Starting Your Business

Finding the Right Location

Still in search of the perfect location for your business? Check out our Available Commercial Properties page and map to find the right location for you and your business.

Preliminary Meeting

It may be beneficial to schedule a preliminary meeting with the Building and Planning Division to help guide you through the process. Please contact us at 847-251-1666 or community@vok.org to schedule a preliminary meeting. 

Proposed Use

Please visit Chapter 153 of the Village Code to find out if your proposed business is a permitted or special use. A permitted use is allowed without any additional approval from the Village. A special use must first receive a Special Use Permit. 

The purpose of the special use process is to ensure the proposed use is compatible with the proposed location. Once all the required materials have been submitted, a meeting will be scheduled before the Plan Commission, which will make a recommendation on the proposed use. The Village Board will consider the recommendation and decide whether or not to approve the request. For a more detailed review of the process, please see the Development Review Process. Please contact us at 847-251-1666 or community@vok.org if you have any questions about the process.  

If your proposed business is not listed in the Permitted and Special Use Table, you may require a text amendment to add the use. Please contact Patrick Brennan, Village Manager, at 847-251-1666 or Pbrennan@vok.org before submitting an application.

Letter of Intent

If your proposed business is a permitted use, please send a letter of intent (LOI) to the Village to initiate the process. The LOI should include a brief description of the business, the number of anticipated employees and customers at any given time, and hours of operation. 

Property Redevelopment

Want to perform some interior modifications to make sure your new property fits your business's needs? Visit our Building/Planning Division page, or give us a call at 847-251-1666 to find out if your project would require a permit. 

Envisioning a larger redevelopment that requires demolition, addition, or the assembly of multiple properties? Please contact Patrick Brennan, Village Manager, at 847-251-1666 or pbrennan@vok.org as your project may require the creation of a Planned Unit Development (PUD). 

Certificate of Appropriateness

A Certificate of Appropriateness is required for all permanent commercial message signs in the "B" Business District, as well as for any proposed exterior modifications to the building. Applications are reviewed by the Architectural Review Commission. Please visit the attached link for more information on the Village Sign Code and the Kenilworth Design Guidelines for the Business District.