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Resources for Businesses
Do I need any permits or approvals from the City to open a business in Norwich?
Yes: Depending on the type of business and the location there may be several departments that require review or an application.
Below is a general list of permits and reviews by departments:
Zoning:
- Zoning Permit followed by A Certificate of Zoning Compliance to establish the use within any building or on any parcel of land.
- Sign Permit
Building Department:
- Possible change of use (Code Upgrades May Be Required)
- Interior or exterior alterations or modifications
- Mechanical and lighting upgrades
- Signs
Fire Marshal:
- Review of all commercial activity
- Possible change of use (Code Upgrades May Be Required)
UNCAS Health District:
- Food Service (dining restaurants and take out)
- Hair and Nail Salons
- Grocery Stores
Norwich Public Utilities:
- Reviews to insure the existing services are sufficient to support a proposed use and ensures all accounts are associated with the correct parties and any applicable connection fees are paid.
- Provide information on energy saving programs they may have that will help the applicants moving forward with buildouts and utility upgrades
City Clerk:
- File a trade name certificate
The City of Norwich is committed to assisting any existing, prospective, or new business in being successful. The City has a coordinators team consisting of representatives for each of the departments listed above, including the Planning Department and City Engineering / Public Works.
The team will meet onsite with prospective business owners, tenants, and landlords to discuss your plans so that we may get a good understanding of the proposal so that we can help guide you through the process and assist you in being successful right from the beginning.
To schedule a coordinators meeting, don’t hesitate to contact the Planning and Neighborhood Services Department (860) 823-3745 or The Norwich Community Development Corporation (NCDC) at (860) 887-6964.
- Doing Business in Norwich Resource Guide
- NCDC- Norwich Community Development Corporation
- CERC - The Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc
- CEDC - Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development