Auto Repair Shop Permit Requirements in Chicago, IL

1. Hazardous Waste Generator Notification / EPA ID Number (via Illinois EPA)

   An auto repair shop that generates hazardous waste -- solvents, parts washer waste, spent antifreeze, contaminated absorbents -- must notify of its hazardous waste activity and obtain an EPA identification number, filed on EPA Form 8700-12 with the Illinois EPA, which runs the authorized RCRA program in Illinois. Your obligations depend on your generator category: a Very Small Quantity Generator produces 100 kilograms or less of hazardous waste per month (or 1 kg or less of acutely hazardous waste) and may never accumulate more than 1,000 kg on site; a Small Quantity Generator produces more than 100 but less than 1,000 kg per month and must meet manifest, 180-day accumulation, container and preparedness requirements. Most small independent repair shops fall in the VSQG tier. Used oil is regulated under separate used-oil standards rather than as hazardous waste.

   Official government source

   No fee to notify or to obtain an EPA ID number. Disposal and hauling are charged by your licensed waste vendor.·Typically 2-4 weeks to receive the EPA ID number after filing Form 8700-12

   No fee to notify or to obtain an EPA ID number. Disposal and hauling are charged by your licensed waste vendor.

   Typically 2-4 weeks to receive the EPA ID number after filing Form 8700-12

2. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Illinois Business Registration (Secretary of State)

   LLCs, corporations, LPs, and LLPs must register with the Illinois Secretary of State (general partnerships do not need state entity registration). Sole proprietors using a trade name must file an Assumed Name Certificate with the Cook County Clerk ($50 flat fee). There is no separate state-level auto repair shop license in Illinois beyond local city licensing.

   Official government source

   $150 (LLC Articles of Organization or Domestic Corporation Articles of Incorporation)·Up to 10 business days for standard online filing; 24-hour expedited service available for an additional $100

   $150 (LLC Articles of Organization or Domestic Corporation Articles of Incorporation)

   Up to 10 business days for standard online filing; 24-hour expedited service available for an additional $100

2. Illinois Sales Tax Registration (Retailers' Occupation Tax)

   Auto repair shops must register with the Illinois Department of Revenue and collect tax on parts transferred to customers; separately stated repair labor is not taxable in Illinois. The state rate is 6.25%, and Chicago's combined rate is 10.50% effective August 1, 2026 (up from 10.25%). Register online through MyTax Illinois or by filing Form REG-1.

   Official government source

   Free (no IDOR registration fee)·About 1-2 business days for a registration submitted online through MyTax Illinois; four to six weeks for a mailed paper Form REG-1

   Free (no IDOR registration fee)

   About 1-2 business days for a registration submitted online through MyTax Illinois; four to six weeks for a mailed paper Form REG-1

3. EPA Clean Air Act Section 609 Certification (motor vehicle A/C)

   Clean Air Act Section 609 requires that any person who repairs or services a motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) system for payment be trained and certified by an EPA-approved program. Certification is per technician, does not expire, and is earned by passing an open-book test offered by an EPA-approved organization. Section 609 also requires the shop to use refrigerant handling (recovery/recycling) equipment certified by EPA or an independent standards testing organization. Section 608 requirements can also apply where the two programs overlap.

   Official government source

   No EPA fee. Each EPA-approved training and certification program sets its own price for the course and test.·Immediate -- most approved programs are open-book and self-paced, with the certificate issued on passing

   No EPA fee. Each EPA-approved training and certification program sets its own price for the course and test.

   Immediate -- most approved programs are open-book and self-paced, with the certificate issued on passing

1. Chicago Motor Vehicle Repair (Vehicle Repair) License

   Chicago requires a Motor Vehicle Repair license for any location that repairs vehicles, replaces parts, diagnoses malfunctions, or stores/alters/disposes of/repairs tires. There is a single license type (no separate classes). Requirements include a facility floor plan showing dimensions and off-street parking (two spaces per repair bay or per 300 sq ft of service area, whichever is greater), a tire disposal contract if applicable, and — for spray booths — a CDPH environmental permit. The license is valid for two years.

   Official government source

   $250 license fee (two-year term)·4–8 weeks (includes plan review and inspection)

   $250 license fee (two-year term)

   4–8 weeks (includes plan review and inspection)

2. Chicago Zoning Approval and Building Permit (auto repair shop)

   A motor vehicle repair shop must be at a location whose zoning district permits vehicle repair. Zoning approval is a required step in the City of Chicago business license application itself, so confirm the site before signing a lease. Any construction or build-out of the facility also requires a permit from the Chicago Department of Buildings. Related approvals commonly needed for a repair shop include a driveway release letter from CDOT for driveways off the public way and an Environment Permit from the Chicago Department of Public Health for any spray booth used for auto-body work.

   Official government source

   Building permit fees are calculated from the 2026 Amended Building Permit Fee Tables (effective January 6, 2026) using occupancy classification, construction type, area of work and scope of review; use the city's online permit fee calculator. A minimum fee of $602 applies to all permits, rising to $900, $1,800, $2,450 or $3,650 depending on scope. Zoning review itself is part of the license application.·Zoning approval is handled within the license application; building permits run from days (Express Permit) to roughly 4-10 weeks for standard review

   Building permit fees are calculated from the 2026 Amended Building Permit Fee Tables (effective January 6, 2026) using occupancy classification, construction type, area of work and scope of review; use the city's online permit fee calculator. A minimum fee of $602 applies to all permits, rising to $900, $1,800, $2,450 or $3,650 depending on scope. Zoning review itself is part of the license application.

   Zoning approval is handled within the license application; building permits run from days (Express Permit) to roughly 4-10 weeks for standard review

3. Chicago Fire Department Inspection (only if more than 100 tires on site)

   A Chicago Fire Department inspection is not a standard step for every auto repair shop. In the Motor Vehicle Repair license application, the city requires an inspection by the Fire Department only if more than 100 tires are stored, altered, disposed of or replaced at any one time. Any licensee that stores, alters, disposes of or replaces tires must also keep a tire disposal contract on file. Auto-body operations with a spray booth need a separate Environment Permit from the Chicago Department of Public Health, and driveways from the public way need a CDOT driveway release letter.

   Official government source

   No separate fee; included in the $250 two-year Motor Vehicle Repair license·Scheduled during the license application; typically 1-3 weeks when required

   No separate fee; included in the $250 two-year Motor Vehicle Repair license

   Scheduled during the license application; typically 1-3 weeks when required

4. Illinois EPA Hazardous Waste Registration

   Chicago auto repair shops generating used oil, antifreeze, and solvents must comply with Illinois EPA hazardous waste regulations; obligations depend on which generator category (by monthly waste volume) the shop falls into. Notifying Illinois EPA and obtaining an EPA generator ID (if required for your category) is typically free. Paint booths require a separate Illinois EPA air permit, which may carry its own fee -- confirm current requirements and any fees with Illinois EPA.

   Official government source

   fees vary by activity; generator notification is typically free -- confirm with Illinois EPA·2–6 weeks

   fees vary by activity; generator notification is typically free -- confirm with Illinois EPA

   2–6 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Chicago — Vehicle Repair Business Licensing
• Illinois EPA — Automotive Repair Shops
• City of Chicago — Motor Vehicle Repair License Fact Sheet

Related Guides