To ensure the City of Harvey maintains a suitable business district consistent with City Zoning Ordinances, before applying for a City of Harvey Operational License, all entities are required to apply for ZONING CLEARANCE. This includes but is not limited to trade professionals, day care facilities, places of worship, and home-based businesses. The steps below outline the Operational License process.  Please review and follow each step for consideration and compliance. All questions regarding Operational Licenses should be directed to the Building Department by emailing planning@cityofharveyil.gov.

STEP 1:  Apply for zoning clearance. CLICK HERE 

NOTE: Download, Complete, Save, and Email to planningandzoning@cityofharveyil.gov. APPROVAL REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR AN OPERATIONAL LICENSE. Should you have any questions regarding your zoning application, please email Cesar Suarez at planningandzoning@cityofharveyil.gov.

STEP 2:  Pay Operational License Application Fee ($150).  CLICK HERE  

NOTE: This fee must be paid prior to submitting an Operational License Application.  Confirmation of receipt shall be sent to the email address provided. All payments are non-refundable, and a 3% convenience fee tax shall be added to each transaction. DO NOT PAY IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN APPROVED ZONING CLEARANCE FORM.

STEP 3: Complete Operational License application. CLICK HERE 

NOTE: Download, Complete, Save, and Email your application with copies of the required documents listed below attached to planning@cityofharveyil.gov.  All documents must be valid and submitted together, or your application will be denied. Documents will be reviewed, and a decision made for pre-approval.

• Applicant’s valid photo ID
• One-page conceptual plan
• Computer generated floor plan
• Approved Zoning Clearance Form

STEP 4:  Pay applicable outstanding fees (Amount TBD). (CLICK HERE TO PAY FEE)

NOTE: A notice with a tally of applicable Inspection and License fees shall be sent to the email address provided in the application to request payment in full. All payments are non-refundable, and a 3% convenience fee tax shall be added to each transaction.

STEP 5:  Check your email for payment confirmation and copy the transaction # required for step 6.

STEP 6:  Provide additional required applicable documents listed below by email to planning@cityofharveyil.gov.   

NOTE: The subject of your email should be your business Name – Payment Confirmation Transaction # (ex: ABC Business Inc. – 00000000-0000).  All documents must be valid and submitted together, or your application will be denied. Documents will be reviewed, and a decision made for final approval.

• Proof of liability Insurance
• Proof of property occupancy (Lease or Deed)
• State License (if applicable)
• Sanitation License (if applicable)

STEP 7: Inspections take place.

STEP 8: Operational License Issued.

NOTE: Upon approval of all required documents, payment of all required fees, and passing of all required inspections, the Operational License will be sent by email to the address provided in the application. All issued Operational Licenses must be printed and always visibly displayed at your establishment.

The renewal process applies to all Businesses and Places of Worship seeking to operate within Harvey city limits.  The process eliminates in-person submissions for applications, required documents, and payments. Additionally, the city will now issue an “Operational License” for all approved applications via email that can be conveniently printed and visibly displayed for public viewing in accordance with ordinance 5-02-030.

While the approval of renewal applications remains conditional upon compliance with the applicable City Codes, Ordinances, State and Federal Laws, be advised it’s now driven by the deadline to meet all inspection requirements and the deadline to submit your renewal application by MARCH 31st.

BEFORE STARTING THE RENEWAL PROCESS, ALL BUSINESSES AND PLACES OF WORSHIP MUST submit payment for a Public Safety and Fire Inspection. Additionally, if you manufacture, sell or distribute products that can be consumed by humans (i.e. Restaurants, Daycares, Retail Stores), payment for two (2) Health Inspections is also required to be compliant with all Food and Drug Administration standards.

INSPECTION FEES (NON-REFUNDABLE)

• Public Safety:          $150 | $100 (re-inspection)
• Fire:                         $100 | $50 (re-inspection)
• Health (1st & 2nd): $300 ($150 x 2) | $100 (re-inspections)
  Note: Heath Inspections shall be performed twice a year by certified Health Inspectors. However, penalties to include daily fines and cease and desist orders shall be enforced by the City for noncompliance of any violations identified.

HOW TO COMPLY WITH INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS
Successfully submit payment of applicable fees by following steps below:

• Pay 2025-2026 fiscal year INSPECTIONS FEES. [CLICK HERE] 

Once on the payment form, follow the steps below:

1. Select the up arrow to input “1” by the appropriate inspections required.
2. Provide the required information.
3. Select Pay Now (email confirmation shall be sent).
4. Check email to copy payment confirmation transaction number (required for field in renewal application).
5. City Inspectors will be dispatched for Public Safety and Fire Inspections:

HOW TO COMPLETE THE RENEWAL APPLICATION (DESKTOP RECOMMENDED)

Once all applicable inspection fees have been paid the renewal application can be completed. NOTE: To allow ample time for processing, applications will not be accepted after MARCH 31st.

CLICK HERE to open the application. Once on the form, follow the steps below:

1. Provide the required information.
2. Upload the required documents.
3. Pay the $150 non-refundable application fee.
   a. Provide required payment information (email confirmation shall be sent with the transaction number required for step #4 below).
   b. Copy the transaction number from the emailed receipt.
   c. Return to the application and paste the payment transaction number in the appropriate field.
   d. Check boxes to consent and sign the application.
   e. Review all information before continuing to ensure the information provided and documents uploaded are accurate, valid, current, legible, and meet all requirements. Failure to do so may prevent your application from being approved by April 30^th and, per city ordinance 5-02-010, a Cease-and-Desist order and fine of $2500 per day may be issued should you continue to operate without a valid Operational License.
   f. Click SUBMIT – Status updates shall be emailed to the email address provided in the application
4. Await document review.
         a. If all requirements are met:
   • • A payment link for applicable license fee(s) will be sent to the email address provided (SEE REQUIRED FEES BELOW). Payment must be received within three (3) business days, or the application will be closed by default and a new application and application fee shall be required.
     • Once full payment is confirmed, the application will be approved, and the Operational License will be sent to the email provided and must be visibly displayed for public viewing in accordance with ordinance 5-02-030.

b. If all requirements are not met:

• • • The application will be denied, and a new renewal application and application fee will be required to continue operating within Harvey city limits.

REQUIRED FEES (NON-REFUNDABLE)

• Application Fee: $150
• Operational License Fee: Varies Click Here
• Additional License Fees:

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

All applicants must provide:

• Valid Photo ID (owner or authorized agent)
• Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Proof of Liability Insurance (Lease or Deed)
• State License (if applicable)
• Sanitation License (if applicable)

Additional Requirements for DAYCARES (Center and Homebase):

• DCFS License
• Sanitation License
• Safety Plan

Additional Requirements for FOOD VENDORS:

• Illinois Department of Revenue Account ID
• $350,000 liability insurance coverage
• Sanitation License

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

• February 28^th      Payment for Inspections is required by this date.
• March 31^st         Applications not submitted by this date shall be denied.
• April 30^th           Applications not approved by this date shall be denied.

MOST COMMON DENIAL REASONS – However, should your application be denied for ANY reason, a new renewal application and application fee shall be required should you wish to continue operating within Harvey City limits.

• Applicant must be the Owner or Authorized Agent.
• The owner must provide a domicile address or the corporate address.
• The owner’s address MAY NOT be the same as the business address.
• The name on Photo ID must match Owner or Authorized Agent name.
• The applicant signature must match Owner or Authorized Agent name.
• Emergency contact MAY NOT be the Owner or Authorized Agent.
• Did not provide ALL PIN numbers associated with the property address as recorded with Cook County Accessors Office.
• You manufacture, sell or distribute products that can be consumed by humans and did not pay for required Health Inspections.
• Required documents are invalid (expired dates, incorrect names etc.).
• Incorrect or illegible documents were uploaded.
• Delinquent Property Taxes.
• Unpaid City Debt (Tickets, Taxes, Past Due Water Bills).
• Unpaid Settlement Agreement.
• Failed to make full payment for required fees.
• Data entry errors.
• Paid for incorrect inspection type (NOTE: Payment is NON-REFUNDABLE and cannot be applied to another or future payment).
• Paid for an inspection type not required (NOTE: Payment is NON-REFUNDABLE and cannot be applied to another or future payment).
• Partial payments (NOTE:  Payment is NON-REFUNABLE and cannot be applied to another or future payment).

• INSPECTION. CLICK HERE 
• RE-INSPECTION. CLICK HERE