Photography Business Permit Requirements in Chicago, IL

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees, operate as a corporation or multi-member LLC, or elect corporate tax treatment. Single-member LLCs without employees can generally use the owner's SSN instead, though many banks require an EIN to open a business account. Apply free and instantly online through the IRS website.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

2. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (drone photography)

   Commercial aerial photography with a drone requires an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107. You must be at least 16, able to read, speak, write and understand English, and in condition to fly safely. Get an FAA Tracking Number through IACRA, schedule the 'Unmanned Aircraft General - Small (UAG)' knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center, then file Form 8710-13 in IACRA. To stay current you complete a free online recurrent training course through the FAASTeam website every 24 calendar months -- there is no repeat exam or renewal fee. Most of downtown Chicago and the lakefront sit under O'Hare's Class B airspace, with Midway's Class C nearby, so nearly all commercial flights there also need an airspace authorization, obtained instantly through LAANC or by request through FAA DroneZone. The drone itself must also be registered and Remote ID compliant.

   Official government source

   $175 knowledge test fee, paid to PSI at the testing center. There is no FAA fee for the certificate itself and recurrent training is free.·A temporary certificate is issued through IACRA within a few days of passing and TSA vetting; the permanent card arrives by mail in roughly 6-8 weeks

   $175 knowledge test fee, paid to PSI at the testing center. There is no FAA fee for the certificate itself and recurrent training is free.

   A temporary certificate is issued through IACRA within a few days of passing and TSA vetting; the permanent card arrives by mail in roughly 6-8 weeks

1. Illinois Department of Revenue - Retailers' Occupation Tax (Sales Tax) Registration

   A Chicago photographer who transfers tangible items to clients -- prints, albums, canvases, framed work, flash drives -- is making retail sales and must register with the Illinois Department of Revenue, collect tax on those receipts and file returns. Photoprocessing is treated as taxable general merchandise. A photographer who delivers only digital files and charges purely for a service generally has no Retailers' Occupation Tax liability, but the treatment turns on what is transferred and how the charges are stated, so confirm your specific arrangement with IDOR. The combined general merchandise rate in Chicago is 10.500% effective August 1, 2026.

   Official government source

   No registration fee·About 1-2 business days when registering online through MyTax Illinois; 6 to 8 weeks for a mailed paper Form REG-1

   No registration fee

   About 1-2 business days when registering online through MyTax Illinois; 6 to 8 weeks for a mailed paper Form REG-1

2. Illinois Secretary of State - Business Entity Registration (if applicable)

   If you operate as an LLC or corporation, register with the Illinois Secretary of State. LLCs pay a $150 filing fee for Articles of Organization, and the LLC annual report fee is $75. Sole proprietors operating under their own legal name need no state entity registration; those using a trade name must file an Assumed Business Name registration with the county clerk (LLCs and corporations are exempt from that county filing).

   Official government source

   $150 Articles of Organization; $75 per year annual report·10 business days for a standard online filing; 24-hour expedited service costs $250 total instead of $150

   $150 Articles of Organization; $75 per year annual report

   10 business days for a standard online filing; 24-hour expedited service costs $250 total instead of $150

1. City of Chicago Limited Business License

   Every business operating in the City of Chicago requires a business license from BACP. Photography studios operating from a commercial location require a Limited Business License. Home-based photography businesses where clients do not visit still need BACP's Home Based Business (Home Occupation) license, a separate $1,000 license issued for a two-year term. Apply through Chicago Business Direct.

   Official government source

   $500 for a two-year Limited Business License (effective January 1, 2026)·BACP publishes no standard processing time; the license issues once zoning approval, the full application, and payment are complete

   $500 for a two-year Limited Business License (effective January 1, 2026)

   BACP publishes no standard processing time; the license issues once zoning approval, the full application, and payment are complete

2. Chicago Park District Media Permit (for shoots in parks)

   Commercial photography in Chicago Park District parks requires a Media Permit. Current (2026) pricing for Commercial Photography (e.g. catalog shoots) is a $35 non-refundable application fee, a $520 security deposit, and an $890 permit fee per location per date, plus proof of insurance; additional fees may apply for indoor locations. Non-commercial photography (e.g. weddings) is priced separately at $45/hour with no deposit. News media and credentialed student projects may qualify for reduced/no fees. Permits must be secured before the shoot.

   Official government source

   $35 application fee + $520 security deposit + $890 permit fee per location/date (commercial); $45/hour for non-commercial·5–10 business days

   $35 application fee + $520 security deposit + $890 permit fee per location/date (commercial); $45/hour for non-commercial

   5–10 business days

3. Cook County Assumed Name (DBA) Registration

   If your photography business operates as a sole proprietorship, general partnership, or professional service corporation under any name other than the owners' legal names, you must file an Assumed Business Name registration with the Cook County Clerk. Limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, and ordinary corporations are exempt from this county filing. Apply online, in person, or by mail; the application must be signed by the owners and notarized. You then publish a legal notice in a local newspaper and file proof of publication before the Clerk issues your Assumed Business Name Certificate.

   Official government source

   $50 registration fee, payable online by credit card or e-check, or in person or by mail by cash, check, or money order (plus the newspaper's charge for publishing the legal notice)·Publish the legal notice within 15 calendar days of the registration date, once a week for three consecutive weeks, and file the notarized Certificate of Publication with the original clipping no later than 50 days from the application date. The certificate is issued on receipt of that proof; same-day in-person certificate service is available at the Clerk's downtown Chicago office.

   $50 registration fee, payable online by credit card or e-check, or in person or by mail by cash, check, or money order (plus the newspaper's charge for publishing the legal notice)

   Publish the legal notice within 15 calendar days of the registration date, once a week for three consecutive weeks, and file the notarized Certificate of Publication with the original clipping no later than 50 days from the application date. The certificate is issued on receipt of that proof; same-day in-person certificate service is available at the Clerk's downtown Chicago office.

Official Sources

• City of Chicago — Business License Application Steps
• Chicago Park District — Filming & Photography Permits
• Illinois Department of Revenue — Photoprocessing Services Sales Tax
• Illinois Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration
• FAA — Become a Drone Pilot (Part 107)

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