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Opening a Business
To open a business in Swansea, you must contact the Building and Zoning Department to obtain authorization:
Telephone number is (618) 234-0044.
E-mail address is dalley@swanseail.org
The department office is located at 1444 Boul Avenue, Swansea, Illinois 62226.
You will have to begin the process and comply with the following requirements:
1. Some approvals may be granted by the department; others must be approved by the Planning and Zoning Board and Village Board of Trustees. The Planning and Zoning Board meets once a month on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the Village Government Center, 1444 Boul Avenue. The Board of Trustees meet on the first and third Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
2. Schedule and pay for an inspection of the premises which will be conducted by the Building and Zoning Department and the Swansea Fire Department. The cost of the inspection is $50.00, or $60.00 if the space is 5000 square feet in area or larger. There may be some construction or repair work that must be done to comply with the Building, Fire and other codes prior to your occupancy. If there is any work that must be done, the inspector will provide you with a written report. Some of this work may require a permit from the Building and Zoning Department.
3. In addition to the permits that may be required for any property maintenance repairs, construction permits will be required if you plan on doing any modifications to the building/space you will be occupying. Permit fees vary depending on the extent of the work that will be done. Permits for minor modifications only require a fee of $20 each for building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical. Permit fees for more extensive modifications are based on the square footage of the area being modified.
4. Obtain a Sign Permit from the Building and Zoning Department for any exterior signs for the business prior to erecting the signs. The cost for a sign permit is $50.00. Sign permit application forms can also be downloaded from this site by navigating back to the home page. On the right-hand side click on “Common Forms”. Then click on “Sign Permit Application Form”.
2. Schedule and pay for an inspection of the premises which will be conducted by the Building and Zoning Department and the Swansea Fire Department. The cost of the inspection is $50.00, or $60.00 if the space is 5000 square feet in area or larger. There may be some construction or repair work that must be done to comply with the Building, Fire and other codes prior to your occupancy. If there is any work that must be done, the inspector will provide you with a written report. Some of this work may require a permit from the Building and Zoning Department.
3. In addition to the permits that may be required for any property maintenance repairs, construction permits will be required if you plan on doing any modifications to the building/space you will be occupying. Permit fees vary depending on the extent of the work that will be done. Permits for minor modifications only require a fee of $20 each for building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical. Permit fees for more extensive modifications are based on the square footage of the area being modified.
4. Obtain a Sign Permit from the Building and Zoning Department for any exterior signs for the business prior to erecting the signs. The cost for a sign permit is $50.00. Sign permit application forms can also be downloaded from this site by navigating back to the home page. On the right-hand side click on “Common Forms”. Then click on “Sign Permit Application Form”.
Annual Non Residential Use of Property Registration
Every year, a form will be mailed or emailed to you in March in order for you to register your business with the Village. On this registration form, provide the requested information pertaining to your business. On this form, make any corrections regarding ownership and contact persons. This form is needed in case the fire or police department must contact you after hours. The cost of the registration is $25.00. The form with payment must be received by April 30th.
Every year, a form will be mailed or emailed to you in March in order for you to register your business with the Village. On this registration form, provide the requested information pertaining to your business. On this form, make any corrections regarding ownership and contact persons. This form is needed in case the fire or police department must contact you after hours. The cost of the registration is $25.00. The form with payment must be received by April 30th.
Incentives
The Village of Swansea offers in its Business Districts a general assistance program that can provide a loan or grant for 1) land acquisition, 2) site preparation, 3) extension of utilities, 4) site improvements, 5) building demolition, construction, and/or rehabilitation, and 6) related improvements deemed eligible by the Board of Trustees.
In addition to the general assistance program, the Village of Swansea offers a façade and sign improvement program. Existing businesses can receive a 50% reimbursement for façade and sign improvements, up to $6,000, plus architectural design assistance up to $3,000 at no cost.
Incentives-Swansea Tax Increment Finance Districts
Swansea has two Tax Increment Finance Districts. Locating within a Tax Increment Finance Districts can provide the same types of assistance as offered in the Business Districts general assistance program. Within the parameters of state law, an assistance package can be designed to fit your business’ needs.
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