobile unit permits commonly run from about $100 to several hundred dollars a year, on top of your Illinois sales tax permit (free to register) and a local business license. Confirm current fees with the department before you apply.
Show all 167 ZIP codes in Cook County

Find yours to confirm the exact jurisdiction before you apply.

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