New businesses require, at a minimum, a Certificate of Use and Occupancy. To apply for this, the applicant must fill out a Commercial Permit Application, provide a floor plan of the space with dimensions, uses of rooms listed, the main points of egress, and pay the applicable fee. After an inspection by the Building, Zoning, and Fire Departments, a Certificate of Use and Occupancy can be issued. If there is a change of use for an existing building, the floor plans will be required to be stamped by an engineer or architect. If the new business is already obtaining building permits for work to be performed, the Certificate of Occupancy will be included (no separate application or fee needed). Separate permits will be required for signage. If your business is located within the Downtown Historic zone, additional approvals are required for any changes made to the exterior of a building (outside of ordinary maintenance and repair).