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1. I am looking for a location for my business in Middletown, can the Planning Department help?

Yes, the economic development specialists keeps a folder on all vacant office, retail, and/or industrial space that may be available.

You can either look though the folder by visiting Planning, Conservation, and Development Office. The three-hole binder is located on the table near the reception desk.

You can also call our office and speak to the Economic Development Specialist on what spaces maybe available for your business, the phone number is 260-638-4840.

2. I am starting a new business in Middletown, what should I do at the Department of Planning, Conservation and Development?

It is always advisable to consult with the Department of Planning, Conservation, and Development when considering to set up a business in Middletown. you will want to get information on the following issues:

1. Most importantly you need to see if the business you wish to set up in Middletown is allowed at all or to see what areas of the city you are allowed to operate.
   1. If you want to set up a business in a Business or industrial zone you should consult Section 61 (PDF) of the Zoning Code.
   2. If you want to set up a business in a Residential zone you will need to see if it is allowed by Residential Unit Business Pursuit permit or by one of Special Exception that can be found in Section 60 (PDF) of the Zoning Code.
   3. Section 61.05 of the Zoning Code to see what businesses are not allowed in Middletown.
2. Understand the Parking requirements for your proposed business. These are governed by Section 40 (PDF) of the Zoning Code.
3. Our department can also help in directing you to available space for you to set up your business.
4. Finally, you should see if any of the tax abatement or loan programs will be a benefit for your business.

Make sure that you also contact the following departments to learn about other requirements you may need to follow. To reach the Health Department, please call 860-638-4960. To reach the Building Division, please call 860-638-4870.

3. Where can I set up my business?

The zone designation of a piece of property, will determine what uses are allowed or not allowed. Business generally can conduct operations in the following zones:

• B-1 Central Business
• B-2 General Business
• B-3 Business Office/Transition
• I-1 Service Industrial
• I-2 Restricted Industrial
• I-3 Special Industrial
• I-4 Limited Industrial
• ID Institutional Development
• IM Interstate Mixed Use
• IOP
• IRA Industrial Redevelopment Area
• IT Interstate Trade
• Neighborhood/Rural Commercial Development Zone
• Newfield Street Planned Retail Business Commercial Zone
• PL Park Land
• TD Transitional Development

To find out what commercial uses are allow for each zone, consult Section 61 (PDF) of the Zoning Code.

Residential Zones allow only for very small scale types of business, that have been issued a Residential Unit Business Pursuit permit. Or what is allowed by Special Exception according to Section 60 of the Zoning Code.

4. What are the allowed uses of my property?

Section 61 of the Zoning Code can show what kind of business can be operated on a site within the following zones:

• B1- Central Business Zone
• B2- General Business Zone
• B3- Business Office/Transition Zone
• I1- Service-Industrial Zone
• I2- Restricted Industrial Zone
• I3- Special Industrial Zone
• I4- Limited Industrial Zone
• IRA- Industrial Redevelopment Area Zone
• IT- Interstate Trade Zone
• Newfield Street Planned Retail Business Commercial Zone
• Transitional Development Zone

Most other zone will likely need a Special Exception in order to carry out a commercial operations. These can be found in Section 60 (PDF) of the Zoning Code.

5. What kind of signs are not permitted Downtown?

The Downtown area, also known as the Central Business Zone (B-1) has stricter sign standards applied to it. The following aspects are required for any business that wants to install a sign in the downtown area:

• Awnings are permitted, but subject to the approval of the Sidewalk Conformance Inspector and Design Review and Preservation Board
• Free standing signs are not permitted
• Internally illuminated signs are not permitted, unless the design is a halo style or stencil cut sign of high quality that is approved by the Design Review and Preservation Board
• Projecting signs are permitted, but subject to the approval of the Sidewalk Conformance Inspector and Design Review and Preservation Board

6. What is te maximum height a sign can be?

The maximum height for a free standing sign is 10 feet above ground level.

Note that free standing signs are not permitted in the Central Business zone (B-1), also known as the downtown area.

7. What parking requirements affect my business?

Parking for businesses are regulated by Section 40 (PDF) of the Zoning Code.

Different business require different numbers of parking spaces and/or loading areas.

No business can be operated unless that business can provide and maintain the appropriate amount of parking required.

8. Are there any programs offered by the City that can help my business?

The City does offer the following to businesses:

• Tax Incentives
• Tax Abatement Program

Businesses Loans

• JOBS Loan Program 
• REINVEST Loan Program

Businesses interested in seeing what other incentives and programs are available should contact the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce by calling them at 860-347-6924 or by visiting their website.

9. I want to get a new sign or change the current sign for my business, what do I need to know?

The following steps should be taken to installing a new sign for a business:

1. The first thing you should do is take a look at and/or get a copy of the following:
   1. Initial Land Use Application (PDF)
   2. City Zoning Code: Section 48 Signs (PDF)
   3. Design Guidelines (PDF) (last page in this guide provides an overview of the process)
2. Then, using the information provided in the above documents design your proposed sign.
3. After your have designed your sign, submit your proposal that includes:
   1. A scale color drawing of the sign
   2. Provide a map and/ or a photograph of the location
   3. $25 fee
4. Submit your application at least a week in advance of the meeting to allow for distribution. Meetings are usually the 2nd Wednesday, so the first Wednesday is the usual cut off date.
5. Attend the Design Review and Preservation Board meeting to explain your proposed sign to the Board and answer any questions they may have. The Board will approve the project or make suggestions.
6. The Planning and Zoning Officials will take the Design Review and Preservation Board's advisory opinion and check on the proposed sign's compliance with Planning and zoning codes and regulations. You will be contacted as to whether or not your proposed sign was approved.
7. Once your application has cleared Planning and Zoning, you may take it to the Building Department to obtain a building permit.
8. Install your new sign.

10. Can I start a home-based business?

The purpose of permitting this accessory activity is to allow certain small scale quasi-business undertakings by the dwelling occupant that will not influence the immediate neighborhood and would not be economically feasible if conducted in a totally business setting.

View the application form (PDF) to permit a home-based business.

Criteria

• The activity offered shall meet the following criteria:
  • Be conducted solely by an occupant of the dwelling unit with no more than one non resident employee on the premises and entirely within the dwelling unit, specifically excluding any area designated as a garage
  • Not presently any external evidence of the activity including a separate entrance or parking of any vehicle which displays any evidence, however, a sign shall be permitted no larger than that specified in the sign regulation identifying the activity
  • Not utilize more than five hundred square feet of the gross area of the dwelling unit
  • No equipment or process used for the activity shall create:
    • Electrical interference (visual or audible) with any radio, television, or telephone
    • Fluctuations in electrical line voltage off the premises
    • Fumes
    • Glare
    • Hazardous waste
    • Noise
    • Vibration
  • Not generate greater vehicular traffic than would ordinarily be associated with the dwelling location or attract more than four persons to the dwelling at any one time.
  • Only individual or unique physical items or services shall be created or provided. Sales associated directly with a service provided or a good produced directly on premises may occur at the premises provided the sale of such goods on premises shall not be advertised or constitute the primary business pursuit
  • Not involve repairing any item which would be brought to the dwelling
• Following is a list of business pursuit categories which may be pursued in residential units provided they do not violate any of the criteria:
  • Culinary activities such as: baking, cooking, and preserving food
  • Fine Arts such as:
    • Crafts
    • Model making
    • Painting
    • Photography
    • Sculpturing
    • Weaving
  • Office activity such as:
    • Computer programming
    • Consulting
    • Drafting
    • Telephone answering
    • Tutoring
    • Writing

Process

• A Residential Unit Business approval shall be issued for a 90 day trial period during which time the activity may be observed to make an initial evaluation possible.
• Upon issuance, the Planning and Zoning Department shall send a copy of the approved license to abutting property owners along with a letter explaining the license. The adjoining property owners have the right to request a further review by the Planning and Zoning Commission during the ninety trial period.
• If a review has been requested, all abutting property owners shall be notified of the time and date of the Planning and Zoning Commission review.
• If no objections by abutters have been filed during said ninety day period, the issued license may be permanent subject to licensee's compliance of the approved uses contained herein.