The City Of Concord works to help small business owners grow and prosper by providing access to needed services. Information and web links on this page will connect you with a network of business-building resource organizations in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and elsewhere in the nation.
Setting Up Shop - in Concord
The Setting Up Shop system provides step-by-step guidance as you prepare to open a new business, expand a business, build a new structure for your business, or relocate your business.
Minor Impact Business (Just Moving In)
- If the intended use of your building is permitted by zoning.
- If you are moving into an existing site that does not require exterior site upgrades or internal alterations such as the addition of restrooms, kitchen, or removing a wall.
- If ownership of the business is changing.
- If the name of the business is changing.
1. Follow the procedure for obtaining a Certificate of Compliance.
2. The Fire Department will schedule a fire inspection for the subject property.
3. With a complete fire inspection, the City will issue the Certificate of Compliance.
4. The Cabarrus County Construction Standards will inspect the facility to issue a Certificate of Occupancy.
5. Power/utilities may now be placed in the new tenant’s name.
Advanced Impact Business (Constructing or Upfitting a Business)
- If you are constructing a new building or expanding an existing building.
- If you are upfitting the interior by installing/removing walls, bathrooms, kitchens, etc.
- If your business requires a Rezoning, Special Use Permit, or Certificate of Appropriateness
1. Contact the Plan Review staff and describe your objectives.
2. Possible procedures/permits include:
- Rezoning
- Special Use Permit
- Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)
- Temporary Use Permit
- Certificate of Nonconformity
- Plan review for an interior upfit
- Temporary power permit
- Plan review for exterior improvements
- Grading permit
- Zoning Clearance Permit (ZCP)
- Driveway permit
- Sign permit
- Stormwater permit
- ABC permit
- State or federal level approvals from agencies such as DOT or FEMA