Unincorporated Cook County contractor license & registration requirements

1. 1
   Completed application form

   Use the link in the sidebar.
2. 2
   Registration fee — $150.00 per trade (initial registration)

   Annual renewal $75.00 per trade ($150.00 if adding a trade or if renewal hasn't been done in a year or longer); homeowner 'General' registration free (pay for additional trades); bond recording fee $2.00 per bond (money order to Cook County Clerk).
3. 3
   License & permit bond — No general contractor bond. Trade-specific: Demolition (3 stories or less) $20,000; Demolition (4+ stories) $40,000; Demolition/Leveling $500; Sign (Billboard) $25,000; Private Sewage Disposal $10,000; Restoration performance bonds $10,000; Wireless facilities $20,000

   Obligee: Cook County
4. 4
   Certificate of insurance

   $1,000,000 General Liability, naming Cook County Building and Zoning, 69 W. Washington, Suite 2830, Chicago, IL 60602 as Certificate Holder (homeowners: as additional insured)
5. 5
   Workers' compensationconfirm by phone

   not published
6. 6
   Trade credentials

   Owner or corporate officer must apply in person (affidavit); Articles of Incorporation or current Annual Domestic Report (firms/corps/LLCs); FEIN; Declaration of Child Support Obligations form; proof of current IL State License for Roofing and Tank trades; Electrical: supervising electrician's license, driver's license, signed affidavit, corporate standing proof; Plumbing: State plumbing license, Chicago journeyman plumber's license, three recent installations and three business references; Crane operators: certification and notarized affidavit.
7. 7
   Submit: In person (initial) / mail, email or online (renewal)

   Initial application affidavit: owner/corporate officer 'IN PERSON' (2020 form), payment by check or money order to Cook County Collector. Renewal/amendment: mail to 69 W Washington #2830, email to cr.bnz@cookcountyil.gov, or pay online. Web page states registration is 'available online' for all trades and homeowners.

   Portal: Cook County B&Z contractor portal

License term (as published)

Annual; renewal fee 'due by December 31 each year' (calendar-year renewal cycle). Registrations not renewed in 2+ years must contact the Department.

Expiry model

Calendar year — everyone expires Dec 31. Next: Dec 31, 2026

Renewal window / late fees

Annual renewal $75/trade due by December 31; if not renewed in a year or longer the $150 rate applies; no late fee published

General contractor fee

$150.00 per trade (initial registration)

Subcontractor / trade fee

$150.00 per trade (no separate sub rate; each trade registered separately)

Other fees & penalties

Annual renewal $75.00 per trade ($150.00 if adding a trade or if renewal hasn't been done in a year or longer); homeowner 'General' registration free (pay for additional trades); bond recording fee $2.00 per bond (money order to Cook County Clerk).

Bond

No general contractor bond. Trade-specific: Demolition (3 stories or less) $20,000; Demolition (4+ stories) $40,000; Demolition/Leveling $500; Sign (Billboard) $25,000; Private Sewage Disposal $10,000; Restoration performance bonds $10,000; Wireless facilities $20,000

Bond payee / obligee

Cook County

Liability insurance minimum

$1,000,000 General Liability, naming Cook County Building and Zoning, 69 W. Washington, Suite 2830, Chicago, IL 60602 as Certificate Holder (homeowners: as additional insured)

Workers' compensation

not published

Other requirements

Owner or corporate officer must apply in person (affidavit); Articles of Incorporation or current Annual Domestic Report (firms/corps/LLCs); FEIN; Declaration of Child Support Obligations form; proof of current IL State License for Roofing and Tank trades; Electrical: supervising electrician's license, driver's license, signed affidavit, corporate standing proof; Plumbing: State plumbing license, Chicago journeyman plumber's license, three recent installations and three business references; Crane operators: certification and notarized affidavit.

Trades covered

'All contractors performing work in unincorporated Cook County are required to register' – 25 trade categories (General, Carpentry, HVAC, Roofing, Masonry, Drywall, Electrical, Plumbing, Demolition, Sign, Tank, Crane Operators, etc.); homeowners doing own work must also register (free 'General').

Fees are per trade, so a GC who also does roofing pays twice. Registration required per Sec. 5.4-3 of Cook County Building Code. County publishes a searchable registered-contractor list. Portal (bzpermits) was redirecting to a maintenance page during research.