BUSINESS SUPPORT AND INFORMATION
The Village of Winnetka makes every effort to foster and maintain cooperation between the Village
government 
and
the business community. Frequently, the Village and Chamber of Commerce collaborate
to encourage new businesses to locate in the Village. For information
pertaining to the Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce, please call 847-446-4451, or email director@winnetkanorthfieldchamber.com.
The Village's Community Development
Department should be contacted at 847-716-3576 regarding
zoning and building codes prior to making a location commitment. E-mail: mdonofrio@winnetka.org.
The following summarizes the current relevant
statistics for Winnetka::
| Population |
12,419
(2000 census) |
| Retail
Sales: |
$130,000,000
(2009 estimate) |
| Sales
Tax Rate: |
8% (eff.1/1/12) |
| Housing
Units: |
4,310
(2000 census) |
| Distance
from Chicago: |
16
miles |
Winnetka has three distinctive shopping and service areas:
Indian Hill Area - Green Bay Road from Winnetka Avenue south
to the Village of Kenilworth corporate limits
Elm Street Area -
Elm street from Birch Street to Arbor Vitae
Hubbard Woods
Area - Green Bay Road from Tower Road to Scott Avenue
GUIDE TO VILLAGE SERVICES
FOR BUSINESS
Building and Other Related Permits
Building and other related permits are required
for additions, interior remodeling, and demolition. Please contact the Community
Development Department at 847.716.3576 before undertaking any construction
work in your business. E-mail: bnorkus@winnetka.org.
Business Licenses
Most businesses do not require a license.
The Village licenses all restaurants selling food and/or liquor. The Village
also licenses amusement devices, grocery stores, parades,
fireworks, and service stations. All other businesses are not licensed. Contact
the Village Clerk's Office at 847-716-3541 for applications and fee schedules,
or e-mail: kscanlan@winnetka.org.
Electric & Water Service
The Winnetka Water and Electric Department
furnishes electricity and water to the Village. To obtain electric service
a new customer must sign and submit a customer service application card that
can be obtained from the Village Finance Department. Call 847-446-9550,
or e-mail: utilitybilling@winnetka.org.
Fire Prevention and Inspection
The Fire Prevention Bureau oversees scheduled
inspections of public and commercial buildings, plan reviews of new construction
and remodeling, installed systems, and underground flammable and combustible
liquid storage. If you have any questions, please call the Fire Department
at 847-501-6029, or email: aberkowsky@winnetka.org.
Maps
Street maps of Winnetka are available from the Public Works Department at the
Village Yards, 1390 Willow Road. Call 847-716-3568, or email: ebraun@winnetka.org.
Pre-Occupancy Inspections
The Community Development Department offers pre-occupancy inspections for commercial tenants. These inspections help identify building code issues and should be conducted prior to a lease being signed.
Refuse Collection
Please contact the Public Works Department
to arrange for regular trash collection. Call 847-716-3568, or email: ebraun@winnetka.org.
Signs
All signs in the commercial areas are regulated
by the Village. Please contact the Community Development Department at
847-716-3576, or email: bnorkus@winnetka.org.
Utilities
| Cable
TV: |
Comcast,
866-594-1234 (See Cable Television) |
|
| Electric: |
Village of Winnetka, 847-716-3558 |
bkeys@winnetka.org
|
| Natural
Gas: |
North
Shore Gas, 966-556-6004 (most of the Village) |
|
| |
Northern
Illinois Gas, 847-490-8900. (Indian
Hill area) |
|
| Sanitary
Sewer Service: |
Village of Winnetka. Telephone 847-716-3530 |
ssaunders@winnetka.org |
| Telephone: |
Ameritech.
See telephone book for service desired |
|
| Water: |
Village of Winnetka, 847-716-3558 |
bkeys@winnetka.org
|
Zoning Ordinance
The Zoning Ordinance distinguishes between retail
and service businesses. Retail businesses are allowed, by right, to locate
in the commercial areas. Service businesses are restricted in some areas of
the commercial district. A certificate of occupancy, requiring Village inspections,
is needed when the use of a location will be changing (for example, a building
use is changing from a dress shop to a restaurant). It is advisable to contact
the Community Development Department at 847-716-3576 regarding zoning
and building codes prior to making a location commitment. E-mail: mdonofrio@winnetka.org.
