BRADLEY BEACH SMALL BUSINESS GUIDE 2023

Bradley Beach Small Business Guide

Maintaining and Opening a Business in Bradley Beach…………….. 1

Helpful Forms for Businesses…….……………………..……...…….……….. 2

Operating Tips- Zoning and Property Maintenance……………………3

Small Business Grants…………………………….…………………….…………..4

Additional Resources……………………………….……….….……..…………    4-5

Important Contact Information    …………………....…………………………6

Business Plan Template……………………………………..……....…………….  7

Maintaining a Business in Bradley Beach 

Annual requirements for current businesses:

Mercantile Licenses must be  renewed yearly by December 31 with a fee of at least $65*, depending on the type of your business.  Late fee penalty of $10 assessed for all renewals not received by January 1. 

Fire Registration and Tourism Fees are required yearly. 

Outdoor Cafe Licenses are required to be renewed yearly . To apply, both a current satisfactory inspection from Monmouth County Board of Health and a current Mercantile  License  issued by the Borough Clerk’s office are necessary. $65* initial application fee plus $1 per square foot of outdoor area utilized will be applied if approved.  In the second and all subsequent applications for Outdoor Cafe Licensing, a $2 per square foot fee will be applied. Outdoor use permitted from April 1-December 1, barring special circumstance waivers/amendments.

Mercantile and Outdoor Cafe Licenses may be renewed through the Borough Clerk’s office. 

Sign or Awning replacements require a zoning permit with a fee of $45* and may be obtained through the Department of Community Development.

*Fees current as of 2023

Opening a Business in Bradley Beach 

Before securing your location: 

Make sure your planned business is a permitted use in its location by submitting a Zoning Permit Application with the  Borough of Bradley Beach Department of Community Development. A required New Business Packet  may be picked up and submitted along with the required fees at the Department of Community Development.  Apply for a Mercantile License  with the Borough Clerk’s office after submission of a business packet.

Before You Open : 

Schedule inspections with: Code Enforcement, Fire Department, Construction Department, and if applicable- Monmouth County Health Department. Any business selling food must submit plans for approval to the Health Department prior to operation. Your business may also require a sign permit and/or Outdoor Cafe license. Reference : Mercantile License Packet. 

Helpful Forms for Businesses

Commercial Certificate of Continued Occupancy Application

Certificate of  Continued Occupancy Checklist 

Mercantile License Application 

To determine if construction permits are necessary.

Construction Permit application 

Bureau of Fire Prevention Registration 

Police Department Business Contact Registration 

Retail Food Establishment Plan Review Guidelines and Application 

All Borough of Bradley Beach Forms available at  www.bradleybeachnj.govOperating Tips- Zoning and Property Maintenance 

Maintain the outside facade of your building:

All exterior walls shall be free of chipping, staining and deterioration of paint and all such walls shall be restored to a clean good appearance. (Bradley Beach Borough Code Chapter 350-2:N Section 304.6.1)

Keep windows clean and uncluttered: 

Temporary window lettering or signs are permitted, provided that they do not cover more than 30% of the window area and together with any permanent window signs do not cover more than 50% of the window area. (Bradley Beach Borough Code Chapter 450-49:G(3))

Prohibited signs include the following: 

Signs posted on fences, posts, utility poles, trees, street signs or traffic signs; signs painted directly on buildings, sidewalks or curbs; signs  that flash, make noise, banners, streamers or advertising flags; free-standing signs. (Bradley Beach Borough Code Chapter 450-53:A-J)

Keep sidewalks clean and free of weeds. Keep a 48” path open on sidewalks for ADA compliance:

Persons owning or occupying property shall keep and maintain the public or private sidewalk and grass planting strip in front of their property free of litter, debris, paper, and weeds. (Bradley Beach Borough Code Chapter 398-39:A)

Maintain trees planted on your property, and keep the beds clear of debris and weeds: 

Persons owning or occupying property in any of the business zones within the Borough shall also maintain the tree plots in front of their property. (Bradley Beach Borough Code Chapter 398-39:B)

Be sure that your garbage and recycling containers have covers, and garbage areas are kept clean and free of debris: 

Any person who controls, whether owned, leased, or operated, a refuse container or dumpster must ensure that they are covered at all times and shall prevent refuse from spilling out or overflowing.  (Bradley Beach Borough Code Chapter 396-20:A)

Dispose of mop bucket water through the plumbing system, not onto the ground or street: 

Any person who owns, leases or otherwise uses a refuse container or dumpster must ensure that such container or dumpster does not leak or otherwise discharge liquids, semi-liquids or solids to the municipal separate storm sewer system(s) operated by the Borough of Bradley Beach. (Bradley Beach Borough Code Chapter 396-20:B)

Regularly clean out grease traps and grease hoods:  

Eating and drinking food establishments shall establish a grease interceptor maintenance schedule based upon the size and nature of the individual operation. (Bradley Beach Borough Code Chapter 380-3:C(3))

                     Small Business Grants and Resources 

Grow Monmouth Facade Improvement Program

The Monmouth county Board of Freeholders has established the Grow Monmouth Facade Improvement Program to provide businesses with the improvement of business facades and the replacement of deteriorated or poor quality signs and awnings. 

Program Information:

http://www.visitmonmouth.com/page.aspx?ID=3942 

Application:

https://www.co.monmouth.nj.us/documents/12/Facade_Improvement_Application_Jan2021.pdf 

New Jersey Economic Development Agency  Business Resources

General resources can be found at https://www.njeda.com ; www.njeda.gov 

NJ Business Action Center 

General resources can be found at https:/nj.gov/state/bac

Private Grants for Small Businesses

Since the beginning of COVID-19, many private corporations and organizations have worked to provide relief and support to small businesses across the country.  While some of these opportunities have expired or run out of funding, many others remain available.

For a list of private grant opportunities:

https://www.njsmallbusinesshelp.com/post/5-3-21-update-private-grants-for-small-businesses 

Additional Resources

Bradley Beach Business Community Alliance

Founded in 2020, The Bradley Beach Business Community Alliance’s mission is to bring business, community and the municipality together to enhance the lives of both residents and visitors as a partnership between all, taking action to strengthen Bradley Beach resident life as well as Bradley Beach economic development.  The Alliance’s goal is to link businesses and residents directly to the community.  Join the BBBCA for the following exclusive benefits: 

       Standard web directory listing with member page.

       Social Media and Newsletter promotions. 

       Opportunities to connect locally with our businesses and municipality .

       Resources for small business development

       Member-to-Member discounts. 

       BBBCA window cling for display.  

To Join the BBBCA: https://www.bradleybeachalliance.org/join#join

Monmouth Ocean Small  Business Development  Center 

Since 1979, the New Jersey Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC) at Brookdale Community College has offered comprehensive training and counseling to small business owners and entrepreneurs. NJSBDC delivers business advisory services and training to established and new small to mid-sized businesses in Monmouth County. NJSBDC will also assist in registering as a vendor for NJ State procurement (Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Registration, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certification, Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification Form). 

Program Information:

https://www.mosbdc.com

Free Services:

One on One Counseling for Businesses:

https://www.mosbdc.com/services/counseling/

Educational Seminars:

https://www.mosbdc.com/training/sbdc-free-courses/

Business.NJ.gov 

Your one-stop for the information you need to do business in New Jersey. If you're starting a business, try out Starter Kits to quickly plan how to register with the State and comply with State rules and regulations. You can also explore a rich library of content and resources to help you manage, operate, and grow your business.

Program Information: https://business.nj.gov/faqs

United States Small Business Administration

SBA works to ignite change and spark action so small businesses can confidently start, grow, expand, or recover. Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. The SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses. Their website offers information and resources as follows: Business Guide, Funding Programs, Federal Contracting, Learning Platform, and Local Assistance. 

Program Information: 

https://www.sba.gov 

Business Guide:

https://www.sba.gov/business-guide 

Important Contact Information

Borough of Bradley Beach:

https://www.bradleybeachnj.gov/    732-776-2999

Dept. of Community Development (Code, Construction, Fire Prevention, Zoning):      EXT. 1016

https://www.bradleybeachnj.gov/cn/webpage.cfm?TID=142&TPID=13778                                           

Dept. of Public Works       EXT. 3101

https://www.bradleybeachnj.gov/cn/webpage.cfm?TID=142&TPID=13913 

  Police Department 732-775-6900

https://www.bradleybeachnj.gov/cn/webpage.cfm?TID=142&TPID=14089   

Bradley Beach Business Community Alliance:

https://www.bradleybeachalliance.org/ 

Monmouth County Division of Economic Development:

https://www.visitmonmouth.com/page.aspx?ID=129 

Monmouth County Health Department:

www.visitmonmouth.com/health 732-431-7456

Monmouth Small Business Development Center: 

www.mosbdc.com    732-842-8685  

NJ Business Registration: 

www.state.nj.us/njbgs  

NJ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau: 

www.njcrib.com  973-622-6014 

NJ Small Business Development Centers:

https://www.njsmallbusinesshelp.com/ 

US Small Business Administration: 

NJ District Office: Two Gateway Center, Suite 1002, Newark, NJ  973-645-2434

https://www.sba.gov  

Monmouth County, State of New Jersey Utilities:

NJ American Water: 1-800-272-1325    

NJ Natural Gas: 1-800-221-0051

Optimum Business: 1-866-209-1099 

JCP&L: 1-800-662-3115

Verizon: 1-800-339-9911 

    Model Business Plan

  Successful businesses have a business plan and update it regularly. Please use this business plan template to help build your successful Bradley Beach business!

Company Name:

Description

Your Company

Mission:

Describe the purpose of your business and your product or services

Mission:

Business Description:

Describe what your business will do and why your business has a competitive advantage, location, hours of service

Business Description:

Market Analysis:

Describe your target market, and why your business will appeal to your target market.

Market Analysis:

Organization & Management:

Describe legal structure (incorporation, sole proprietor, etc.), insurance, and owner’s name/experience.

Organization & Management:

Marketing and Sales:

Describe how you will promote your business (advertising, website, social media)

Marketing and Sales:

Location and Approvals:

Identify location and municipal approvals required.

Location and Approvals:

Financial Projections & Management:

Define: 

1. Revenue goals and expenses- rent, utilities, staff, cost of goods sold, insurance/services

2. Financial systems and accounting for monthly/annual taxes, operating statements, balance sheets.

Financial Projections & Management:

Our Mission

The Bradley Beach Business Community Alliance will bring business, community and the municipality together to enhance the lives of both residents and visitors as a partnership between all, taking action to strengthen resident life as well as economic development.

Our Mission

Bradley Beach is a unique oceanfront and family community, home to friendly residents and welcoming to visitors and businesses. As a small but diverse town, our Bradley Beach municipality seeks to offer the best quality of life, civic engagement, and great services in a caring and inclusive  environment.