Guide to Starting a Business in Morristown

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This document serves as a comprehensive guide for starting a business in Morristown, New Jersey. It outlines essential processes required of all businesses, including zoning permits, construction permits, and various special licenses issued by the Health Division and Clerk’s Office. The guide emphasizes the importance of planning and preparation to avoid potential delays and re-application fees. It also provides information on signage regulations, home-based businesses, residential rentals, fire safety, garbage and recycling, and noise control.

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--- Document: Guide to Starting a Business in Morristown Document ---
Starting 
a Business
in Morristown, NJ
Timothy P. Dougherty, Mayor
Jillian C. Barrick, Business Administrator
200 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960 
973-292-6600  |  townofmorristown.org
Facebook-f @townofmorristown    @NJMorristown 


THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN
2 
The Place to Be in Business
Morristown is north-central New Jersey’s center for commerce.  We are a home base 
and a destination, at the nexus of the Midtown Direct rail line, I-287 and NJ-24. 
The town’s commercial base is diverse: our walkable downtown has been designated one of New Jersey’s 
Great Places by the APA-NJ because it is alive with a vibrant mix of housing, dining, fitness/wellness studios, 
entertainment venues and retail shops. On-street and structured parking spaces number in the thousands. 
Above historic storefronts, condominiums and apartments are interspersed with sought-after commercial 
office space. All are within walking distance of at least one of four specialty grocers, including Kings and 
Whole Foods Market. Along Madison Avenue and around the pre-Revolutionary Morristown Green, Class A 
office buildings house major corporations and are flanked by the County of Morris’ headquarters and the 
renowned Morristown Medical Center.


THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN
3 
Morristown Welcomes You
To help you locate your business in Morristown we have created a Step-by-Step Guide to 
walk you through the essential processes required of all businesses. Even if you are “just” 
taking over an existing business these steps are required so that we can better serve you 
and the community as a whole.
We encourage you to use this Guide to ensure sure you have prepared all of the necessary information which will be 
needed to process your applications efficiently the first time around. Your thorough planning and preparation can 
help you avoid mid-project changes which could cost you time and re-application fees.
This guide is comprehensive but we are here to help answer your questions along the way. The Morristown Zoning 
Office can help you by phone, email or with an in-person meeting by appointment.  If your location is within the 
Special Improvement District, the Morristown Partnership also offers guidance and marketing support.
If you intend to sell or distribute any food or beverage, please contact the Health Division.  Whether your business 
has a vending machine, sells candy at the counter, hands out samples to customers or offers bagged ice from a freezer, 
State and Local Retail Food Licensing requirements apply.  
Even if you are taking ownership of an existing retail food establishment, if you will sell, serve or provide any food 
or drink, you must go through Plan Review with the Health Department which may require retroactively bringing 
your facilities up to new Codes per State Law.  We invite you to schedule a free “Courtesy Walk-Through in Advance of 
Renovations” with the Health Division before finalizing your plans.
Health requirements are in addition to any necessary Building Department reviews and inspections. You will need to 
present proof that you have obtained a Retail Food License application from the Health Division before your Zoning 
Permit application will be accepted.  
Prior to embarking on a mixed-use or larger scale 
development project, we encourage you to contact 
the Town Planner and/or the Zoning Officer. 
They can offer helpful advice as to improvements, 
completeness and likely waivers or variances so 
that you can make a more informed decision about 
how you would like to proceed.
For a more in-depth discussion which includes the 
Town’s Land Use and Engineering professionals, 
you may also apply for a Concept Plan Review 
from the Technical Coordinating Committee 
prior to submitting your Land Use Development 
Application to the Zoning or Planning Board. 
Big Ambitions
Food Businesses


THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN
4 
Whether you are buying a building, taking over an existing 
turnkey business, making modest renovations or doing major 
construction, your first step is to apply for a Zoning Permit. 
This allows the Town to confirm whether yours is a Permitted 
Use in the Zoning District of your desired location. The Town has 
10 business days to process your application and will notify you 
when your Zoning Permit is ready for pickup.
Zoning regulates land use by designating districts where specific 
uses are Permitted, subject to Conditions, or Prohibited.  The aim 
is to enhance and preserve the livability of our community and 
protect the value of your investment.
There are a handful of ordinary maintenance items for which 
a Zoning Permit is not required. Building permits will still be 
needed for most.
For a preliminary understanding of Permitted Uses in your 
location, you should check the Zoning Map, Use Regulations 
and Bulk Regulations. The Zoning Officer will then review your 
application and assist in making the final determination.
If your intended use is not permitted in the zone, the following 
options are available:
•	
If your use is Conditional or Prohibited, you may apply 
to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a Use Variance. 
•	
In the rare instance that there is a gray area (or your use 
is novel) you may submit a “request for interpretation” 
to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Zoning Permit Application
Step-By-Step Guide


THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN
5 
Once your Use has been approved 
and your Zoning Permit issued, 
the next determination is whether 
local land use law requires that 
your proposed site improvements 
be sent to the Planning Board for 
consideration.
If you intend to make changes 
to your building/property or to 
construct a new building, the 
Zoning Officer may determine that 
you need to apply to the Planning 
Board for “major” or “minor” site 
plan approval.  This is to make sure 
that parking, signage, landscaping, 
any necessary site improvements 
and other needs are addressed.
The Boards are composed of trained 
volunteers who are advised by a 
team of consulting professionals. 
Your ability to get on an agenda will 
depend on the Board’s caseload. 
The process of applying to either 
Board can be lengthy. 
 
Only 
applications 
which 
have 
been 
deemed “complete” will be heard 
by the Board.  The Zoning Officer 
can meet with you by appointment 
to ensure that you have all of the 
materials and information which 
the Board will need in order 
to process your application as 
efficiently as possible. If yours 
is an incorporated business, you 
are required to be represented by 
Counsel that can help you with the 
application requirements (?)
The fees associated with this 
process correspond to the scale, 
scope and complexity of your 
application.
For sites requiring construction, after your Site Plan Approval (if 
applicable) and your Zoning Permit have been issued you may need 
Construction Permits before you begin remodeling or construction 
work such as interior or exterior demolition and electric, fire, building 
or plumbing work. 
Doing Site Work
Construction Permits 
The information needed to obtain a construction permit 
includes, but is not limited to:
1.	 Applicable permit fees
2.	 Permit application folder and construction permit form
3.	 Appropriate sub-code form(s)
4.	 3 sets of signed architectural plans
5.	 Estimated construction costs for all alterations
6.	 Vendor information for equipment, appliance, etc.
As well, if there is a change in use per the Uniform Construction Code 
(UCC) for example, changing an office building into a restaurant, a CO 
or CA (Certificate of Approval) must be obtained to ensure that the site 
meets the UCC regulatory requirements. a NJ Uniform Construction 
Code (UCC) code analysis is required. Depending on the scope and/
or magnitude of the project, a CO (Certificate of Occupancy) or CA 
(Certificate of Approval) will be issued after all required UCC inspections 
are approved.
NJ State Law requires architectural drawings for renovations or 
alterations to commercial spaces. We recommend you work with 
professionals who are knowledgeable in all the State and Local codes 
for your specific type of business. State law provides up to 20 business 
days for Town officials to review your plans each time you submit 
or revise them. initial permit submission and 7 business days after 
resubmission of revised plans, as applicable. We recommend that you 
and your professionals meet with the Building Department early in the 
design process for input on the NJ Uniform Construction Code (UCC) UCC 
compliance of plans. All electrical, and plumbing and mechanical HVAC 
work must be performed by NJ licensed contractors.
Once you have obtained Construction Permits and begun work, you or 
your contractor is responsible for contacting the Building Department 
to schedule inspections of the work at various stages. As well, the Health 
Department may require a health inspection to be done prior to a CO 
being issued to comply with any necessary Health licensing or permit 
requirements.
Once all work is complete and has passed inspection, the Building 
Department will help you apply for and obtain the final required 
document, your CO or CA so that you can open for business!


THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN
6 
Town Code requires a Commercial Certificate of Occupancy (CCCO) permit whenever an existing commercial business 
space gets a new tenant, if the space is to be reoccupied without any NJ-UCC regulated construction improvements. The 
CCCO inspection is not a UCC inspection and would not be applicable for a UCC “Change of Use” project.  
All businesses must display a Certificate of Occupancy or Approval to operate. If your business did not require any 
construction permits which would have led to a CO or CA, you only need to apply for a CCCO.  A Morristown inspector 
will meet you onsite to conduct the CCCO inspection which is a visual observation of safety and property maintenance 
conditions.
The CCCO application, checklist and guidance document are available here.
Please note there are fees associated with CO and CCCO applications, as well as for inspections and other functions. Each 
project is unique, so the permit needs and associated fees vary and are to be determined on a case by case basis.
Several types of businesses require a local license to protect public health and safety. You will need to obtain a Health 
License application from the Health Division before your Zoning Permit application will be accepted.  Licenses 
required in Morristown include, but are not limited to:
Special Licenses
Licenses Issued by the Health Division
•	
Beauty Salons, Barbershops, Nail Salons
•	
Body Art, Tattoo, Permanent Cosmetics, Piercing
•	
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 
pool, splash pads 
•	
Retail Food and Beverage 
•	
Special Events providing food/drink
•	
Vending Machines
Licenses Issued by the Clerk’s Office
•	
Alcoholic Beverage Control licensing
•	
Door-to-door solicitors
•	
Landlord Registration
•	
Limousine services
•	
Lotteries, raffles and bingo
•	
Precious Metals/Gems (also requires 
Police authorization)
•	
Poolrooms (2 or more tables)
•	
Sidewalk Cafes
•	
Taxicab services 
•	
Towing for private lots
•	
Towing for public entities
•	
Vendors at St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Commercial Certificates of Occupancy (CCCO)


THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN
7 
We know signage is vital to your business. To save yourself 
money and time please review the full Sign Ordinance 
which governs sign and banner placement, size and 
duration of display.  Whenever you are changing a sign or 
installing a new one, even temporarily, a Sign Permit is 
required.  All permanent signs require a Zoning Permit. 
Your Zoning Permit application must include renderings 
and dimensions. Ground signs may also require a survey 
to show proper installation. 
Keeping Morristown beautiful is up to all of us. Some 
common signage questions are answered below, and you 
can contact the Zoning Office for more information.  
Signs & Awnings
Prohibited Signs 
•	
“Sandwich Boards”  and other signs which would 
be freestanding on the ground or sidewalk are 
not permitted along any public road or sidewalk. 
However, if you have a Town-licensed outdoor 
dining area, a freestanding sign is permitted 
within it.
•	
No “Backlit Translucent Awning” is permitted, 
except where an awning contains lettering the 
letters themselves may be translucent.
•	
“Flashing Signs” – are prohibited; there is to be no 
lettering or lighting that flashes or changes.
Permitted Signs
•	
Window signs – are allowed for up to 30 days and 
limited to no more than two square feet in size. 
The total sign area can cover no more than 15% of 
the glazing area of your storefront. 
•	
Temporary Banners require a Zoning Permit and 
can be displayed for no more than 20 days.  The size 
limit is ten square feet for all other than non-profit 
organizations. Your Zoning Permit Application 
must be accompanied by a color rendering of the 
banner showing size and location on your site.  
•	
Awning Signs – Lettering on an awning is included 
in the total allowable signage calculation. 
7 


THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN
8 
Operating a business out of your home may be allowed depending 
on several factors (Morristown Land Use Regulations, 30-802). 
Any Home Occupation is a “conditional use” which requires 
a Zoning Permit and Planning Board approval. Purchase of a 
home with a prior Home Occupation does not guarantee the use 
will be allowed to continue; a new Zoning Permit and Planning 
Board approval are required. In every case the business owner 
must live onsite - as their primary residence. The Board will 
evaluate the benefits and detriments of the proposed Home 
Occupation to the surrounding neighborhood and seek to 
minimize negative impacts. 
Note: Any sale of food prepared in non-commercial kitchens is 
prohibited. NJ Law requires that any/all food offered for sale be 
prepared in a Licensed Commercial Kitchen.
Home-based Businesses
If you plan to invest in residential rental property in Morristown, there are a few things you need to know. 
Before any residential property sale is completed, the seller must submit a Residential Property Sale Application.  This 
will include obtaining a Certificate of Habitability (CH) from the Property Maintenance Division and a Zoning Review 
from the Zoning Office.  Both help protect you from “buyers’ remorse” code compliance issues down the road.
As a landlord, prior to each new tenancy you must submit a Residential Tenancy Change Application and a Fires 
Safety Certification form to obtain a Certificate of Habitability (CH) for each unit you are renting. In addition, the 
State of New Jersey requires Landlord Registration within 30 days of taking ownership of or creating new rental 
housing. Only owner-occupied, 2-unit buildings are exempt from  Landlord Registration.
•	
1 or 2 residential units, not owner-occupied must file Landlord Registration with the Municipal Clerk. 
•	
3 or more residential units - file Landlord Registration with the Bureau of Housing Inspections in the NJ Dept. 
of Community Affairs (DCA).  DCA will send a copy of the files statement to the Morristown Clerk for the public 
record.
Morristown has Rent Control 
If your home or multi-family dwelling was built before 1981 you must register with Rent Leveling within 30 days 
of renting out your first unit and annually thereafter. Morristown’s Rent Control Ordinance has a De-control/Re-
control provision which applies to all such properties. This applies even if you are renting out your own single-family 
home in your absence.  Only owner-occupied, 1-to-4 unit buildings are exempt from Rent Control Registration.
Residential Rentals


THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN
9 
Morristown’s Fire Marshal, located at the Speedwell Avenue Fire Department headquarters, is your partner for 
ensuring fire safety. That is why every business owner is required to register with the Fire Prevention Bureau within 
30 days of commercial occupancy. Commercial Building Fire Safety Registration ensures that the Fire Marshal has 
your business’ current emergency contact information, alarm company information, clear Fire Lanes and access to 
your up-to-date Key Box. Building plans may also be requested to assist firefighters at high-occupancy locations.  
Each space will be inspected by a Fire Inspector as per the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.  Once a business has been 
found to be in full compliance, a “Certificate of Inspection” is issued and shall be posted in a conspicuous place that 
can be seen at all times.
All Life Hazard Uses (i.e. schools, nursing homes, daycares, gas/auto repair/auto body shops, places of assembly and 
large retailers) must be inspected annually and must be registered with the State and the Town.  Life Hazard Use is 
defined as the use of a building or structure that may constituted a potential risk to human life, public welfare or 
firefighters. 
Note: one and two-family homes in which the owner resides are inspected by the Property Maintenance Division.
Fire Safety & Your Business
Fire Safety Permits 
Fire Safety Permits are issued by the Fire Prevention Bureau, following an inspection, for such items 
as kitchen suppression systems, bonfires, welding and cutting torch usage and the storage of flammable 
materials. Please complete and submit the Fire Safety Permit application along with a check for the 
appropriate fee and mail or bring it to the Morristown Fire Marshall, 161 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown 
NJ  07960.  All establishments serving beverages/food submit the Fire Department Registration for Eating/
Drinking Establishments.
Key Boxes 
The Fire Marshal may require a key box (sometimes called “Knox Box”) to be installed when a property is 
protected by an automatic alarm system, when access to or within the premises is unduly difficult because of 
secured openings, and where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or firefighting purposes.
The key box shall be of a type and installed in a location approved by the Fire Marshal.  It must contain:
1.	 Keys to locked points of ingress, whether in the interior or exterior of such buildings;
2.	 Keys to locked mechanical equipment rooms;
3.	 Keys to locked electrical rooms;
4.	 Keys to elevator controls;
5.	 Keys to such other areas as are directed by the Fire Marshal.


THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN
10 
Each commercial establishment is responsible for handling and removal of garbage and recyclables pursuant to Local 
Code and State Health Regulation.  The Town of Morristown does not provide these services. Regulations include but 
are not limited to:
Solid Waste
•	
No refuse, recycling or other waste generated by a business shall be placed or stored on any public 
street or sidewalk, except that waste for removal may be placed curbside no more than 2 hours prior 
to scheduled pick up.  Covered, leak-proof containers must be used. (Local Code 19-3).
•	
Curbside public receptacles are not to be used for commercial nor household waste.
Recycling is Mandatory
•	
All commercial establishments must separate designated recyclables from all other solid waste. 
For more information, please see Local Code 19:7.6 through 19:8 or contact Public Works.
•	
Food service establishments are required to collect and recycle grease and/or cooking oil and 
maintain records as required. 
•	
New developments of commercial properties over 1,000 square feet and/or multi-family (3+ units) 
must provide a recycling plan when applying for the mandatory Certificate of Occupancy.
•	
Your annual Recycling Tonnage Report form must be supplied to the Town by January 31st.  
Garbage and Recycling
Parking for Customers and Employees
Parking is plentiful in Morristown. Our modern curbside meters ensure turnover of spaces so that your customers 
get a convenient spot.  For longer term visitors and employees, off-street lots and parking garages are just a short walk 
away.  Most are operated by the Morristown Parking Authority. Contact the MPA about cost-saving employee parking 
permits and customer parking validation programs.  There are additional decks for paid parking at the NJTransit 
train station and the Headquarters Plaza complex.
If your business is in a mixed-use residential district, your street may have 2-hour curbside parking during the workday. 
We encourage you to contact the MPA if you have special requests or questions. The Town takes its enforcement 
obligation seriously; parking regulations are in place to make sure this valuable resource is available to all.  


THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN
11 
The Town strives to create a vibrant, safe and clean environment.  Every property owner and commercial tenant is 
responsible for maintaining the sidewalks and tree wells in front of their establishment.    
•	
Your sidewalks must be swept and/or washed daily and kept in good repair. 
•	
Chewing gum and cigarette butts are litter and must be disposed of as such.
•	
The tree wells adjacent to your location must be kept free of litter including cigarette butts.
•	
Snow and ice must be cleared from sidewalk and walkways within 12 hours after each storm. Morristown 
takes pedestrian safety seriously. Failure to shovel generates a Payable Summons of $100 for the first ticket, 
$124 for the second.  A third ticket requires a court appearance and carries a fine up to $500.
Property Maintenance
Tree-lined streets entice customers to shop and dine in Morristown.  Contact our volunteer Shade Tree Commission 
and professional arborist if you have questions about the health of any Town tree.  Street trees are valuable public 
property and protected as such; posting notices, tying ribbons and locking bicycles to trees is not permitted.  If you 
are planning construction near any public trees, Morristown’s Tree Protection Standards must be followed. New tree 
plantings may also be available upon request.
Street Trees
Morristown offers downtown living in the midst of our thriving business district. Please see Chapter 3-1 Police 
Regulations of the Morristown Code for complete details.  Restrictions include but are not limited to:
•	
The Considerate Curfew - No deliveries by truck/equipment and no collection of garbage/recycling between 10 
p.m. and 6 a.m. for any commercial property located within 200’ in any direction of the property line of any 
residence or residential building.
•	
Knox Box - If your business has a Fire Alarm, it must be registered with the Morristown Fire Bureau and a 
Key Box provided on the outside of the premises so that any alarm can be investigated even when the premises 
are vacant.
•	
“Keep it Down, Please” - It shall be unlawful for a person to make, cause or permit to be made or caused upon 
any premises owned, occupied or controlled by him, or upon any public street, alley or thoroughfare within the 
Town, any disturbing or unnecessary noise or sound, by means of a manual, mechanical or electronic device 
or by any other means or methods which are physically annoying to persons or which are so harsh, prolonged, 
unnatural or unusual in their use or time or place of their occurrence as to cause physical discomfort or 
mental upset or which endanger the lives, health, peace and comfort of the inhabitants of the Town. (1980 
Code § 140-1; Ord. No. O-28-2014).  
•	
Cut the Engine - NJ State Law limits idling of vehicles to 3 minutes.  Please help keep the air clean and the 
shopping environment pleasant.  Let your delivery vehicle drivers, tour operators and parents bringing 
students to any school know about this State law. 
Noise Control


THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN
12 
Since pre-Revolutionary times, Morristown has been a center for “history in the making”. 
You can leverage this history and associated tourism events to draw customers. 
Our advisory Historic Preservation Commission is on call to help you enhance the value of your façade and property. 
Resources include:
•	
Morris Tourism Bureau
•	
Morristown Library Historical Digital Collection
•	
Historic Properties Design Guidelines
This manual provides generalized historical, architectural, and preservation guidelines for the community. 
This manual was funded by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation through the Morristown Partnership and 
prepared by Westfield Architects & Preservation Consultants.
•	
Central Business District Façade Design Guidelines  
The Morristown Partnership is the management entity for the Special Improvement District (SID) in downtown 
Morristown. Here you can view the general boundaries of the SID. Morristown Partnership’s mission is to help 
Morristown achieve its full potential as a premier community in which to live, work, play shop and do business. If 
you are seeking a location, planning your grand opening, or need other assistance call (973) 455-1133 or email Jennifer 
Wehring, Executive Director,  jwehring@morristown-nj.org. 
Since 1994, Morristown Partnership has continuously supported the resurgence of downtown Morristown through 
economic development initiatives in areas of redevelopment, business recruitment and retention, marketing, 
promotions, events and capital improvement projects. 
Along with recruiting and sustaining businesses, the Partnership maintains a social media presence, gathers district 
data, and connects business owners to one another. All member properties and businesses are eligible to receive 
these services. Please apply to have your business listed in the Partnership’s Business Directory via their website, 
www.morristown-nj.org.
Morristown Partnership
History in the Making