NICE DOING
BUSINESS WITH YOU.
A guide to doing business in Shaker Heights.
FORWARD
THINKING
REQUIRES WE
TAKE A FEW
STEPS BACK.
A hundred years ago, Shaker Heights was conceived as
a residential community like no other – a model for other
cities to emulate for generations. Now Shaker Heights
reinvents itself as a place not only to live but also to work.
A place where commercial districts are as singular and
amazing as the homes that surround them. Why do we
think that Shaker Heights can succeed in making such a
substantive change? Because of the people who live here.
It is our drive, creativity and vision that will propel us.
Shaker Heights
2020
Your new office.
We’re putting our money
where your future is.
The Shaker Vision Fund
Targeted to established, growing businesses ready to
move into office space in Shaker Heights, this program
offers a forgivable loan for tenant improvements and
equipment purchases based on income/payroll taxes
the City will collect over a three to five year period.
Your favorite
painting here.
Your dad’s hammer.
Note to self: give back
someday.
Last year’s financial records,
and your record collection.
You’ve got clients coming
out of the woodwork.
The space you always
dreamed of.
We want you to grow here.
The Shaker Ignition Fund
A microfinance fund from the City and microfinance experts
helps individuals start and expand small businesses in Shaker
Heights. Use up to $15,000 for capital purchases and tenant
improvements today and make no payments until the business
has been operating for a year.
An office away from
the office.
The City’s microfinance partners complete regular visits or
phone calls to assess client challenges and to offer appropriate
assistance. In short, we do whatever it takes to help the
entrepreneur’s business succeed, and to enable it to qualify for
traditional financing when the time comes.
Double shot, skinny
mocha, hold the whip.
Opening a business is both exciting and stressful. We are going to
make it as easy as possible for you to do business in Shaker Heights.
TEAR DOWN
A COUPLE OF
WALLS.
BUILD UP YOUR
BUSINESS.
FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS
1
Find the right location for your business. Consult the City’s available commercial properties list at shakeronline.com.
2
Call up the folks in our Planning Department. They will confirm whether your business is an
approved use for the location you’ve chosen or if not, they will advise you of the zoning guidelines.
3
Submit a biennial commercial occupancy permit application with a set of plans to the City’s Building Department.
4
Schedule a commercial occupancy inspection of the property to include the City’s Building, Fire and Health departments well in advance of your move in date.
FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE RULES
•
Renovation of the space or a change of building use both require architectural drawings and a plan review. This will add time to your schedule.
•
Most exterior and interior construction projects require permits. Call the Building Department for specifics.
Need help? The Economic Development Department is happy to help at any point in the process.
Contact us at economic.development@shakeronline.com or 216.491.1334.
Resources
The Economic Development Department
The Fire Department
The Economic Development Department is your
main point of contact with the City. We will help you
find the right location for your business and guide
you through the City’s permitting and approval
processes.
economic.development@shakeronline.com
216.491.1334
The Fire Department promotes life and property
safety by administering the provisions of the Ohio
Fire Code and the Fire Prevention Code and related
codes and ordinances of the City of Shaker Heights.
Staff conducts plan reviews and inspects new,
renovated and existing properties for compliance
with these codes as well as providing guidance to
you for achieving compliance.
The Planning Department
fire@shakeronline.com
216.491.1200
The Planning Department staffs boards and
commissions charged with preserving the aesthetic
quality and character of Shaker Heights. The staff
will guide you through any required approvals from
the Architectural Board of Review, City Planning
Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals for
exterior improvements, zoning and site usage.
planning@shakeronline.com
216.491.1430
The Building Department
The Building Department is charged with maintaining
the safety and superior quality of Shaker’s buildings.
The staff issues occupancy permits and construction
permits after reviewing plans for building
improvements and conducts inspections throughout
the project.
building@shakeronline.com
216.491.1460
The Health Department
The Health Department licenses food service
operations and retail food establishments within the
City. The department also conducts plan reviews on
new food facilities to ensure that proper codes are
followed.
health@shakeronline.com
216.491.1482
SHAKER HEIGHTS 2020
work-live-shakerheights.com