Commercial Occupancy Permits and Business Licenses are available through the Economic Development Department.
Building, Home Occupancy and Urban Chicken 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:
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
In order to engage in the activity of a solicitor an application for a license must be completed and submitted to the office of the City Clerk.
View the City’s Solicitors Application and Regulations, Background Authorization Form, Ordinance 8068-2017 and Ordinance 9243-2023, which includes the requirements for submitting an application and the associated fees.
No Knock List Sign-Up to sign up for the No Knock List, please go to the link provided. You must post "No Solicitation" signage on your door or window to sign up on the No Knock List.
In order to engage in the activity of a peddler an application for a license must be completed and submitted to the office of the City Clerk.
View the City’s Peddlers Application and Regulations, Background Authorization Form, Ordinance 8068-2017 which includes the requirements for submitting an application and the associated fees.
The City of Belleville has, by Ordinance No. 8209-2018, 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.
After obtaining and completing an application, contact Lt. Shane Brown of the Belleville Police Department to make an appointment to have your Non-Highway Vehicle inspected. You will need your entire application for this process.
Lt Shane Brown - browns@bellevillepolice.org
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) Signed/Completed copy of the application
(2) Signed/Completed copy of the non-highway vehicle inspection form
(3) Proof of Insurance
(4) Completed Hold Harmless Indemnification Form
(5) Copy of Driver’s License of ALL operators
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.