Handyman License Requirements in Palos Heights, IL
Palos Heights: all contractors doing work within the City must hold a City Contractor License (Building / Code Enforcement Dept): General Contractor $200, Subcontractor $100, $20,000 trade-specific bond, $500,000+ GL & workers' comp certificate naming the City; valid one year; no permits until registered. Plumbing/alarm/elevator contractors only provide state license. A separate City business license applies to businesses located in Palos Heights.
Palos Heights requirements
Palos Heights: all contractors doing work within the City must hold a City Contractor License (Building / Code Enforcement Dept): General Contractor $200, Subcontractor $100, $20,000 trade-specific bond, $500,000+ GL & workers' comp certificate naming the City; valid one year; no permits until registered. Plumbing/alarm/elevator contractors only provide state license. A separate City business license applies to businesses located in Palos Heights.
Source link: palosheights.org · palosheights.org · palosheights.org · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
Depends
- Name: City of Palos Heights Business License
- Applies when: CONDITIONAL
"the undersigned herewith makes this application for license to conduct such business as is hereafter designated on the City of Palos Heights"
Source: palosheights.org · checked November 2, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
Required
- Name: City of Palos Heights Contractor License/Registration
- Trigger: All contractors doing work within the City; permits not issued until registered. General Contractors $200, Subcontractors $100; $20,000 trade-specific bond; GL & workers' comp $500,000+ with City as certificate holder; expires one year from issuance
"All contractors doing work within the City of Palos Heights must be registered with the City. Contractor licenses expire one year from the date of issuance. ... General Contractors $200, Subcontractors $100 $20,000 Trade Specific Bond"
Source: palosheights.org · checked November 2, 2026
County: Cook County
The Illinois rule
Regulator: None for general contracting. Trades: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) - roofing contractors; Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) - plumbers/plumbing contractors. HRRA enforced via Consumer Fraud Act (Attorney General / private action).
No license threshold. HRRA Sec. 10: definition excludes 'maintenance, service, or repairs under $500'. Sec. 15: written contract/work order required 'Prior to initiating home repair or remodeling work for over $1,000'. Sec. 20: consumer-rights pamphlet for all contracts; signed acknowledgment only for contracts 'over $1,000' ('$1,000 or under' = pamphlet, no acknowledgment).
What counts toward it: other: no licensing threshold. HRRA contract rules: written contract required for work 'over $1,000' (total cost incl. parts and materials); 'home repair and remodeling' definition excludes 'maintenance, service, or repairs under $500'.
""Home repair and remodeling" means the fixing, replacing, altering, converting, modernizing, improving, or making of an addition to any real property primarily designed or used as a residence other than maintenance, service, or repairs under $500."
State registration
No state GC registration. Plumbing contractors register with IDPH under 225 ILCS 320. Roofing contractors licensed by IDFPR (no handyman/small-job carve-out verified).
Source: dph.illinois.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Forming an LLC in Illinois
State filing fee: $150.
Source: ilsos.gov · checked November 2, 2026
What to do, in order
- Read the Illinois rule and confirm with None for general contracting. Trades: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) - roofing contractors; Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) - plumbers/plumbing contractors. HRRA enforced via Consumer Fraud Act (Attorney General / private action)..
- Line up the Palos Heights items listed on this page.
- Get your insurance and rate in place before the first paid job.
Nearby places
Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.
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