Effective July 1, 2017
4-232-080 Operating Procedures:
(g) Within the Central Business District as defined in Section 9-4-010 of Chapter 9-4 of the Municipal Code of Chicago, a valet parking operator for a business establishment shall only operate at that establishment during the time the establishment location is physically open, except that it may operate: (i) 1/2 hour before such establishment location opens; and (ii) 1/2 hour after such establishment location closes or until all vehicles parked by the valet parking operator while the establishment was open are returned to their drivers, whichever occurs later.
Failure to adhere to this amendment is a violation of the municipal code and may result in citations and fines issued to the licensed Valet Operator.
All Valet Parking Operator business license applications and communications are processed at the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection’s “Small Business Center” located at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street, Room 800. Valet Parking Operator Licenses will no longer be accepted, transacted or processed at 2350 W. Ogden.
A Valet Parking Operator license is required for any “valet parking service”.
“Valet parking operator” means a person who employs one or more attendants for the purpose of providing a valet parking service or who contracts his own services, but not in the capacity of employee, to any business establishment, for the purpose of providing a valet parking service to such establishment.
“Valet parking service” means a parking service provided to accommodate patrons of any business establishment, which service is incidental to the business of the establishment and by which an attendant on behalf of the establishment takes temporary custody of the patrons’ motor vehicle and moves, parks, stores or retrieves the vehicle for the patrons’ convenience.
A separate Valet Parking Operator license is required for every location.
When is a Valet Parking Operator License NOT required?
A license is NOT required for any business establishment that provides patron parking entirely and solely on its premises or to any hotel that provides parking entirely on its premises for guests or for patrons of business establishments located on the hotel’s premises.
However, a valet parking operator license shall be required when the vehicle or the keys to the vehicle are given to the valet parking attendant on any part of the public way, even if the actual parking of the vehicle is done entirely and solely on the establishment’s premises.
License Requirements:
In order to maintain and/or apply for a 2016 Valet Parking Operator business license(s), you will be required to submit a business license application packet for each operating legal entity and meet with a “Small Business Center” representative for processing. Please adhere to the following requirements to properly submit your completed business license application packet.
Valet Parking Operator business license packet submission requirements:
Valet Parking Ordinance:
Chicago businesses must comply with all relevant federal, state, and City laws and rules. All laws and rules of the City of Chicago including the Consumer Protection Law and Rules, are accessible to the public using the following link:
Valet Parking Operator Ordinance – MCC 4-232-50
How do I apply?
You may apply in-person at BACP’s Small Business Center, 121 North LaSalle Street, Room 800.