Starting a Business in Morristown, NJ

Morristown Welcomes You

Welcome to Downtown Morristown! We have become a hub for north-central New Jersey as a home base and a destination, located at the nexus of the Midtown Direct rail line, I- 287 and NJ-24. Our commercial base is diverse: our walkable downtown is alive with a vibrant mix of housing, dining, fitness/wellness studios, entertainment venues and retail shops – all settled within the pre-revolutionary Morristown Green and downtown center. Above historic storefronts, condominiums and apartments bloom with commercial office space. Whether you are big like the Morristown Medical Center, or small like a mom-and-pop shop, we are here for your business and are happy to guide you.

Let’s Get Started!

First things to consider:

• Planning on mixed-use or large-scale development? – Contact: Town Planner and/or Zoning Officer
• Looking to sell or distribute any food or beverage items? (vending machines, that means you too!) – Contact: Health Division

Step-By-Step Guide:

Zoning Permit Application

• Step 1: Apply for a Zoning Permit, regardless if you are buying your building, taking over an existing business, making modest renovations or major construction.
  • Check these Ordinary Maintenance Items. Zoning Permits are not required, but building permits may still be needed.
  • Check the Zoning Map and definitions for a better pre-understanding of Permitted Uses in your location

Doing Site Work

• Step 2: Once your Zoning Permit is issued, apply to the Planning Board for any major or minor site approvals (if you intend to make changes to your building/ property, or construct a new building)

Construction Permits

• Step 3: If applicable, for sites requiring construction, your next step is to apply for Construction Permits before remodeling or doing any construction work (interior or exterior, demolition, plumbing, etc).

Commercial Certificates of Occupancy

• Step 4: You will need to display a Certificate of Occupancy or Approval in order to operate. If your business did not require any construction permits which would have led to a CO or CA, you only need apply for a CCCO (Certificate of Continuing Commercial Occupancy).

Signs and Awnings

• Step 5: Review Sign Ordinance
  • Permanent signs require Zoning Permit
  • Changing sign/ installing new signs, even temporarily: Sign Permit
  • These signs are permitted:
    • Window signs (up to 30 days, no more than 2 square feet in size)
    • Awning signs
  • These are prohibited:
    • Sandwich Boards (freestanding signage on sidewalk)
    • Backlit Translucent Awning
    • Flashing Signs

Fire Safety

• Step 6: Register with the Fire Prevention Bureau (within 30 days of commercial occupancy).
  • Morristown’s Fire Marshal, located at the Speedwell Avenue Fire Department headquarters, is your partner!

Parking

• Step 7: Curbside meters and parking garages are all around Morristown, contact the Morristown Parking Authority (MPA) with questions. They have cost-saving employee parking permits and customer parking validation programs.

Garbage & Recycling

• Step 8: Recycling is mandatory! Your business is responsible for handling and removal of garbage and recyclables pursuant to Local Code and State Health Regulation.

Property Maintenance

• Step 9: Every property owner & commercial tenant is responsible for maintaining sidewalks and tree wells in front of their establishment (including snow removal)

Noise Control

• Looking for details? See Chapter 3-1 Police Regulations of the Morristown Code

Special Licenses

Health Division

• Local Licenses:
  • Beauty Salons, Barbershops, Nail Salons
  • Body Art, Tattoo, Permanent Cosmetics, Piercings
  • Camps, Daycares, Schools
  • Demolition Permits
  • Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Therapy
  • Mobile “itinerant” food vendors
  • Nursing Homes
  • Prepackaged food and beverages
  • Recreational Bathing Facilities (Pools, Spas, Wading Pools, etc.)
  • Retail Food & Beverage
  • Special Events providing Food/ Drink
  • Vending Machines
  • Door-to-door solicitation
  • Landlord Registration
  • Limousine/ Taxi Services
  • Lotteries, raffles and bingo
  • Precious Metals/ Gems (also requires Police authorization)
  • Poolrooms (2 or more tables)
  • Sidewalk Cafes
  • Towing for private lots/ public entities
  • Vendors at St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Clerk’s Office

• Local Licenses:
• Alcoholic Beverage Control Licensing
• Residential Rentals
  • Investing in residential rental property?
    • Landlords/ sellers must have:
      • Certificate of Habitability (CH) (one for each unit you are renting, prior to each new tenancy)
        • Contact: Property Maintenance
      • Zoning Review
        • Contact: Zoning Office
    • Home Based Businesses
      • Considered “conditional use,” which requires a Zoning Permit and Planning Board approval.
      • Sales of food prepared in a non-commercial kitchen = prohibited