Gas Station (Filling Station)

License Overview

A City of Chicago Filling Station license is required for any establishment where vehicles are refueled (a gas station).

Any other activity conducted at a gas station besides refueling vehicles must be separately licensed.

A Retail Food Establishment license is required for the storage, preparation, or sale of food.
A Package Goods license is required for the sale of packaged liquor.
A Tobacco license is required for the sale of tobacco products.
The repair of vehicles requires a Motor Vehicle Repair license.
A Commercial Garage license is required for any building or location where four or more vehicles are parked for a fee.

A debt check will be conducted as part of the application process. All City debt must be resolved for the license to be issued.
An inspection of the premises will be conducted by the Chicago Fire Department

Documents required to identify the business depend on the business legal entity type. For more information, see the Required Documents page.
Driveway Release Letter from CDOT for any driveways leading from the public way to the premises
Diagram of the facility including the location of any tire storage area
A statement specifying the capacity of every fuel container or tank at the gas station must be included in the application.

Submit initial business information in person or online
Receive zoning approval from the City
Complete and submit a full license application
Make payment for the license
Undergo a City debt check. All City debt must be resolved for the license to be issued.
Undergo inspection from the Chicago Fire Department.
Receive license once all requirements are met

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

$220 per location/ establishment plus $0.12 per gallon of capacity for containers and tanks

$110 per portable tank

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

An attendant must be present to supervise self-service gas pumps at all times.
Smoking is prohibited at filling stations
A filling station must provide at least one public restroom that is open to customers at all times that the business is open.
No outside tire storage is allowed

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

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