If you are opening a new business, there are some steps that you need to take to make your transitions easier and to comply with local and state codes and ordinances.
New Business Quick Start Guide
All businesses operating in the Town of Atlantic Beach must obtain a Business Registration before opening.
Required Steps
- Zoning & Building Approval: Contact Planning & Inspections to confirm the business use and determine if building or operational inspections are required.
252-726-4456 • planner2@atlanticbeach-nc.com - Fire Safety Compliance: Businesses require a fire inspection prior to opening.
252-726-7361 • deputychief@atlanticbeach-nc.com - Water Setup: Submit Utilities application to Town Hall; deposits and impact fees may apply.
252-726-1366 • waterbilling@atlanticbeach-nc.com - Carteret County Environmental Health Approval: All businesses are required to obtain Environmental Health approval.
252-728-8499 • EHcustomerservice@carteretcountync.gov - Submit Business Registration Application & Fee: Submit fully completed form and payment after required approvals are obtained to Town Hall. Business Registration Fee: $20 (plus ABC fees if applicable)
Special Note: Food and Alcoholic Beverages
If your business involves serving food, please remember to contact the Carteret County Health Department by calling 252-728-8550. If your business involves alcoholic beverages, please remember to contact the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement by calling 252-514-4720. A State permit must be obtained from the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission. Prior to the returning the Local Government Opinion to Town Hall for the Mayor’s signature, the ABC inspection form must be completed and attached to the Local Government Opinion form.
Food Trucks and Temporary / Mobile Vendors in Atlantic Beach are considered peddlers/itinerant merchants and are prohibited in the city limits.
Article V, Section 9-91 prohibits peddling, as defined below. Essentially, whether in a food truck, pushcart, or a table under a canopy, it is prohibited to sell from any device outside of a permanent building that meets building code for that type of occupancy, whether on private or public property. There are two exceptions to this:
- We have solicited them so peddlers and solicitors are allowed at outdoor events, races, festivals or concerts on public or private property that are sponsored, co-sponsored or approved in writing by the town council, and
- Peddler may be on the premises of private condominium, multifamily, or hotel properties located within the Circle Development District (CDD), General Business (GB), Resort Services (RS) and Community Business (CB) zoning districts where they only sell prepared food to residents, tenants, and guests of that facility and are not to advertise their products or services in any manner that they can be viewed from public streets.
“Peddler means any person who shall carry or transport from place to place any goods, wares or merchandise, and who offers to sell or barter the same, or actually sells or barters the same, or who offers for sale or sells any goods from any cart, truck, automobile or other vehicle operated over and upon the streets and highways, or from any other device other than a building meeting requirements for business and mercantile as presented in sections 405.1 and 410.1 of the state building code. Any person who separates the act of sale and delivery for the purpose of evading the provisions of this article shall be deemed a peddler.”
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Furthermore, businesses in Atlantic Beach may display their goods outdoors but they may not sell items outdoors – all transactions must occur inside the business. Example, you may display goods under a tent, but you may not pay for items without going back inside.
ARTICLE 18-4 – USE STANDARDS. 8.4.8 Accessory Uses and Structures – Outdoor Display.
Temporary outdoor display of merchandise, inventory, equipment, or similar material shall comply with the following standards:
a. Merchandise must be mobile and stored indoors overnight.
b. Merchandise display must be accessory to a principal use located on the same property.
c. All sales transactions shall take place inside the principal structure.
d. Merchandise shall not be located in or obstruct any required setback, loading space, loading area, vehicular use area, fire lane, required landscaping area, sidewalk, ADA accessibility route, or drainage easement.