Skip to main content

Update New Chicago Ordinance Aimed at Encouraging, Regulating Pop-Ups


Pop-up businesses can be one way to get started.

The concept has been around for a while, but pop-ups have largely flown under the city’s radar. But this past summer, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance requiring pop-ups to get licensed, and it went into effect Dec. 3. To obtain a license, prospective pop-ups now have to provide the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection with some basic tax information and not have any outstanding fines with the city. Entrepreneurs can get anything from a five-day to a full-year license ranging in price from $25 to $150 and pop up in several different locations if they want.

The city insists the new ordinance is not intended as just one more revenue-generating measure but as a safeguard against unprofessional business practices, and they say it encourages experimentation in a new era of retail sales.


More on this story

Pop-ups operating without a license could face fines from $200 to $1,000. You can learn more about Chicago’s Pop-up Initiative here.

Keywords: Entrepreneurs, Pop ups, small businesses

Posted in Business, Housing, Economic Development

Mission

To foster and promote revitalization of the community by designing and implementing programs that improve the community’s economic viability; increase availability of quality housing to people of different income levels, while maintaining and improving existing affordable housing; and enhance delivery of social services, particularly to senior citizens.

Learn more about us »

Support us

Improve and enhance the delivery of community and economic development in Auburn Gresham, Englewood, and West Chatham.

Make a donation