Tenant Build-Out and Business Occupancy Permits
Pre-Application Meetings
Prior to submitting an application, all businesses are encouraged to attend a pre-application meeting with City staff. The meetings are held weekly in an open-house format. Business owners, design professionals, and property managers will have an opportunity to speak with representatives of the Building Team, Planning and Zoning, the Fire Department, and the Electric Utility. Staff will answer questions to help businesses navigate the permit process to ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible. Attendees should bring a paper copy of any drawings or other information that they would like to share. Attendees are also strongly encouraged to bring a completed copy of the “Letter of Intent for Business Occupancies” form located in the permit application packets.
Meetings are held on Tuesday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street. For questions about the meeting, please call 630-420-6100, Option 2.
Business Occupancy Permit
A Business Occupancy Permit is issued for new businesses that are assuming a tenant space, but are not performing any modification to the building. A change in business name or ownership requires application for a Business Occupancy Permit.
To apply for a permit, please visit the City of Naperville Permitting, Plans and Licensing Portal. The Permitting, Plans and Licensing Portal gathers all of the information needed to apply, pay for, and manage permits in one convenient place. It is designed for use on a desktop/laptop computer.
For details on the permitting process, including submittal, reviews, fees and issuance, visit the Building Permits page.
Tenant Build-Out Permit
A Tenant Build-Out Permit is issued for businesses that wish to modify the interior or exterior of the building. The permit may be issued for a new business, a change in tenant, or for an existing tenant who wants to do some remodeling. Minor updates like painting and new carpeting do not require a permit.
To apply for a permit, please visit the City of Naperville Permitting, Plans and Licensing Portal. The Permitting, Plans and Licensing Portal gathers all of the information needed to apply, pay for, and manage permits in one convenient place. It is designed for use on a desktop/laptop computer.
For details on the permitting process, including submittal, reviews, fees and issuance, visit the Building Permits page.
Fire Alarm and Suppression Systems
A separate permit is required for any new or modified Fire Alarm or Fire Suppression System. For details on the permitting process, including submittal, reviews, fees and issuance, visit the Building Permits page.
Cigarette, Tobacco and Hookah License
Anyone selling any tobacco products or hookahs must have a cigarette/tobacco/hookah license. For details on the requirements visit the Permits & Licensing page.
Liquor Commission
New liquor businesses, changes to an existing business, ownership changes and special events involving liquor must be reviewed by the Liquor Concept Committee. Schedule a meeting with the Mayor’s Office, at (630)548-2983. For details on the application process visit the Liquor Concept Committee page.
Outdoor Seating and Dining Permit
Multiple departments within the City of Naperville may need to review your application for outdoor seating and dining depending on the scope of construction work, whether alcohol will be served outdoors, and whether part of the seating area is on public property.
Please view the Outdoor Seating & Dining Application Process Map and follow the instructions on how to start the application process with the appropriate city department.
Download the Outdoor Seating application for more information.