Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need a City Business License?

No general city “privilege” business license is required.

NC law ended local privilege license taxes in 2015, and the state repealed most professional privilege licenses in 2024. However:

Sales & Use tax registration is still required through NC Department of Revenue
Specialized licenses/permits may still apply:
- Beer & wine retail permits (through NC ABC)
- Peddlers/seasonal merchant permits
- Mobile food vendor permits
State and federal registrations are still required (EIN, NC Secretary of State)

Who Do I Call First?

The answer depends on what you need:

Need	Contact	Phone
Program guidance & referrals	Downtown Development / Economic & Community Development	910-433-1599
Zoning, permits, Certificate of Occupancy	Development Services - Permitting & Inspections	910-433-1707
Help triaging your concept	Downtown Alliance (DTA)	Contact DTA

I’m Opening a Restaurant. What’s Different?

Restaurants have additional requirements beyond the standard business permits:

Food Service

Cumberland County Environmental Health - Plan review and sanitation permits required
Contact: 910-433-3600
Food & Lodging Info

Alcohol (If Serving)

NC ABC Commission - Retail permits for on-premise or off-premise sales
Cumberland County ABC - Local permit coordination
Food sales must be 30%+ of revenue for restaurant ABC permits

Utilities

Grease trap/utility sizing - Coordinate with PWC (910-483-1382)

Fire & Safety

Fire occupancy load and egress review required
Contact Fire Marshal’s Office

If Using Outdoor Space

Sidewalk cafe permit - Outdoor Business Use application
Social District compliance - If serving to-go alcoholic beverages

What If I’m Just Changing Tenants With No Construction?

Even without construction, you may still need:

Change of Tenant/Use review - Verifies the new use is permitted at that location
Inspections - Ensures the space meets current code for your business type
New Certificate of Occupancy (CO) - Required before you can legally operate

How Long Does the Permit Process Take?

Timelines vary based on complexity:

Situation	Typical Timeline
Simple change of tenant (no construction)	2-4 weeks
Minor build-out (cosmetic changes)	4-6 weeks
Major renovation	8-12 weeks
Historic District (add COA review)	+2-4 weeks
Food service (add health permits)	+2-4 weeks
ABC permits	6-8 weeks

Can I Stack Multiple Funding Sources?

Yes! Many city programs can be combined:

Business Assistance Loan + Bank Loan
Facade Grant + Building Rehabilitation Tax Credits
City Programs + State/Federal Programs

Contact Economic Development (910-433-1596) to discuss stacking strategies for your project.

What If I Want to Use Outdoor Space for Dining or Sales?

Downtown sidewalks are public property, so you’ll need:

Outdoor Business Use Permit - Annual permit for sidewalk dining/merchandise
5-foot clearance requirement - Must maintain pedestrian passage
Temporary Encroachment Permit - If extending beyond standard area

If participating in the Downtown Social District (to-go alcoholic beverages):

Follow designated hours and boundaries
Use approved cups with Social District branding

Do I Need to Be in the Historic District?

The Historic District includes much of downtown Fayetteville but not all of it.

To find out if your location is in the Historic District:

Call Historic Resources: 910-433-1457
Check the Historic District Map

If you ARE in the Historic District:

Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) required for exterior changes
Sign designs must meet historic guidelines
Paint colors require approval
Review adds 2-4 weeks to your timeline
You may qualify for historic tax credits (a benefit!)