Bringing Your Business to Town
The Jenkintown Community Alliance (JCA) is here to help you get your business off to a smooth start. This guide will help you navigate the process of plans, permits, and parking—and it may save you time, energy, and money. We work closely with the borough and can be a valuable resource as you start your business. We can help you learn more about the Old York Road Streetscape Plan, county and regional plans, and keep you informed of changes that would affect your business and property. Additionally the JCA can help you with resources for your business including free architectural consulting for façade work and signage, rebate programs for façade enhancements, free business announcements, and promotional opportunities. Explore our website to learn more, and give us a call at 215-517-5507 or send us an email to see how we might help you.
What You’ll Need for a New Business
The first step is to share your business plan. Come to Jenkintown Borough Hall, 700 Summit Ave. in Jenkintown, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. In order to operate a business or rental property you will need to complete the following documents:
Zoning and Use Permit Application ($25)
“Not all commercial properties are created equal.†This application ensures the type of business you plan to open is permitted at your chosen location. Prior to signing a lease, submit the Zoning and Use Application with a letter from the property owner agreeing to the intended use. Once the Zoning and Use application has been approved and you receive the following forms, you may sign a lease agreement and begin the process to open your business.
Forms you will receive upon Zoning and Use Approval:
a. The approved Zoning and Use Application.
b. Business License Application. ($10)
c. Business Privilege Tax Form.
- To be completed within forty (40) days of opening.
d. Local Service Tax Form.
- To be completed quarterly.
e. A Building and Sign Permit Application.
f. Fee Schedule for permit applications.
These forms are available at the borough’s websitewww.jenkintownboro.com For specific questions about licensing forms contact Kirsten Ames, Jenkintown Borough, at 215-885-0700 or email at Kames@jenkintownboro.com
Make sure you have all necessary permit
Permits are required for any type of work you will do to fit out your business, except for painting, carpeting and wallpapering. You can review the Borough Code, as well as view and download all business permits, applications and forms, online at jenkintownboro.com.
You will need a plan for parking
The Borough Code stipulates that you must provide for parking of employees and customers. The number of spots needed is based on the type of business and its square footage. Many businesses rent spaces from nearby churches and other property owners in order to meet the Borough quota. Since available parking is limited, the Borough is adding additional parking south of the town square. If you have a hardship in acquiring parking you may request a variance. The borough also has 3 hour and 10 hour meters available on the streets and in out lots. Meters are 25 cents/hour and are closely monitored by our parking enforcement officers.
Five Tips for Building Enhancements:
1. Discuss your plans with the Borough Building Inspector before you sign a contract with your contractor.
It is important to know that the changes you want to make to your property will be allowed under both the zoning code and the building code. Find out which permits you will need ahead of time.
2. Make sure your property is accessible.
It is important to know what, if anything, you must do to to make your property ADA accessible if it is not so already, and comply with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
3. Hire a qualified contractor
If you are using a professional contractor, be sure that he is qualified to work in Jenkintown. The contractor and subcontractors are required to have Liability Insurance and Worker’s Compensation Insurance. (Should the contractor/subcontractors not have Worker’s Compensation Insurance, they must provide a notarized Affidavit for each employee.)
4. Have a detailed, written contract.
When your permits and your contractor are lined up, be sure your contractor provides a detailed written contract with the final approved plans as an attachment. Sometimes a change order is necessary to the project. Before executing any changes, clear them with the Borough Building Inspector to be sure you are not creating violations to the building code.
5. For certain expansion, you may be increasing the demand on our sewer service that runs through the borough into Cheletenham.
An EDU is an Equivalent Dwelling Unit (generally 1 EDU equates to around 250 gallons a day) and your property’s previous usage can be determined from prior water records. For certain expansion, you may be increasing capacity on the sanitary sewer system that runs through the borough into Cheletenham Township. Currently there are EDUs available from the PA Department of Environmental Protection for the Cheltenham Sanitary Sewer System which all of Jenkintown Borough flows into. It is very important to make an appointment with Borough Staff to review the current status of this moratorium as well as how it would affect your business plan.
Answers to Common Questions
1. What is considered a business in Jenkintown?
If payments are made to you (or your organization in Jenkintown) or you get a 1099, you’re probably a business.
2. Where can I find available properties?
Properties are listed at online along with a listing of Realtors.
3. What is a business improvement district, and why is its strategic merchandising plan so important?
A business improvement district (BID) is a public-private partnership in which businesses in a defined area elect to pay an additional tax in order to fund improvements to the district’s public realm and trading environment. The Jenkintown Community Alliance (JAC) is one such district. As a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, the JCA provides marketing, sidewalk cleaning, useful trade area maps, population data, facade grants through the State, and marketing opportunities that you can take advantage of to help promote your business. Its volunteer board members and committee members represent a variety of perspectives and businesses and are available to assist you.
4. What are some tips to deal with zoning?
Have a plan and get some feedback ahead of time. If you don’t present a plan, the Borough can’t give you the input you need. Talk to the staff at borough hall before you sign a lease to rent a property. The Borough Building Inspector will want to see your plan to make your building compliant. If you run into issues please ask the Inspector if you have the ability to seek zoning variances or special exceptions.
5. Does Jenkintown provide recycling services for businesses?
Yes, the borough picks up recycling every Friday morning. You can get your bucket at Borough Hall. Batteries and fluorescent light bulbs can be brought to Borough Hall, where you can also receive additional information about recycling. Detailed information is on the Borough’s website here.
