How can we cut red tape for small businesses through zoning?
In the City of Chicago, every business license, location expansion and change of location application needs to be reviewed and approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals before a business license application can be processed. For a business owner to submit proper documentation, they must identify which business use to classify their business. In the City of Chicago, there are over 22 pages of business uses - a portion of which are outdated and with a noticeable omission of modern ways to incorporate businesses into the city economy.
The SBAC believes in cutting red tape for small business owners. Simplifying and downsizing the list of business uses will make it easier for small businesses to obtain proper zoning credentials in a timely fashion. By identifying the antiquities in Chicago’s zoning classification system, we can further encourage entrepreneurs to look beyond the boundaries of traditional business structures.
Ordinance Filed to Reduce Special Use Zoning Fees For Small Businesses
The Small Business Advocacy Council has been working with a strong coalition on efforts to revitalize neighborhood business districts in Chicago. As part of these efforts, we are advocating to reduce fees for small businesses that want to open in Chicago. We are thrilled to report that we have worked with Alderman David Moore to…
Coalition Engagement Sparks New Chicago Zoning Guide
Navigating the zoning rules in Chicago just became easier. The newly released Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) Chicago Business Zoning Guide will help small businesses and property owners more easily navigate the zoning process in Chicago. This was crucial as chambers of commerce and small business advocates advised that clear,…
NRC New Look, New Logo, Same Mission
New Look, New Logo, Same Mission In our 2nd year of actively and ardently working to revitalize neighborhoods throughout Chicago, we thought we’d bring a fresh new look to the incredible work that the SBAC and a robust group of chamber partners have spearheaded. We continue to advocate for policy reform to reduce vacancies, cut…
