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Downtown Fayetteville Resources

Starting a Business Downtown

Opening a business in downtown Fayetteville puts you at the heart of Cumberland County’s economic engine. This guide walks you through every step—cutting the red tape so you can focus on opening your doors.

Fast-Track Checklist

Section titled “Fast-Track Checklist”

1. Pick a Space + Confirm Zoning

Section titled “1. Pick a Space + Confirm Zoning”
  • Check zoning/use compatibility for your concept
  • If changing tenants or use, you’ll need a Change of Tenant/Use/Occupancy review
  • Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) before opening
Resource Link
City Permitting & Inspections fayettevillenc.gov/permitting
Change of Tenant/Use Application (PDF) Download
Change of Occupancy Consumer Guide (PDF) Download

More: Location Selection Guide

2. Line Up Utilities

Section titled “2. Line Up Utilities”

Contact Fayetteville Public Works Commission for electric, water, and wastewater service.

3. Plan Your Build-Out (If Any)

Section titled “3. Plan Your Build-Out (If Any)”
  • Pull building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits as needed
  • Schedule inspections; aim for your CO before opening day
  • Hiring a contractor? NC requires a licensed General Contractor for any project $40,000 or more (per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 87-1, raised from $30,000 by Session Law 2023-108). Verify the license before signing — see the Hiring a Build-Out Contractor guide.
Resource Link
Permit Applications List fayettevillenc.gov/permits
E-Development Portal fayetteville.idtplans.com
Hiring a Build-Out Contractor /businesses/starting/hiring-contractor

More: Permits Checklist · Hiring a Build-Out Contractor · IDTplans Portal Guide · Realistic Timeline · Change of Use

4. Signs & Historic Review

Section titled “4. Signs & Historic Review”

If your business is in downtown or a historic district, you may need a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before applying for sign permits.

Resource Link
Historic District Design Guidelines (PDF) Download
Sign Permit Application (PDF) Download

5. Outdoor Use (Sidewalk Cafe/Merchandise)

Section titled “5. Outdoor Use (Sidewalk Cafe/Merchandise)”

For downtown sidewalk dining or merchandise displays:

Permit Link
Outdoor Business Use Application (PDF) Download
Temporary Encroachment Permit (PDF) Download

6. Food, Beverage & Health (If Applicable)

Section titled “6. Food, Beverage & Health (If Applicable)”

Restaurants/Food Service:

  • Cumberland County Environmental Health handles plan review and sanitation permits
Resource Link
County Food & Lodging cumberlandcountync.gov/food-establishments
Mobile Food Unit Application (PDF) Download

Alcohol (On/Off-Premise):

Resource Link
NC ABC Retail Permit Types abc.nc.gov/retail-permits
Cumberland County ABC cumberlandabc.com/permits

7. Fire & Life Safety

Section titled “7. Fire & Life Safety”

The Fire Marshal’s Office inspects new and existing commercial occupancies. Certain uses require operational permits.

Fire Marshal’s Office: fayettevillenc.gov/fire-inspection

8. Money, Grants & Loans

Section titled “8. Money, Grants & Loans”

City programs include Business Assistance Loans, Facade/Exterior grants, and corridor programs for eligible areas.

Resource Link
City Business Resources Hub fayettevillenc.gov/business-resources
Commercial Corridor/Exterior Grant (PDF) Download

More: Funding Options Guide

9. Taxes — Know What You’ll Owe

Section titled “9. Taxes — Know What You’ll Owe”

You may owe taxes to five different agencies that don’t talk to each other. Most new owners are surprised by at least one of these:

Tax Who Rate When
Federal income + 15.3% self-employment IRS Your personal rate Quarterly + April 15
NC income tax NCDOR 3.99% (2026) April 15
NC sales tax (retail/prepared food) NCDOR 7% (8% prepared food) Monthly or quarterly
Business Personal Property ⚠️ Cumberland County $0.499/$100 List Jan 1–31 every year
Real property tax (if you own) County + City ~$0.9485/$100 combined September 1
ABC permit (if you sell alcohol) NC ABC Commission $400/permit Renew annually May 1

More: Small Business Taxes — full plain-language guide

10. Advisors & Training (Free/Low-Cost)

Section titled “10. Advisors & Training (Free/Low-Cost)”
Organization Link
CEED ncceed.org
Women’s Business Center of Fayetteville wbcfay.org
FTCC Small Business Center ncsbc.net/ftcc
Military, veteran, and military-spouse entrepreneurs Local military business resource guide
Greater Fayetteville Chamber faybiz.com

11. Launch & Promote

Section titled “11. Launch & Promote”
  • List your business in local downtown directories
  • Coordinate ribbon-cuttings and soft-open previews with the Downtown Alliance
  • Learn and participate in the Downtown Social District rules for to-go beverages

Social District guide: Downtown Social District — rules, hours, boundaries · Official map (Cool Spring)

Before You Begin

Section titled “Before You Begin”
  1. Research your market - Downtown has 200+ existing businesses
  2. Choose your business type - Different permits for different industries
  3. Find your location - Historic district has special requirements
  4. Secure funding - Multiple grant and loan programs available
  5. Get permitted - City, county, and state requirements

Universal Requirements

Section titled “Universal Requirements”
  • Register with NC Secretary of State (sosnc.gov)
  • Get Federal EIN from IRS (irs.gov)
  • Register for NC Sales Tax (ncdor.gov)
  • Contact City Development Services (910-433-1707)
  • Check if location is in Historic District (910-433-1457)

Key Contacts

Section titled “Key Contacts”
Department Phone Purpose
City Development Services 910-433-1707 Building permits, inspections
Historic Resources 910-433-1457 Certificate of Appropriateness
Economic Development 910-433-1596 Grants, loans, assistance
Downtown Development 910-433-1599 Commercial spaces, funding sources

Next Steps

Section titled “Next Steps”