Board-Up Service

License Overview 

A City of Chicago business license for Board-Up Services is required to place boards or other material over any opening in a building or other structure in order to protect the interior from damage or unauthorized entry. The license is also required to contract with others doing the work, or solicit contracts for board-up work.  

 

Application Requirements 

  • A debt check will be conducted as part of the application process. All City debt must be resolved for the license to be issued.
  • A fingerprint-based background check will be conducted for all controlling persons as part of the application process.

 

Required Documents 

  1. Documents required to identify the business depend on the business legal entity type. For more information, see the Required Documents page.
  2. Certificate of insurance (limits not less than $300,000).
  3. Individual History Form for all controlling persons required to be fingerprinted.
  4. Site plan for the Board Up business showing the location of offices, material storage, any storage outside the building, etc.

 

License Application Step 

  • Submit initial business information in person or online
  • Receive zoning approval from the City
  • Complete and submit a full license application
  • Get fingerprinted for a fingerprint-based background check. Every owner, corporate officer, or any person who has a 25% or more interest in the business will be prompted to get fingerprinted.
  • Make payment for the license
  • Undergo a City debt check. All City debt must be resolved for the license to be issued.
  • Receive license once all requirements are met

For more information on license application steps, see the Business License Application Steps webpage.

cost  

$250 License Fee

$40 processing fee per controlling person required to be fingerprinted

 

How to Apply 

In person: Visit the Small Business Center Visit Us webpage for wait times, location, and hours of operation.

Online: Visit the online business license application system.

 

Operating Requirements 

  • Maintain commercial general liability insurance with limits of not less than $300,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage.
  • Give the customer a written estimate of the total cost of the board-up work and any other work to be done by the board-up company before any work begins.
  • Give the customer a written invoice itemizing all work and services provided by the board-up company upon the completion of all work or services.
  • Notify the customer and obtain prior written approval before performing any work that will result in charges in excess of the amount specified in the written estimate.

 

Renewal Requirements 

A Board-Up Service license is issued for a period of two years and must be renewed prior to expiration. For renewal information, see the Renewal page.

 

Resources 

 For questions, call 312-74-GOBIZ (744-6249) or 312.744.1944, or email businesslicense@cityofchicago.org