(A) 
As used in this chapter, the word "license" includes the word "permit," and the word "permit" includes the word "license," where the context requires.
[Added 11-22-2016 by Ord. No. 7-2016]
(B) 
Applications for all licenses and permits required by ordinance shall be made in writing to the City Clerk. Each application shall contain: (1) the name of the applicant; (2) the permit or license desired; (3) the location to be used, if any; (4) the time covered; and (5) the fee to be paid. Each application also shall contain the number of the certificate of registration required under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and/or Use Tax Act, if applicable.[1] Each application shall contain such additional information as may be needed for the proper guidance of the City officials in the issuing of the license or permit applied for. The issuance of and the conduct of the business of alcoholic liquor licenses and dealers is governed exclusively by the provisions of Article 2 of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 3, Taxes, Art. 1, of the City Code.
[Amended 11-22-2016 by Ord. No. 7-2016]
Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, joint venture or other entity operating, engaging in or otherwise conducting any business (or the solicitation of any business) or occupation requiring a license, through itself or its agents, shall be required to obtain a license prior to engaging in any such activity.
Forms for all licenses and permits, and applications therefor, shall be prepared and kept on file by the City Clerk. Each license or permit issued shall bear the signature of the Mayor and the City Clerk in the absence of any provisions to the contrary.
(A) 
Upon the receipt of an application for a license, the City Clerk shall forward the application to the appropriate official(s) for the purpose of performing any necessary investigation or inspection. The purpose of the investigation is to ensure that the applicant will conduct his business in accordance with all building, zoning, health, fire safety and similar requirements of the Municipal Code and any other relevant regulations. A copy of the investigations shall be forwarded to the City Clerk. If the application and related investigative reports are satisfactory, the license shall be approved and the City Clerk shall notify the applicant accordingly.
(B) 
If a license application is denied, the City Clerk shall apprise the applicant in writing relative to the reasons for the denial. The applicant will be allowed an opportunity to be heard before the City Council and present evidence on its behalf in appealing the initial denial of any business license.
(C) 
In addition to failing to comply with all relevant provisions of the Municipal Code or other life safety regulations, a business license application will be rejected for the failure to provide truthful information in the application or the failure to cooperate with any City investigation or inspection.
(A) 
In the absence of provisions to the contrary, all fees and charges for licenses or permits shall be paid in advance at the time application therefor is made to the City Clerk in the amounts prescribed in the schedule set forth herein.
(B) 
In addition, a license fee is required for each vending machine, which must be paid at the time the machine is installed. There shall be no prorating of vending machine license fees.
(C) 
[1]Unless otherwise provided, all fees shall become a part of the general corporate fund.
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Subsection (C), regarding license terms, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 30, General Provisions, Art. 2). See now § 11.06 below.
(D) 
In no event shall any rebate or refund be made of any license or permit fee, or part thereof, by reason of bankruptcy, death or departure of the licensee or permittee; nor shall any rebate or refund be made by reason of the revocation of his license or permit.
Licenses, permits or fees, unless otherwise provided, shall be for the fiscal year beginning May 1 and ending April 30 of the next succeeding year; provided, however, that any person applying for a license who commences business at any time subsequent to November 1 of the fiscal year shall pay an amount equal to 50% of the annual fee or charge for said license or permit, which shall expire on April 30 of the fiscal year.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 30, General Provisions, Art. 2).
No license shall be issued for the conduct of any business, and no permit shall be issued for any purpose or activity, if the premises and building to be used for the purpose do not fully comply with all applicable ordinances and regulations of the City and the State of Illinois.
The location of any licensed business or occupation, or the location of any permitted act, may be changed, provided that 10 days' notice thereof is given to the City Clerk in the absence of any provision to the contrary; provided, however, that all applicable ordinances and regulations of the City shall be complied with before the business or occupation may commence in the new location.
No license for the operation of a business or establishment in the City shall be construed to permit the operation of a licensed business or establishment in more than one location. A separate license shall be required for each location of a licensed establishment. For the purpose of this Code, the existence of a single location shall be evidenced by the fact that all buildings containing the principal or accessory uses shall be connected or shall be located on the same lot or parcel, shall be operated and managed by the same person or owner, and shall be an establishment with the same classification.
(A) 
Whenever the consent of adjoining or neighboring owners is required as a prerequisite to the conduct of any business or occupation, or the location of any establishment, such consents must be obtained by securing the necessary signatures to a written consent petition. Such petition shall be filed with the City Clerk when signed.
(B) 
Consents, once given and filed, shall not be withdrawn; and such petitions need not be renewed for the continuous conduct of the same business, whether by the same proprietor or not.
(C) 
It shall be unlawful to forge any names to such a petition, or to falsely represent that the names thereon have been properly placed thereon if such is not the fact.
(D) 
Each consent, when filed, shall be accompanied by the affidavit of the person securing the signature that each signature appearing thereon was properly secured and written on and that the petition contains the necessary number of signatures required by ordinance.
(E) 
The frontage consent requirements contained in this chapter shall not be construed as amended or changing any zoning ordinance or provision of the City; and no such provision shall be construed as permitting the erection of a structure or building, or the conduct of a business, or the commission of any act in any location where such structure, building, business or act is prohibited by any zoning ordinance of the City.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 22, Zoning.
[Amended 4-12-2022 by Ord. No. 3-2022]
(A) 
When the conduct or operation of any business or establishment, whether or not licensed, shall constitute an immediate nuisance and present danger to the public health, safety or general welfare, the Mayor shall be authorized to summarily order the cessation of business, the closing of the premises, and the suspension of any license or permit. The Mayor shall conduct a hearing within seven days of the emergency closure and suspension, giving the licensee an opportunity to be heard or otherwise contest the Mayor's actions. If insufficient evidence is presented by the licensee at the hearing, the Mayor is authorized to order that the premises remain closed and the license suspended until the licensee has submitted sufficient evidence showing that the operation of the licensed premises is in conformance with all relevant regulations required by the City.
(B) 
If no emergency or immediate threat to the health, safety and welfare exists, the Mayor, after notice and hearing, is hereby authorized to suspend, revoke or refuse to renew any license for, but not limited to, any of the following causes:
(1) 
Any fraud, misrepresentation, or false statement contained in the application for the license or permit;
(2) 
Any violation by the licensee or permittee of any provision of any federal or state statute or regulation, violation of any Cook County ordinance, violation of any provision of this Municipal Code or violation of any health safety regulations relating to the operation of the licensee's business or business premises;
(3) 
Conviction of the licensee or permittee of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
(4) 
Failure of the licensee or permittee to pay any fine or penalty owing to the City;
(5) 
Refusal to permit an inspection or sampling, or any interference with a duly authorized City officer or employee.
(C) 
Notice of the hearing for revocation of a license or permit shall be given in writing, setting forth specifically the grounds of the complaint and the time and place of the hearing. Such notice shall be sent by mail to the licensee or permittee at his last known address at least five days prior to the date set for the hearing.
(D) 
At the hearing, the City Attorney shall present the complaint and shall represent the City. The licensee or permittee shall be permitted counsel and shall have the right to submit evidence and cross-examine witnesses. The Mayor shall preside and shall render the decision.
(E) 
The City is not limited to the remedies provided herein and is otherwise authorized to prosecute the licensee for any violations administratively or in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Any licensee aggrieved by the decision of the Mayor under §§ 11.04 and 11.11 may appeal that decision to the City Council. The licensee shall request the appeal by notifying the City Clerk in writing. The City Council shall thereupon set the time and place for a hearing on such appeal, and notice of such hearing shall be given to the applicant or licensee. The licensee shall be given an opportunity to present evidence before the City Council. The decision of the City Council on such appeal shall be final.
It shall be the duty of every person conducting a licensed business in the City to keep his license posted in a prominent place on the premises used for such business at all times. Vending machine licenses shall be affixed to each machine where they can be clearly seen.
Whenever the number of vehicles used is the basis, in whole or in part, for a license fee, the City Clerk shall furnish the licensee with a tag or sticker for each vehicle covered by the license, and such tag or sticker shall be posted or affixed in a conspicuous place on each such vehicle.
Unless another penalty is provided in this chapter, any person, firm, or corporation who or which shall be convicted of violating any provision of this chapter shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $750 for each offense. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 30, General Provisions, Art. 2).
(A) 
Purpose.
(1) 
The City may directly license certain businesses or occupations under powers granted under the Illinois Municipal Code; however, because each commercial establishment located in the City is a basic part of and affects the physical and economic well-being of the City, necessitating special services from the City in the form of fire, health, sanitation, building and police inspections and services, such commercial establishments shall in all respects be in full compliance with the provisions of this section. This section is designed to provide for the means whereby the City may render the necessary inspections and services to commercial establishments and commercial areas in order to promote, protect, and safeguard the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Hometown and to enable the effecting of an accurate record of commercial establishments located in and carrying on commercial activities or commerce within the City of Hometown.
(2) 
The commercial establishments so regulated may or may not have their principal place of business located within the City of Hometown.
(3) 
The business regulation fees provided for herein are not intended to license any business or profession nor are they to be construed as an endorsement of the competency or skill of any individual, company, corporation or other entity. Only governmental activities and other approved eleemosynary activities will be issued a certificate without charge, except as may be required herein.
(4) 
The business regulatory fee is not intended to deprive the City of its power to license said business under the provisions of the Illinois Municipal Code.
(B) 
Basis of fee.
(1) 
Business regulation fees based upon square foot area are predicated upon the premise that there is a finite amount of square footage in all of the commercial zoning districts within the City. These commercial districts require substantial services over and above the services provided for single-family homes and other residential districts. The business activities conducted within the finite square foot area of the commercial districts of the City require these extra services regardless of the activity being conducted within each commercial space. Therefore, the fee is based equitably upon the square foot area of each place of business as a minimum fee.
(2) 
All measurements are expressed in square feet and shall be to the nearest integral square foot; if a fraction is one-half square foot or more, the integral square foot next above shall be taken.
(3) 
"Floor area" is the sum total of the gross horizontal areas of all of the several floors of a building and its accessory buildings measured in square feet from the exterior faces of the exterior walls or from the center line of party walls separating two buildings or business establishments on each of the respective floors, and shall include the basement floor, cellar floor, motor vehicle parking space when such space is used in conjunction with a drive-in commercial establishment, and commercial establishments devoted to the sale, service, and/or repair of motor vehicles, floor space used for mechanical equipment, whether open or enclosed, penthouse attic space, balconies, mezzanines, porches and verandas, and floor area devoted to and occupied by accessory uses, even though such floor area may be temporarily vacant or not in use.
(C) 
Other factors.
(1) 
The basis for the fee schedule may be based on additional factors other than the square foot area of the business establishment.
(2) 
Other fee charges are added for activities listed in § 11.17.
(D) 
Fees.
[Amended 4-25-2006 by Ord. No. 5-2006]
(1) 
The minimum regulatory fee schedule shall be based on square feet of floor/land area as herein defined. Commercial establishments using surface area of land for storage, display and/or sales and services shall be based on square feet of area. Special enumerated fees shall be in addition to this minimum. See § 11.17.
Classification
Step
Floor/Land Area
(square feet)
Yearly Registration Fee
Office, manufacturing, retail, service storage, wholesale
1
1 to 1,500
$72
2
1,501 to 3,000
$96
3
3,001 to 6,000
$120
4
6,001 to 9,000
$144
5
9,001 to 12,000
$168
6
12,001 to 15,000
$192
7
15,001 to 20,000
$228
8
20,001 to 30,000
$270
9
30,001 to 40,000
$330
10
40,001 to 60,000
$390
11
60,001 to 80,000
$480
12
80,001 to 100,000
$570
13
100,001 to 140,000
$780
14
140,001 to 180,000
$900
15
180,001 to 220,000
$1,200
(2) 
Floor/Land area shall be calculated as herein defined in Subsection (B)(3).
[Amended 12-14-2004 by Ord. No. 15-2004; 4-25-2006 by Ord. No. 5-2006]
The following schedule of fees are the fees to be charged for all businesses or commercial establishments located or doing business in the City, whether the fees are based on the regulatory provisions of this chapter, powers granted under the Illinois Municipal Code, statutory provisions, or factors which cannot feasibly be determined on a square-foot basis. Automatic vending machine licenses, driveway permit fees, and sign fees are to be paid in addition to the square foot area or fixed annual fees. Other fee references such as driveway, sign, animal, and so forth, are included for convenience. Businesses or commercial establishments not scheduled shall be licensed on a square-foot-area basis. All solicitors and itinerant vendors must comply with Article 30 and pay the fee required in addition to other fees required herein:
1.
Alcoholic liquors (Article 2)[1]
a.
Class A
$1,200 plus square feet of area
b.
Class A-1
$240
c.
Class B
$960 plus square feet of area
d.
Class B-1
$500
e.
Class C
$1,080
f.
Class D
$1,200
g.
Temporary permits
6% alcohol or less
$6 per day
Over 6% alcohol
$6 per day
h.
Veterans permits
$1
2.
Ambulance services
a.
For each ambulance
$42
b.
For attendant or attendant driver
$42
3.
Amusements
a.
Automatic amusement devices
(1)
Jukeboxes or other musical devices
$90
(2)
Coin-operated rides
$90
(3)
Coin-operated games
$90
b.
Public places of amusement, includes circus or sideshow, commercial playground or amusement park, theater (motion-picture or dramatic) and cabaret, public dance hall, public skating rink, automobile show, balloon contest, concert, minstrel, or musical entertainment given under canvas, fireworks display, horse or dog show, rodeo and stock or poultry show not otherwise classified herein
Square feet
c.
Miniature golf courses
$300 plus square feet
4.
Animals (Chapter 17)
a.
Dogs
$5 each
b.
Cats
$5 each
5.
Animal care and sale
a.
Dealers in small animals (Chapter 17, Article 6)
$300 plus square feet
b.
Animal kennels
$120 plus square feet
c.
Veterinary hospitals (§ 17.73)
$120 plus square feet
6.
Appraisal and consultant services
$60 plus square feet
7.
Auctioneers
a.
Per day
$24
b.
Per month
$60
c.
Per year
$90
d.
In addition, per employee, not to exceed 2
$12
8.
Bakeries (Article 6)
a.
Bakery vehicles for each delivery vehicle (also itinerant vendor)
$60 plus square feet
9.
Barber shops (Article 7)
$60 plus square feet
10.
Beauty shops (sale of cosmetics)
$60 plus square feet
11.
Billiard and pool halls
$120 plus square feet
a.
For each table not coin-operated, add
$60
b.
Coin-operated, each
$90
12.
Brokers (Article 8)
a.
General brokers
$60 plus square feet
b.
Passenger ticket brokers
$60 plus square feet
13.
Businesses, occupations and commercial not otherwise classified
a.
Using stores or land area
$60 plus square foot
b.
Services only, asphalt contractors, cement contractors, general contractors, fence contractors, garage contractors, paving contractors and similar contractors, or services or contractors (all types), only having no permanent location in the City.
$90
1.
Licenses, permits or fees covered under Subsection (13)(b) shall be for the calendar year beginning January 1 and ending December 31 of the next succeeding year; provided, however, that any person applying for a license who commences business at any time subsequent to June 1 of the calendar year shall pay an amount equal to 50% of the annual fee or charge for said license or permit, which shall expire on December 31 of said calendar year.
14.
Candy vending machines
$50
15.
Carters and expressmen
$60
16.
Catering services and establishments
$90 plus square feet
17.
Car washes (other than filling stations)
a.
Automatic, each wash bay
$42
b.
Self-cleaning, each wash
$30
c.
Vacuum machines, each machine
$12
18.
Chemical and paint stores (wholesale)
$60 plus square feet
19.
Cigarette machines (Article 5)
$75
20.
Currency exchanges, for other than cashing checks or selling of money orders
$60 plus square feet
21.
Confectionery stores
$60 plus square feet
22.
Delicatessens
$90 plus square feet
23.
Detective agencies and private detectives
$60 plus square feet
24.
Dispensaries (medical) (other than licensed doctors)
$60 plus square feet
25.
Drain layers and sewer builders (Article 11)
$60
26.
Driveways (Chapter 5, Article 2)
$25 each
27.
Driving schools
$60 plus square feet
28.
Drugstores
$60 plus square feet
29.
Dry-cleaning establishments
$60 plus square feet
a.
Vending machines
$50 each
30.
Electrical contractors (if not registered in another municipality)
$60
31.
Filling stations (Article 12)
Gallonage
a.
Portable wheel tank (extra)
$9.90 each
b.
Car wash (adjunct thereto)
Square feet
c.
Automotive mechanic's bay
$100 each
32.
Finance companies
$60 plus square feet
33.
Fire extinguisher service and repair
$60 plus square feet
34.
Fish markets
$60 plus square feet
35.
Flammables and hazardous chemicals and gases - storage, sale, handling
$120 plus square feet
36.
Florists - itinerant or sale of flowers (Article 13)
$60 plus square feet
37.
Flower vending machines
$50
38.
Food dealers (Article 14)
$90 plus square feet
39.
Food delivery vehicles and mobile food dispensers (Article 15)
$60
40.
Food dispensers, retail (Article 16)
$90 plus square feet
41.
Food vending machines, coin-operated (Article 5)
a.
Candy
$50 each
b.
Soft drinks
$50 each
c.
Food [except (a) and (b)]
$50 each
d.
Not-for-profit
$1 each
42.
Fruit and vegetable stores or stands
$60 plus square feet
43.
Funeral homes and undertaking establishments
$60 plus square feet
44.
Garages (public) (Article 33)
$60 plus square feet
45.
Grocery stores
$120 plus square feet
46.
Hardware stores and paint stores (retail)
$60 plus square feet
47.
Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration contractors (not licensed by another municipality)
$60
48.
Hotels and motels (inspection fee, annual) (per accommodation unit)
$30
49.
House movers (Article 19)
$120
50.
Ice cream stores or parlors (retail)
$60 plus square feet
51.
Ice cream vendors, street (Article 20)
$42
52.
Ice manufacturers and dealers
$60 plus square feet
a.
Plus for each vehicle or vending machine operated in the course of wholesale or retail business (Article 22)
$50
53.
Itinerant merchants and transient vendors (Article 22)
$90
a.
Plus solicitor fee
$24
54.
Jewelry stores
$60 plus square feet
55.
Junk dealers and junk peddlers (Article 23)
a.
Junk peddler for each vehicle, per day
$90
b.
Plus solicitor fee
$24
56.
Laboratories
$90 plus square feet
57.
Laundries and laundry vehicles (including diaper services)
a.
Laundries (Article 24)
$60 plus square feet
b.
For each vehicle (Article 25)
$60
58.
Laundromats (self-service coin-operated machines)
Square feet
a.
Vending machines
$50 each
59.
Lumber yards and lumber storehouses
$60 plus square feet
60.
Machine shops
$60 plus square feet
61.
Meat dealers and meat markets
$90 plus square feet
62.
Motor vehicle wrecking and repair establishments (Art. 27)
$60 plus square feet
a.
Auto parts and accessories
$60 plus square feet
63.
Nursing homes and homes for the aged
$60 plus square feet
64.
Opticians - sales or manufacture of glasses only
$60 plus square feet
65.
Paint stores (Article 28)
$60 plus square feet
66.
Parking lots (Article 29) (See "Garages.")
$60 plus square feet
67.
Pawnbrokers
$60 plus square feet
68.
Peddlers (Article 30)
a.
Solicitor fee [plus (b) and (c)]
$24
b.
Operating from vehicle, each
$42
c.
No vehicle used
$24
69.
Photo shops
$60 plus square feet
70.
Photography studios
$60 plus square feet
71.
Photographers, itinerant, per day
$60
a.
Plus solicitor fee
$24
72.
Restaurants
$120 plus square feet
73.
Scavengers (Article 34)
$240
74.
Secondhand dealers
$60 plus square feet
75.
Signs (Chapter 18, Article 8)
Square feet of advertising surface
76.
Soft drink vending machines (Article 5)
$50
77.
Solid fuel and fuel oil dealers
$60 plus square feet
78.
Solicitors (Article 31) card fee
$24
a.
Duplicate card
$6
79.
Taxicabs and limousines (Article 35)
a.
For each vehicle (Article 35)
$60
b.
For each operator (Article 9)
$30
80.
Tobacco dealers
a.
Wholesale tobacco dealers
$75 plus square feet
b.
Retail vending machines (Article 5)
$75
c.
Retail tobacco dealers (Article 36)
$75 plus square feet
81.
Transfer fees (except alcoholic) (same owner same commodities - new location)
$30
82.
TV sales or repair or both
$60 plus square feet
83.
Undertakers
$60 plus square feet
84.
Variety stores
$60 plus square feet
85.
Vending machines - veterans (Article 5)
$1 each
86.
Vending machines not classified above (Article 5)
$50
87.
Wearing apparel stores (Article 39)
$60 plus square feet
88.
Wholesale provision dealers (Article 40)
$60 plus square feet
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 30, General Provisions, Art. 2).