License Overview 

A mobile merchant license is for the sale of goods from within a motor vehicle such as a box truck or van (trailers prohibited), where customers may enter the vehicle and the vehicle may park for up to four hours or the maximum allowable parking limit, whichever is less.

 

Related Licenses 

A food license is required for the mobile sale of food.

A Limited Business License is required for the sale of general merchandise from a brick-and-mortar location.

A Secondhand Dealer License is required for the sale of certain secondhand merchandise.

Sale of merchandise that is specifically regulated such as tobacco, fuel, or liquor requires a specialized license, and may only be sold from a brick-and-mortar location.

Application Requirements 

The mobile merchant vehicle must be a completely enclosed commercial vehicle (trailers prohibited) that is no more than thirty feet long and have no other purpose than being used as a mobile merchant business.

Required Documents 

• Documents required to identify the business depend on the business legal entity type. For more information, see the Required Documents page.
• Commercial general liability insurance with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, and commercial automobile liability insurance with limits of not less than $1,000,000.
• Plan of vehicle including the location of the carbon monoxide detector, fire detector and fire extinguisher.

 

Licensing Process 

• Submit initial business information in person or online
• Complete and submit a full license application
• Make payment for the license
• Receive license and vehicle emblem once all requirements are met.  The vehicle emblem must be displayed on the windshield.

 

Cost 

$250 License Fee

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 

• Mobile merchant vehicles cannot operate on any block for longer than the parking limit or four hours, whichever is shorter.
• Mobile merchant vehicles cannot park adjacent to a bike lane, within 20 feet of a crosswalk, or within 30 feet of an intersection.
• The mobile merchant vehicle must be a completely enclosed commercial vehicle (trailers prohibited) that is no more than thirty feet long and have no other purpose than being used as a mobile merchant business.
• Mobile merchant vehicles must be inspected and maintained at least every 90 days by a licensed professional. Copies of the last four maintenance reports must be kept in the vehicle at all times.

 

Renewal Requirements 

A Mobile Merchant 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