Chicago Bulk Sales Notice (Department of Finance) — buying an existing restaurant: Chicago restaurant guide
Chicago Department of Finance — Tax Division
What it is
When a business or its major assets (anything that needs city licensing or tax filing) is sold or transferred, a Bulk Sales Notice must reach the Department of Finance at least 45 days before the sale. Without it the buyer becomes jointly liable for the seller's unpaid city taxes.
When a restaurant needs it
Only if you are buying an existing restaurant, its equipment or its licenses (an asset purchase), under Municipal Code 3-4-140.
How to apply
Either the seller or the buyer e-mails the completed Bulk Sales Notification Form, a copy of the sales contract and supporting documents to bulksales@cityofchicago.org (add a Power of Attorney if a lawyer files).
Documents you’ll need
- Bulk Sales Notification Form
- Sales contract
- Power of Attorney (if represented)
Good to know
City debt of any kind (unpaid taxes, tickets, water bills) also blocks the issuance of your own licenses, so clear the seller's debts in the purchase agreement.
Official source
Finance — file a Bulk Sales Notice · Finance — forms (Bulk Sales Notification Form)
Answer a few questions about your space and get every permit in order, with a timeline, a cost range, walkthroughs, and every application filled in for you to sign with Open.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.