Getting Started…
This brochure is intended to assist potential
business owners who are looking to establish a business in Westfield, NJ.
It is designed to direct business owners through the
necessary steps needed to open a business but is not intended to be a
substitute for local zoning and building code information.
Important Contact Information is located below.
New business ambassadors, as volunteers through the Downtown
Westfield Corporation are available to direct you in the process.
1 Zoning
All
properties in Westfield are “zoned”.
Zoning determines whether the proposed use at a specific location is
permitted. The very first step when opening a business should be to check
with the Zoning Official to ensure that the zoning is commensurate with the
proposed use. If the zoning is not
appropriate, the property may require prior approval by either the Planning
Board and/or Board of Adjustment. These
boards meet on the first and second Monday of each month, respectively. (Zoning Official: 908-789-4100 ext. 609)
2 Codes, Inspections and Licenses
No specific
licenses are required for permitted uses, except as noted below.
Any proposed restaurant must submit an
application for a food service license to the Board of Health. Hair or nail salons must also register with the Board of
Health.
Sidewalk cafe and liquor licenses are available on
a limited basis by law. Contact the
Town Clerk for more information.
All permanent exterior signs, except
street number and public convenience signs, require a permit from the Building Department before the
sign is erected. Allow approximately 4
weeks for review by the Architectural Review Board. Sign
Permit Applications may be obtained by contacting the Building Department,
which also can provide guidance on sign usage by zone.
To determine if a
permit is necessary when installing an awning, contact the Building Department.
Façade improvements,
including signage and awnings may be eligible to participate in the Façade
Renovation Incentive Grant program offered by the Downtown Westfield
Corporation — if applied for prior to the design selected (see # 7).
Fire
Inspections may be scheduled by contacting the Fire Department.
3 Renovation/Building Permits
Depending upon the type of work
being conducted on a property, a construction permit may be required. A construction permit may be obtained by
contacting the Building Department.
Information needed to obtain a
construction permit includes but is not limited to:
·
Applicable permit fees;
·
Permit application folder and construction permit form;
·
Appropriate sub-code form(s);
·
Three (3) sets of signed architectural plans;
·
Estimated construction cost form for all building and
building alterations;
·
Vendor information for equipment and appliances, etc.
When in doubt, call the Building
Department.
4 Certificate of Occupancy
When a construction permit is
required, a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Building Department is
needed prior to the premises being occupied.
There are two types of certificates that are issued to businesses by the
Building Department:
1) A certificate
of occupancy serves notice that the building or structure has been constructed
and approved according to the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code Act and is
approved for occupancy.
2) A certificate
of continued occupancy is a document that serves notice that there are no imminent
hazards and is approved for continued occupancy.
Please note
that the Building Department has ten (10) days to issue the appropriate
certificate. All applicants are encouraged to plan ahead.
Westfield, NJ is currently planning to expand its parking
capacity. Contact Parking Services for
available parking for customers and employees.
Westfield, NJ, settled in
1720, has an active Historic Preservation Commission and Architectural Review
Board which advises property owners and tenants on design guidelines and
historic preservation issues.
7 Downtown Westfield
Corporation (DWC)
The DWC is the management entity of the Special Improvement
District (SID) in Downtown Westfield, NJ.
All properties,
businesses, and organizations in the SID are eligible to receive the
services of the DWC at no cost.
The focus of the DWC is to make downtown Westfield, NJ a cleaner, safer,
and more attractive shopping environment.
The DWC promotes business advertising as well as a new
business kit. Additionally, the DWC
maintains and promotes a free website for participating Westfield, NJ
businesses and organizations at: www.westfieldtoday.com.
The DWC can provide business consulting services through its
affiliation with New Jersey Main Street.
A limited grant program for facade improvements to promote the historic
preservation of the downtown is administered by the DWC. Small business services and information on
low interest loans are also available through the DWC.
Thinking of
opening a business in Westfield?
Contact any of the following entities for more information
and assistance on opening a business in Westfield, NJ.
Contact
Information
Downtown Westfield Corporation (908) 789-9444
Board of Health (908) 789-4074
Building Department (908) 789-4125
Chief of Police (908) 789-4015
Fire Chief (908) 789-4133
Parking Services (908)
789-4044
Town Administrator (908)
789-4040
Tax Assessor (908) 789-4057
Town Clerk (908) 789-4032
Town Engineer (908) 789-4100
Zoning Official (908) 789-4100
Historic Preservation Commission
(908) 789-4040
Main Street New Jersey, Department of Community Affairs (609)
633-9769
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) (973) 645-3982
Union County Economic Development Corporation (908) 527-1166
Union County Division of Policy & Planning (908) 527-4086
U.S. Small Business Admin (SBA) (973) 645-2434
Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce (908) 233-3021
Visit Westfield’s websites at: www.westfieldtoday.com &
westfieldnj.net