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The City of Elgin requires all businesses to have an Occupancy Permit and Business License before business operations can begin. Both of these items can be obtained by completing the Business Application. This process can be quick, depending on what you need to have done to your business location.

Each permit has a different fee; most are based on the type of work being done. The Zoning Inquiry Form has no fee associated with it. The Business Application costs $200 and the fee is due when you submit your application. If you have any additional permit applications that need to be submitted, we will notify you of that when we respond to your Business Application, along with the expected fee total.

Our Community Development department will respond to your Zoning Inquiry Form within 3-5 business days and the Business Application within 7-10 business days. Other permit timelines depend on what is required for submittal and how quickly you get the information in. Opening up a business can be a quick or long process depending on the location, zoning and the type of business. Complete the Business Application to get a good idea of the permit timelines. The Business Application is just the first step in opening your business in Elgin and additional information and permitting may be required.

Each permit requires an inspection; some require multiple inspections. Inspection requirements will be provided to you when you are issued a permit. Inspections are part of the permitting process, so there is no additional cost for them, but re-inspection fees may occur in the event that more than 3 re-inspections are required. Don't worry though, most inspections are passed on the first try.

Most permits expire after 180 days, with the exception of the Occupancy Permit, which doesn't expire.

If you are preparing food, there will be Health Department requirements and inspections. If you plan on doing any plumbing work contact the Fox River Water Reclamation District (FRWRD). We will need their permit to issue our permit. Also, if your business will be doing any cooking, a grease interceptor may be required, which should also be discussed with FRWRD. Are you planning on having video gaming in your business? You must have a liquor license in order to have gaming in your establishment. If your business will have multiple components such as a retail store that also has a cafe and classes, your business is a mixed-used business and there may be additional requirements.

We encourage you to have a business plan, which will often answer many of the questions we ask on our Business Application. You will also need a floor plan, site plan, etc. Other documents that may be required on other permits are elevation drawings, etc.

If you will be doing any major construction, you will need to provide plans created and stamped by an architect. We will let you know if you need to submit this information when we respond to your Business Application.

Include the following in your calculations: Floor space used for mechanical equipment, whether open or enclosed, including such equipment as may be located on the roof, penthouse, attic space, balconies, mezzanines, porches and verandas and floor area devoted to and occupied by accessory uses. Principal and accessory floor area, cellars and basements, storage or detached accessory buildings, even though any such floor area may be temporarily vacant or not in use. Do not include: Common areas in multi-occupant buildings not used, reserved or retained for the exclusive use of a business establishments including, but not limited to, lobbies, elevators, and hallways.