Permits & Licenses

Commercial Occupancy Permits and Business Licenses are available through the Economic Development Department.
  
Building Permits and Home Occupancy Permits are available through the Health, Housing and Building Department.

All other Permits and Licenses are available through the office of the City Clerk, including the following:

Business License Application

The City of Belleville does not require every business to have a general business license. However, there are specific businesses which do require a license or permit. Refer to the list that is attached to the application for businesses that the City licenses. If you feel you need a specific license and do not see on the list, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 618-233-6810.  Business License Application

Garage & Yard Sale Permits

Permits are required for Garage Sales & Yard Sales within the corporate city limits of Belleville. To obtain a Garage & Yard Sale Permit, please visit the office of the City Clerk, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Regulations can be found in Title XI: Chapter 113, Section 113.060 Permit Required: Exceptions of the City Code of Ordinances which is summarized below. 

  • Permits cost $5 each
  • Permits are only good for the premises shown on the permit
  • Permit holders must be the occupant of the premises
  • Permits are non-transferrable
  • Permits must be posted in a visible location
  • Permit holder is allowed a maximum of three (3) permits per year
  • Permits are limited to 3 consecutive days from 7:30am to 5:00pm
  • Permits will not be issued if applicant is indebted to the City

Home Kitchen Operation

The City of Belleville passed Ordinance 8024-2017 on March 21, 2017, to allow for Home Kitchen Operations as adopted from the provisions of the Good Handling Regulation and Enforcement Act (410 ILCS 625/1 et seq.).  All Applicants must follow Section 4 of the Act for the direct sale of baked goods as described.  Additionally, all applicants must obtain an annual Food License and Home Occupation License.

No person shall sell meats, bread, bakery goods, fruit, fish, poultry, candy, ice cream, cheese, lard or other provisions or any or either of them at a store, stand or place in the city without a license. The license fee is $50 per year.

This section shall not apply to farmers or gardeners selling the produce of their farms and gardens, nor to itinerant merchants, mobile commerce vendors, peddlers and solicitors under Chapter 115 of this code.

House Bill 5354

St. Clair County Health Department Fact Sheet

City of Belleville Business License Application

Home Occupation Application

Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act

Itinerant Merchant License

The City of Belleville currently permits Itinerant Merchants to operate within the city as stated in  Ordinance 8068-2017. This vendor must be on private property, not on any public property (sidewalk, street, or park), and must be in a building or enclosed structure.  

This license will require an annual Commercial Occupancy Permit ($100.00) and an Itinerant Merchant License ($100.00).

View the City’s Itinerant Merchant Application and Regulations and Ordinance 8068-2017, which includes the requirements for submitting an application and the associated fees.

Individuals interested in applying for a mobile vendor permit should contact the City Clerk’s Office at 618-233-6810.

Mobile Vendor License

The City of Belleville currently permits mobile food vendors and mobile boutique trucks to operate on private property and on property outside of the special service area (downtown), according to Ordinance 8068-2017. Before applying for a permit, mobile vendors must contact the St. Clair County Health Department at 618-233-7769.

View the City’s Mobile Vendor Application and Regulations and Ordinance 8068-2017 regarding the requirements for applying for a Mobile Vendor License.

Food Truck Fact Sheet

St. Clair County Health Department Food Truck Event Guidelines

Non-Highway Vehicle Permit

The City of Belleville has, by Ordinance,  authorized the operation of certain qualified non-highway vehicles on City streets as permitted by 625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1 (D) for residents within the corporate limits of Belleville.

All qualified non-highway vehicles must have certain equipment and must be registered with and licensed by the City of Belleville.

It is incumbent upon the citizen to carefully read the ordinance governing non-highway vehicles. All rules and regulations will be strictly adhered to and enforced.

A permit is valid for one (1) Non-highway vehicle from May 1 through April 30 of the following year. The cost of the permit shall be $30.00. Permits shall expire on April 30th of each year. A permit purchased after October 31 shall have a pro-rated cost of $15.00.

Applications, Inspection Forms, and Hold Harmless Agreements can be downloaded and printed from the City’s website (below), or a packet of all the required documentation can be picked up at the City Clerk’s Office located at 101 South Illinois Street.

There is a $30.00 annual registration form and license fee. 

Ordinance

Non-Highway Vehicle Permit Application, Inspection Form, and Hold-Harmless Indemnification Agreement 

After obtaining and completing an application, contact the Belleville Police Department’s Traffic Division to make an appointment to have your non-highway vehicle inspected. You will need your entire application for this process. Traffic Division contacts:

MSgt. Rob Rust 618-355-9768

Det. Robert Wallace 618-355-9767

After your inspection, it falls upon the permit holder to ensure the non-highway vehicle remains in compliance with Ordinance 8209-2018 and those parameters provided in the inspection. Please note: NHVs do not require annual inspections by the Belleville Police Department if an initial inspection is on file with the City Clerk's Office. 

After your successful inspection, you will then take your completed application with all required documentation to the City Clerk’s Office for final approval. The City Clerk’s office will need the following documents from potential applicants:

      (1)   Name and address of applicant.

      (2)   Name of liability insurance carrier and insurance policy number.

      (3)   The serial number, make, model and description of the non-highway vehicle.

      (4)   Signed waiver of liability by applicant releasing the city and agreeing to indemnify and hold the city harmless from any and all future claims resulting from the operation of applicant's non-highway vehicle on the city streets.

      (5)   Photocopy of applicable liability insurance coverage card, specifically for the non-highway vehicle to be operated pursuant to the permit.

      (6) A physically handicapped applicant must submit a certificate signed by a physician, certifying that the applicant is able to safely operate a qualified non-highway vehicle on city streets.  

     (7)  Such other information as the city may require. 

Peddlers/Solicitors Licenses

In order to engage in the activity of a peddler, solicitor, or itinerant merchant, an application for a license must be completed and submitted to the office of the City Clerk.

View the City’s Peddlers/Solicitors Application and Regulations, Background Authorization Form and Ordinance 8068-2017, which includes the requirements for submitting an application and the associated fees.

View the City’s Approved Solicitors

Queen of Hearts Raffle Licenses

Organizations wanting to operate a Queen of Hearts Raffle in the City must obtain a license and comply with the city code regarding raffles. Completed applications should be returned to the office of the City Clerk.

View the City’s Queen of Hearts Raffle License Application and Regulations.

Raffle Licenses

Organizations wanting to operate a raffle in the City must obtain a license and comply with the city code regarding raffles. Completed applications should be returned to the office of the City Clerk.

View the City’s Raffle License Application and Regulations.

Video Gaming Terminal License

Any establishment within the City which is licensed to sell alcohol and has obtained a license to operate a video gaming terminal from the Illinois Gaming Board at such premises shall be required to obtain a video gaming license sticker from the city for each video gaming terminal. 

Annual city video gaming license sticker fees are $200 for each video gaming terminal at the premises; provided, however, that such fee shall increase to $250 for each video gaming terminal at the premises, effective April 1, 2019.  All licenses expire on April 30th.

Video Gaming Terminal Operator License

Any terminal operator of video gaming terminal(s) shall apply for an annual video gaming terminal operator license on an application form provided and pay a fee of $500 for each establishment where such video gaming terminal(s) is/are located. All licenses expire on April 30th.

View the City’s Video Gaming Terminal Operator Application.