Before the lease or purchase of a property, you should confirm the zoning and make sure that your business is a permitted use in the zoning district. If not, you may need to consider another location. For additional information, please contact the Planning & Zoning Office at 630-530-3100. Once you decide on a location, you will need to work with the City's Building Department to apply for a Certificate of Occupancy and/or Building Permit. An occupancy permit is required in order to open your business. A building permit will be required if you plan to renovate or make changes to the property. Although the application and fee information is available online, Building Department personnel are available to discuss your project at 630-530-3030. The process will require inspections of your Elmhurst business location so you may want to contact the Building Department before you have signed a lease. The building permit application requires submission of 3 sets of drawings and plats of survey for your business location. (Although a plat of survey may not be required for interior remodeling work only.) For any significant renovation, a licensed architect must do the drawings. Also, all contractors and subcontractors must be licensed and bonded by the City of Elmhurst. A Building Permit will be required if you plan to make changes or renovate the building. To obtain the building permit application, it is recommended that you come to the City Hall Building Department to discuss your project. The Building Permit application and fee information are available on the City’s website at www.elmhurst.org under Community Development Department. If you have questions, please call the Building Department at 630-530-3030. A Business Registration/Business License must be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office when:
Basic registration of a business is $25.00. Some types of businesses such as food establishments require additional licenses. The Registration application is available on the City’s website at www.elmhurst.org under City Clerk’s Office, and Forms. Business registration must be renewed annually by April 30. A business operating out of the home is not required to register with the City. If you have questions, or would like to get the registration packet, please call the Clerk’s Office at 630-530-3015. In order to obtain a Liquor License a request must be approved by the Mayor and the Elmhurst City Council. This process includes providing detailed information about the business and requires that background checks be conducted on the owners and liquor managers for the business. The background checks can take up to three months and cost $600.00 per person (non-refundable). Additional information about this process should be obtained from the Elmhurst City Clerk’s Office at 630-530-3015. Restaurants or food related businesses have additional requirements through the County of DuPage. Contact the DuPage County Health Department for information about their review and inspection process. www.dupagehealth.org/safefood/ or 630-682-7979 ext. 7046. |