Restaurants Roadmap

Plan Your Business

Visit the plan your business landing page for more information!

Plan Your Location

Finding your location
Raleigh, known for its robust economy and vibrant entrepreneurial scene, offers a variety of spaces suitable for different types of businesses. These range from traditional office spaces to co-working spaces that foster collaboration and innovation. There are also retail spaces in high-traffic areas for businesses that rely on walk-in customers. Industrial spaces are available for businesses that require warehouses or manufacturing facilities. Choosing the right space involves considering factors such as your budget, business needs, and the kind of environment you want to create for your employees and customers.

Choosing the right location for your retail business is crucial. Here are some reasons why location is so important:

Visibility: A well-located retail store is easily visible to passersby. This can attract walk-in customers and increase brand awareness.
Accessibility: Your store should be easy to access for both customers and suppliers. Consider factors like parking availability, proximity to public transportation, and ease of delivery when choosing a location.
Demographics: The location should be in an area where your target customers live, work, or frequently visit. Understanding the demographics of the area can help you tailor your products and services to meet local needs.
Cost: Prime locations often come with higher rents. It’s important to ensure that the potential increase in sales justifies the cost of the location.

Remember, the perfect location for your retail business depends on your specific needs and may require a balance of these factors. It’s always a good idea to do thorough research and consider seeking advice from real estate professionals or business advisors. You can find resources on the city’s website to help you make the best decision for your business.

Lease negotiations
Before signing a lease, negotiate with the landlord to meet your business needs. Understand key leasing matters and seek financial, legal, and business advice to comprehend your rights and obligations.

A successful lease negotiation is crucial for your business. Key tips include:

Know your financial limit
Keep emotions out of negotiations
Take time to review lease terms
Seek legal and financial advice
Document all agreements
Be ready to end negotiations if needed

Understanding TICAM
TICAM, an acronym for Taxes, Insurance, and Common Area Maintenance, is a significant factor in any lease. Understanding TICAM is crucial for budgeting as it directly impacts your operating costs. TICAM adds to your store’s operating costs and can affect your profitability. TICAM costs are a legal obligation. Failure to pay them can result in penalties.

Include TICAM in your initial budget planning. This helps ensure you have sufficient funds to cover this cost. Seek Professional Advice: Consider consulting with a real estate expert to understand how TICAM will impact your business.

Zoning
The City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) designates zoning of properties in Raleigh, including which uses are allowable in each zoning district. Check the Allowed Principal Use Table in Section 6.1.4 of the UDO to find the zoning districts where restaurants are allowed. Then use the City of Raleigh’s iMaps tool to confirm that your location’s zoning allows restaurant uses, or to find a location with appropriate zoning for your restaurant.

Design professionals
You may need to hire one or more registered design professionals and a licensed General Contractor to help design your space and navigate the process to obtain the appropriate permits for your business.

Special districts
Your location may have additional requirements if it lies within a special district, such as a historic overlay district or a flood plain. You can check your location’s status by enabling the Zoning Overlay Districts and Flood Hazard Areas layers in iMaps.

Site Plan Review
If your location involves new construction or substantial site work, you are likely to need to submit plans for approval via the City's Site Permit Review (SPR) process. The SPR process and requirements are outlined in Section 10.2.8 of the UDO.

Historic Review
Some locations and buildings need to have renovations reviewed by the Historic Development Commission (HPC).

Plan Your Space

Register for City of Raleigh Permit & Development Portal
The city offers a tool you can use to manage your permitting and development activity. You can schedule inspections, pay fees, and monitor all projects in the portal.

Building permits
You will need to work with your design professional(s) to obtain a building permit for your restaurant. View estimated turnaround times for this process.

Private Use of Public Spaces
The Private Use of Public Spaces permit (PUPS) was established to regulate the private use of public spaces in Downtown Raleigh. It ensures that these spaces are used in a manner that contributes to an active and vibrant community. This permit allows you to use sidewalks and other public rights-of-way spaces for your business operations.

Monitor your progress
Stay current with the progress of your building plan review status, permits, and Certificate of Compliance online.

Contact the fire department
To ensure your building meets the N.C. Fire Code, you should contact the Raleigh Fire Department.

Sign permits
You will also need to obtain a sign permit for any signage planned for your business that will be visible from the public right-of-way. You can find out the types of signs allowable in your location’s zoning district by checking the table of Signs Allowed by District in Section 7.3.2 of the UDO.

Outdoor seating
If your restaurant will have outdoor seating (especially in a right-of-way like a sidewalk or streetery), you may need to obtain an Outdoor Seating Permit.

Curbside pickup zones
If your business needs space to accommodate cars for pickup orders, you can contact the City to request a Curbside Pickup Zone.

Furnishing your space
When planning your retail shop, it’s crucial to budget for furnishings and furniture. These items play a significant role in defining the look and feel of your store, influencing customer perception and experience.

Upfitting your space
The City of Raleigh's Building Up-fit and Facade Rehabilitation grants encourages growth and development by assisting property owners who want to activate their vacant or underutilized commercial building space in Raleigh by funding part of the costs of exterior or interior upfitting.

Follow Regulation & Requirements

Food Service Regulations
Wake County’s Environmental Health & Safety Division permits and inspects facilities that provide food service. Applications for Health & Safety Plan Review can be submitted online at the same time as submitting plans to the City of Raleigh for building permits. Visit Wake County’s Plan Review & Permits page for more submittal guidelines.

Review the North Carolina Food Code Manual and ensure that you have one employee who is a certified food protection manager. Review and understand the rules governing food protection and sanitation (.2600 Rules).

Once permitted, the establishment will be inspected on a regular basis, one to four times a year. These inspections are not announced so ensure that food service workers are following required laws and have good hygiene.

Alcohol Regulations
If your business will engage in the selling of alcohol, you will need to complete the ABC Retail Application Process. The ABC Commissions provides retail application checklists based on your business structure.

Select the relevant retail application for your business type. Follow the checklist and complete all relevant forms.
Learn more about applying for ABC Permits.

City of Raleigh Beer/Wine License
Any business that sells Beer or Wine within the Raleigh City limits must also obtain a Beer/Wine License (Schedule V in Business License application) before selling any alcoholic beverages.

Businesses must FIRST obtain Temporary Permits from the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.
Beer/Wine Licenses must be renewed prior to April 30 each year.
Be sure to contact the Development Services Customer Service Center at 919-996-2495 to assure that the sale of alcoholic beverages is allowed at your business location.

Noise Ordinance and Nightlife Permit
At the Dec. 5, 2023, City Council afternoon meeting, Council authorized a repeal of the Amplified Entertainment Ordinance and enacted the Nightlife Permit Ordinance. At the Jan. 2 City Council afternoon meeting, Council authorized updates to the Noise Ordinance. Both authorizations come after a multi-year effort to research, rewrite, collect public feedback, and edit the ordinances. If your business will engage in amplified entertainment or live music, familiarize yourself with the latest revisions to the Noise Ordinance and the Nightlife Permit Ordinance.

Plan Your Operations

Do you think you're ready to open? Visit the plan your operations landing page for planning business operation to learn more about topics such as employer requirements and planning your opening.