Opening a Business Checklist

In Rock Island, it’s easy to open your business. The city staff and officials take the time to answer your questions and get you started. This list is designed to be a quick checklist to help you along the way.

Building Permits

A building or structure may not be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, converted, or demolished unless a separate building permit has been obtained from the City of Rock Island Inspection Division. Building permit fees are based on the replacement value of the construction or renovation. For information about building permits click here call 309.732.2910.

More information can be found here including a link to the Illinois Accessibility Code.

Change of Use or Type of Occupancy

The City of Rock Island Inspection Division is responsible for the regulation of changes of use or occupancy. If the most recent use of the space was for a different type of commercial use, such as converting office space to retail sales, contact Inspection Division at 309.732.2910 to discuss whether or not alterations may be required and to arrange an inspection to issue a Certificate of Occupancy.

Electrical Permits

The City of Rock Island Inspection Division is responsible for the regulation and inspection of any installation, alteration, or change of electrical wiring in the city. All individuals need to obtain an electrical permit prior to conducting electrical work. For information about electrical permits click here or call 309.732.2910.

Mechanical Permits

The City of Rock Island Inspection Division is responsible for the regulation and inspection of any design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location, operation, and maintenance or use of heating, ventilating, cooling, refrigeration systems, incinerators, and other miscellaneous heat-producing appliances. All individuals need to obtain a mechanical permit prior to conducting mechanical work. For information about mechanical permits click here or call 309.732.2910.

Plumbing Permits

The City of Rock Island Inspection Division is responsible for the regulation and inspection of any installation, alteration, or change of plumbing in residential and commercial structures. All individuals need to obtain a plumbing permit prior to conducting plumbing work. For information about plumbing permits click here or call 309.732.2910.

Coin Operated Game Machines, Video Games, or Pool Tables

A business must apply for a license for coin operated game machines, videos, or pool tables. For applications and more information please see the City of Rock Island City Clerk at City Hall,1528 Third Avenue, or call at 309.732.2010.

Construction in the Public Right-of-Way

The City of Rock Island Public Works Department is responsible for the regulation and inspection of construction in the public right-of-way. For more information regarding construction, such as concrete flatwork or excavation in the public right-of-way, call the City of Rock Island Public Works at 309.732.2200.

Fire Inspection

In a proactive attempt to ensure the safety of structures, the City of Rock Island Fire Department conducts annual fire inspections of all commercial properties. For more information please contact the Fire Marshall at 309.732.2800.

Food and/or Beverage Sales

An annual food and beverage license is required for all food service establishments and retail food stores operating in the City of Rock Island and is issued by the Health Inspector. For information on food and beverage licenses click here or call 309.732.2915.

Fuel Tax

The City of Rock Island charges a user tax of $.01 on retail and bulk purchases of motor fuel within the city. (For example, a trucking company with its own fuel tanks would be a bulk fuel user.) See the City of Rock Island Finance Department at City Hall (first floor) for the appropriate forms or call 309.732.2000.

Garbage Collection

The business is responsible for contracting with a private garbage collection firm to secure a dumpster or garbage pickup. There are several competitive companies that offer this service.

Gas and Electric Service

Electric and natural gas service is provided by MidAmerican Energy. Contact them by calling 1.800.329.6261. If the services have been turned off for several months, contact the City of Rock Island Inspection Division for a utility turn-on inspection at 309.732.2910.

Hazardous Materials Permit

The City of Rock Island requires businesses that handle, use, make, sell, generate, or store hazardous materials or hazardous wastes, to obtain a permit. During the fire department’s annual fire inspection this year, a short inventory will be taken of the types and quantities of material on your premises. From this assessment a hazardous material fee will be generated. For more information click here or call the Fire Marshall at 309.732.2800.

Historic Preservation

Rock Island has many historic buildings and some are local landmarks. If you have questions about how to restore a building click here or contact the City of Rock Island Planning & Redevelopment Division at 309.732.2900.

Internet and/or Cable

There are many Internet providers in town to meet your needs with phone line, broadband, and wireless connections. Mediacom is the local cable provider.

J.U.L.I.E. (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators)

Anytime you plan to dig, whether it's a small or a large construction please call 48 hours prior to digging. JULIE will notify the owners/operators of underground facilities who are JULIE members of this planned digging activity and the areas will be marked. Contact JULIE at 1.800.892.0123.

Land Use Regulations

Rock Island has had zoning and land use regulations in place for more than 60 years. If your property needs to be rezoned from residential use to commercial, so a business use can locate there, City staff can assist you with this process.

A Zoning Variance is necessary when a proposed development cannot comply with the applicable zoning regulations. For example, problems such as exceptional narrowness, inadequate depth, or irregular shape would be considered impractical conditions, which may require a Zoning Variance.

A Special Use Permit is necessary when a resident wishes to use his/her property for a purpose that is not permitted in a particular zoning district.

The procedures used to apply for a Special Use Permit, Zoning Variance, or Rezoning are all very similar. The primary difference is who reviews the application.

Applications for a Special Use Permit are reviewed directly by the City Council.
An application for a Zoning Variance is reviewed by the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), with the BZA making the final decision.
Rezoning applications are reviewed by the Planning Commission with the City Council making the final decision.

For more information on land use regulations or for applications please click here or call the City of Rock Island Planning & Redevelopment Division at 309.732.2900.

The City of Rock Island Zoning Ordinance is available online here.

Liquor License

Liquor licenses are required for businesses planning to sell alcohol, wine, or beer. The mayor is the liquor commissioner. For a liquor license application see the mayor’s secretary at City Hall, or call 309.732.2012.

Occupancy Limit

The occupancy limit needs to be visibly posted for most commercial uses. For more information contact the City of Rock Island Fire Marshal at 309.732.2800.

Ordinances

The City of Rock Island Code of Ordinances is available online here. If you have questions about an ordinance, please contact the City Clerk at 309.732.2210.

Parking

For information about required parking for a business, please contact the City of Rock Island Planning & Redevelopment Division at 309.732.2900 or stop by City Hall (second floor).

The downtown parking system is designed to serve the needs of the local business customers, tourists, and downtown employees. The goal of the system is to maintain a fair balance between all of these competing needs. For information about downtown parking including maps, city parking ramp, and parking permits click here or call the City of Rock Island at 309.732.2000.

Parks & Rec

The Rock Island Fitness & Activity Center (RIFAC) has employee membership programs that provide a discounted fee for qualifying businesses. For more information call 309.732.RIFC.

Police

The City of Rock Island Police Department has a security awareness program designed to reduce the incidence of crime by having a police officer assist local businesses locate security weaknesses, then offer practical suggestions for correcting them. To make an appointment, call 309.732.2400.

Property Taxes

There are three main townships in the City of Rock Island – Rock Island Township, South Rock Island Township, and Blackhawk Township. To learn what your property tax assessment would be, contact the township assessor or click here to do a property search. For a listing of township assessors click here.

Registering a Business

A business needs to register if it is under an assumed name – using any name other than your last name – at the Rock Island County Clerk’s Office. Visit them at 1504 Third Avenue (first floor) or call 309.786.4451 for more information.

Sales Tax

The amount of sales tax collected in the City of Rock Island is 7% for purchases of retail items and services. Call the Department of Revenue at 1.800.732.8866 or click here for tax papers and other tax information.

In addition, a 1% sales tax needs to be paid for all prepared food and beverages. See the City of Rock Island Finance Department at City Hall (first floor) for the appropriate forms or call 309.732.2000.

Signs

A business should submit their new sign for review to the City of Rock Island Planning & Redevelopment Division and Inspection Division. Please call 309.732.2900 or stop by City Hall (second floor). The sign must comply with the Sign Ordinance and a business needs to obtain a permit from the Inspection Division.

The City of Rock Island Sign Ordinance is available online here.

Storm Water Control

The City of Rock Island Public Works Department is responsible for the regulation and inspection of storm water control functions as they pertain to new construction and other land disturbing activities citywide. For more information regarding the management of sediment and post construction detention requirements click here or call the City of Rock Island Public Works at 309.732.2200.

Storm Water Utilities

All developed properties in Rock Island, except public streets, will pay a Storm Water Utility charge based upon an estimate of the property’s impervious area. These are usually hard surfaced features such as rooftops, driveways, sidewalks, patios, parking lots, and awnings. For more information click here or call City of Rock Island Public Works at 309.732.2200.

Tax Information

Call the Department of Revenue at 1.800.732.8866 or click here for tax papers, tax ID number, or other tax information.

Telecommunications

Major local telecommunications service providers include SBC and McLeod USA.

Water and Sewer

The City of Rock Island Public Works Department is responsible for operating many of the water and sewer functions within the City of Rock Island. Water service may be initiated or terminated at City Hall (first floor) or by calling 309.732.2000. For more information on water and sewer click here.