Whether you're opening a new restaurant or taking over an existing business that has any food sales, service or storage, contact the Health Department as early as possible in the process. We're here to help you!

Required by any operation that provides food to the public. Examples include restaurants, grocery stores, churches, gas stations, day care centers, clubs, care facilities, bakeries, distributors, processors, schools and more.

No food for public consumption may be prepared or stored in the home. Private caterers (caterers who provide food for private events) are not licensed by either Evanston or the Illinois Department of Public Health.

TERM: Calendar Year.

FEE: Based on Risk Categories, use & square footage.

Category 1 < 5000 sq ft = $617

Category 2 > 5000 sq ft = $1370

Category 2 = $479

Category 3 = $274

RENEWABLE: Yes. Email notification by City of Evanston in November.

TRANSFERABLE: No. New owner must submit application to Health Department and receive license before any food storage, sales or service may take place.

CONTACT: hhslicensing@cityofevanston.org or phone 847-448-4311

STEPS TO OPEN A FOOD ESTABLISHMENT -This link provides a basic guideline for the licensing process

Apply Online:  Food Establishment License Application 
A Food Establishment Facility Review Packet (may be required if there is a building permit associated with a business, or deemed necessary for licensure.)

WE RECOMMEND you contact hhslicensing@cityofevanston.org to discuss your plans as soon as you have a specific address in mind or a type of operation you would like to open.

NEW CONSTRUCTION OR  REMODEL OF AN EXISTING BUSINESS?

• Building Permit Process
• Building Department Inspections Guideline
• Food Establishment Facility Review Packet 
• Food Service Design & Construction Manual 2019(an excellent in depth reference)

NEW SIGN?  For information and an application go to: Sign Permit Application

ALARM?  Registration is required. For information go to: Alarm Permit

TOBACCO SALES? Go to: Retail Tobacco Vendor License

LIQUOR? Go to: Liquor License Information & Applications

SIDEWALK CAFE? Sidewalk Cafe Permit

ZONING classifies restaurants as Type 1 (full-service) or Type 2 (quick-serve). Type 2 Restaurants are an Administrative Review. The process takes approximately 3 weeks. Final determination is confirmed by the Zoning Administrator. To begin the process, submit a Zoning Analysis for a Determination of Use at Zoning Applications or contact Development Services Supervisor, Jeremiah Bebo at  jbebo@cityofevanston.org.

Department of Health & Human Services Food Protection Program FAQs

For information regarding the rules and regulations of a home based business offering food to the public go to: 
Cottage Food Vendor Registration

**Please Note: Retail space in excess of 10,000 square feet -- follow this link explaining the Shopping Bag Policy.

• No amplified music is allowed outside the food establishment.  This applies to both sidewalk cafes and patios.
• No smoking is allowed in the food establishment. Smoking is also prohibited within 25 feet of an entrance to the food establishment.
• Regulations Regarding Animals in Food Establishments
  Animals, with the exception of service animals, are prohibited in food- service establishments. Regarding outdoor dining, refer to Dogs at Restaurant Outdoor Patios & Sidewalk Cafes 

Certified Food Protection Manager and Food Handler Certification

Allergy Awareness Training for Risk Category 1 Restaurants
Beginning January 1, 2018, the Illinois Department of Public Health is requiring all certified food protection managers employed at a risk 1 restaurant to obtain training in allergen awareness from an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited provider within 30 days of employment and every 3 years thereafter.  For detailed information Go To: Allergen Awareness Training.

Evanston City Code

• Title 3 Chapter 3 Weights and Measures
• Title 4 Chapter 12 Sign Regulations
• Title 6 Zoning
• Title 8 Chapter 5 Municipal Solid Waste
• Title 8 Chapter 8 Food Service and Retail Food Store Sanitation
• Title 8 Chapter 21 Clean Air Act - Smoking

State of Illinois

• Title 77 Chapter I Subchapter m Part 750 Food Service Sanitation Code
• FDA Food Code

HELPFUL SITES:

• IDPH Food Safety - Good resource for all things regarding the food business
• Illinois Department of Revenue
• Register Your Business – State of Illinois
• Starting a Business in Illinois – State of Illinois Business Portal
• Starting a Business – U.S. Small Business Administration
• Business Incorporation – U.S. Small Business Administration