Starting a Business in Enfield

The goal of the Development Services Department in the Town of Enfield is to assist you in every step of the way to see your project succeed. The Town has an administrative review team that can guide your business in addressing any concerns from the onset pertaining to planning, zoning, fire, building, health, engineering, water pollution control, police and traffic safety, public works and legal. Please refer to the steps below to help navigate you through starting a business here in Enfield.

Step one: Contact the Deputy Director of Economic & Community Development

To start, schedule a meeting with Enfield’s Deputy Director of Economic & Community Development, Nelson Tereso, to discuss possibilities for your business and answer any questions you may have about the process and advisement on how to proceed. Call (860) 253-6391 or email ntereso@enfield.org.

Step two: Plan Your Business

Starting a business involves planning, making key financial decisions and completing a series of legal activities.  New business owners should also conduct market research, a valuable process of gathering information about potential customers and businesses already operating in Enfield and will inform you if there is opportunity to turn your ideas into a successful business. It is essential to develop a business plan to demonstrate the legitimacy of your business idea.  The U.S. Small Business Administration's Guide on how to create a business plan is a very useful tool.  The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) can provide expert counseling and no cost or low-cost workshops.  To work with an expert counselor at the SBDC, you can fill out a Request for Assistance Form.  In addition, counseling and assistance are available from the State Department of Economic and Community Development in Hartford.

The North Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization available to business owners, and dedicated to providing advocacy, education, networking and development opportunities to foster success.  They provide access to workshops hosted by Connecticut’s Small Business Administration and programs developed by Capital Workforce Partners.

Step three: Choose a location

Choosing a proper site is important for the success of your business.  The location of your facilities and proposed use must comply with Zoning Regulations and building codes. Please refer to Enfield’s Zoning Map to determine the appropriate location for your business.  If you have any questions regarding zoning and permitted uses in the Town of Enfield, our Planning & Zoning Department is available to answer them.

Additionally, the Connecticut Economic Resource Center's SiteFinder can help you find available properties in Enfield.

Step four: Coordinate an Administrative Review Team Meeting

We welcome and promote early discussions with our clients to determine the requirements for a project from the onset. Our Administrative Review Team (A.R.T.) brings various Town officials together such that the client is fully informed prior to any engineering or surveying.  If your business requires development of a new building, expansion of an existing building and/or significant site work, Planning, Zoning or Wetlands permits may be required.  We also welcome a final review prior to submittal of any Town land use application in order to minimize review time before the Commissions.  This is a free service.  Please call the Planning Department at (860) 253-6363 to schedule an A.R.T. or with any other land use/zoning questions. 

Step five: Building Inspection & Permits

The Building Inspection Department reviews building plans for code compliance, issues building permits, and performs construction inspections, while our Fire Marshals perform fire alarm/suppression inspections. Remodeling, repair, demolition, and new construction cannot be started at your business until permits have been acquired.  Our Building Inspection team does offer flexibility in phasing in building permit approvals and inspections to meet the needs and demands of your project. 

Once your property gets final occupancy approval, you are ready to open for business! For building code questions, please call the Building Inspection Department at (860) 253-6370.

Congratulations, and welcome to Enfield!