Small Business Support

City Hall Annex

Interested in opening a business in Warwick? It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. While much of the information regarding the steps referenced below is available to the public online, we encourage you to contact the departments identified in this checklist directly as well to ensure that you have all of the information you’ll need and that all of your questions are answered.

The City’s Department of Economic Development is also available to answer any questions you may have, to help you identify suitable properties, and to help you navigate municipal processes. Please email econ.dir@warwickri.com for more information or call (401) 738-2014 to discuss your needs.

 

What steps do I need to take?

Check with the Secretary of State's Office
Some businesses are required to obtain a license from the State of Rhode Island prior to opening, and, if you plan to sell anything, you will need to obtain a state permit to charge sales tax. Visit the Secretary of State’s website to learn more about requirements and for resources.

Confirm how the parcel is zoned
Make sure to check how the parcel is zoned to determine if your proposed business is an allowed use. The City’s Zoning Ordinance specifies what uses are allowed or prohibited in each zone, or whether you will need to obtain Zoning Board of Review approval for a Special Use Permit to establish your business on the property. We also encourage you to contact the Zoning Office to determine any zoning history on the property, if applicable.
The City’s Web GIS offers a wealth of information, including parcel identification, easements, zoning, flood zones, City Council lines, watersheds, and much more for residents and businesses. To find the zoning of a parcel, go to the bar at the top right of the main page to search by address, parcel ID, or owner, then click “unofficial Zoning” in the Layers list on the left, and click on the blue arrow to access the zoning color key. The Zoning Office can be reached at (401) 738-2007 ext. 4.

Contact the Planning Department
Commercial and residential projects require some type of review from the Planning Department and/or approval from the Planning Board. The level of review depends on the size and scale of the project. Components that are reviewed include parking, signage, landscaping, setbacks, use, etc. This process can also determine if any type of dimensional relief will be needed from the Zoning Board of Review.
Click here for the City's development review regulations, or contact the Planning Department at (401) 738-2009.

Determine if you need building permits
Building permits are required for new commercial property structures, additions, installations, reconstruction and replacements. The City’s online permitting system provides a convenient way to apply. Please click here to access the e-permitting system and select the appropriate option(s).
Please be advised that some projects require the engagement of a registered professional architect to prepare necessary plans and specifications for the project. Some projects also require review by multiple municipal departments, such as fire, sewer, engineering, water, etc. A new business that is deemed a “change of use” in a building will need to comply with state-mandated handicapped-accessibility codes. Questions? Please call the Building Department at (401) 738-2007.

Contact the Warwick Licensing Division
Licensing is a division of the Warwick Police Department and processes by appointment license and permit requests, the majority of which go before the Board of Public Safety for review. For your convenience, the Licensing Division has created a comprehensive list of applications, permits, and forms, which can be found here. If you would like to make an appointment, please call (401) 468-4340 or email licensing@warwickri.com.

 

Some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How long will it take for my business to be up and running?
The complexity of your proposal will determine the length of time for the process. It may take only a few weeks for some projects to get licensing and other approvals. Development projects that are determined to be a Major Land Development require the most time and involve pre-application meetings, Planning Board Master Plan, Preliminary Plan and administrative Final Plan approvals, and, in some cases, Zoning Board approval. If a zone change is also involved in a project, two approvals from the City Council are required. In some instances, the Planning Department may request that a developer hold a neighborhood meeting prior to the beginning of an approval process.  

I’m just starting the process of identifying a suitable location for my business. How can I find out what’s available for lease/sale?
The City’s economic development website, movetowarwickri.com, offers listings provided by Commercial Exchange, a national commercial real estate marketplace powered by Catylist.
The City’s Economic Development Department can also assist with your search. Please email econ.dir@warwickri.com for more information or call (401) 738-2014 or to discuss your needs.

How much do building permits cost?
Permit fees are state mandated and the current project valuation fee schedule is as follows:

$1 to $10,000                          $10.00 per $1,000 (see NOTE below for minimum fee)
From $10,001 to $50,000       $100 + $8.00 per $1,000 exceeding $10K
From $50,001 to no limit        $420 + $6.00 per $1,000 exceeding $50K

NOTE: $75.00 minimum fee

*Must also add $1.00 (or .001) per thousand of the Project Valuation for the State of Rhode Island CE/ADA fee*
**For projects with a value of over $100,000, 1/3 of the permit fee is due upon plan submittal.

What is Warwick’s tax rate?
The City’s Fiscal Year begins on July 1 of each year and ends on June 30 of the following year.
FY2024 starts July 1, 2023 and ends June 30, 2024. Tax rates* are as follows:

Residential Real Estate - $14.19 (down from $18.73)
Commercial Real Estate - $24.83 (down from $28.10)
Personal Property - Tangible - $37.46
Motor Vehicles – The Motor Vehicle Tax has been eliminated.

*All rates are per $1,000 of assessment

What are other local fees I might encounter?
Fees assessed vary from project to project, depending on what the proposal entails. Please note, there may be additional fees associated with State approvals.

For Licensing fees, click here and then click on the type of license you’re applying for to see the fee. Certain types of licenses also carry an advertising fee of $115 (this is noted on the application) and costs of notification to abutting properties.
For Zoning Board fees, click here. For Zone Change fees, click here.
In certain instances, a state-mandated Trade Name Certificate may be required. Click here to access the application. Registration fee is $10.

How do I request a Zoning Certificate?
Zoning Certificates are available through the Zoning Office. The fee for each zoning certificate is presently $100 for commercial or multi-family dwellings, and $50.00 for single family dwelling. A minimum of fifteen (15) business days is required to process this request. Click here to access the form online. You may also call the Zoning Office at (401) 738-2007, ext. 4 to have the form mailed to you.

OTHER RESOURCES

State of Rhode Island Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) Program

State of Rhode Island Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) & Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Program

U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) & Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Program

RI Commerce Small Business Assistance Program
This program helps entrepreneurs and small businesses that are having difficulty obtaining adequate credit from traditional lending organizations. The program focuses on women- and minority-owned enterprises, as well as those in Rhode Island’s underserved communities. The program partners with the following organizations to provide direct loans to businesses.

Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber also supports the SCORE and the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center's programs, through which you may be eligible for up to 10 hours of free business counseling.
To schedule appointments, click here for SCORE and here for SBDC.

U.S. Small Business Administration Rhode Island District Office
Click here for their business development guide.
Their National Resource Guide is available in English and Spanish and copies of each are posted at the bottom of this page.

Rhode Island Secretary of State's Office
Click here to access their Business Assistant tool. Once you’re on the page, click on the “Start Business Assistant” green bar toward the right. That takes you through a step-by-step questionnaire about your business and, at the end, they give you a start-up task list to help you with the process.

SCORE Resource Library
The SCORE website connects directly to English and Spanish language educational resources, which include templates, e-guides, checklists, blogs, infographics, videos, tools, and other materials made specifically for small business owners. 

Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England

Rhode Island Commerce Corporation

ASCENT
The Small Business Administration's Ascent program is a free, online learning platform meant to help women entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. It takes a multi-media approach to online learning, featuring videos, worksheets, infographics, insights, and more - and it continues to grow. Accounts are free. 

Internal Revenue Service

Disaster Preparedness for Small Businesses Guide

Shop Local Rhode Island was created at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic by Visual Thrive to provide a digital platform to help Rhode Island businesses survive during such an unprecedented time. It has since evolved from a comprehensive business directory to a fully operational online marketplace that showcases Rhode Island products and services. The site also allows business owners to create their own profile!