1. Safety & Compliance Every use must align with building codes and health standards. A Change of Use/New Tenant process confirms your project meets these essential requirements.
2. Zoning Fit Bloomington’s zoning ordinance defines what types of uses are allowed in each district. If your proposed use isn’t a “by‑right” use, you may need to pursue a special permit, variance, or rezoning.
3. Historic / Overlay Areas Some properties lie within historic zones or overlay districts that impose additional requirements or reviews to preserve neighborhood character.

1. *OPTIONAL* Pre‑Submittal Consultation You may choose to meet with the Project Review Group (PRG), Wednesdays from 1–3 PM at the Government Center. This multi‑department team offers early technical guidance on zoning, building safety, fire, engineering, and more. Learn more about PRG HERE.

    

2. Complete Application Using the Building Safety’s Change of Use/New Tenant Application, provide all requested information. Our team will perform an intake review for complete application, contact you promptly for additional information, and schedule inspections.

    

   Applications will be classified into one of three categories:

   • New Tenant with no construction work (using the space as-is).
   • New Tenant with construction work (plumbing, electrical, mechanical, accessibility, and related regulations).
   • Change of Use or Occupancy regardless of building changes (moving into a space previously approved for a different building occupancy type, such as from business use to assembly use).

      

3. Plan Review If your space is undergoing a larger planned remodel, a Change of Use/New Tenant application may be too simplistic for the scope of work. In that case, you would complete a Commercial Building Permit Application, architectural plans, occupancy loads, life‑safety diagrams, accessibility features, and fire protection details. The application goes through a plan review process before Building Permits are issued.

    

4. Public Hearing (If Needed) If your project raises zoning considerations (e.g., Special Use Permit, Rezoning, Variance), it may require review by the Planning Commission or Zoning Board of Appeals, followed by City Council approval.

    

5. Issuance of Certificate of Occupancy At project completion and successful final inspections, a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, formalizing the lawful use of the space.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Change of Use/New Tenant applications require a scaled dimensioned floor plan for each floor/level be submitted. The following details are REQUIRED on the floor plans:

✅Direction of North.

✅ All walls.

✅ All room dimensions and wall lengths in feet and inches.

✅ All room names/use of spaces for the new Use.

✅ All interior doors showing direction of door swing.

✅ All exterior doors showing direction of door swing.

✅ All restrooms and Mechanical spaces.

✅ If you are occupying a tenant space within a larger building, provide a KEY PLAN showing your location in relation to the whole structure.

✅ Parking lot with number of available spaces.

✅Include when applicable:

• Locations of seating for waiting, food or drink consumption, spectator seating, gathering spaces, etc. Provide number of seats to be available.
• Locations of gaming and/or amusement machines, tables, equipment.
• Location of property lines, outbuildings, exterior patios, fences, etc.

Additional information may be requested based on inspector review or code requirements specific to your Occupancy or Use. City staff will contact you directly if this is the case.

Before you upload floor plans:

Apply HERE

If renovations or other construction work is planned or needed based upon the Change of Use Inspection, your contractor will complete and submit a Commercial Building Permit Application. Similar to above, plans showing the use and complete scope of work to be performed will need to be included. Please note alterations that result in life-safety or structural changes in commercial buildings in Illinois require the involvement of an Architect. Sealed plans prepared by a licensed architect need to be submitted with the Application. Replacement of floor finishes, painting, etc. would not require a permit. A link to the Commercial Building Permit Application is HERE, which is completed and submitted online.

• Development Services Department
  • Planning Division
  • Building Safety Division

    115 E. Washington St., Room 201
    Bloomington, IL 61701
    309-434‑2226

• PRG Meetings: Wednesdays 1–3 PM, Government Center, Room 208 – Secure your appointment HERE.
• Land Use Petitions & Application Forms: Available on the Applications & Resources page.
• Local Ordinances: Bloomington Zoning details are available HERE.
• Free access to current Building Codes are HERE.

Q: What’s the timeline from application to completion?

A: Timelines vary based on receipt of complete application, project scale and required approvals. Smaller projects with straightforward compliance may take 1-2 weeks. More complex plans needing public hearings and multi‑department reviews can take several months.

Q: Who decides if I need a Special Use Permit or rezoning?

A: The Planning Division will review your proposed use and current zoning. They’ll advise whether it qualifies as “by‑right,” needs a Special Use Permit, variance, or rezoning.

Q: Do I need a contractor?

A: Building owners can self-perform some general work. All trade work (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire protection etc.) must be completed by contractors registered with the City of Bloomington.

Q: Do I need an architect?

A: For any project that requires plans be submitted, an Illinois licensed design professional must sign and seal all documents as required by the State of Illinois. Examples of this are projects involving structural changes, significant renovations, new construction, and anything that alters or affects egress and/or life safety issues. The City may request documents from a design professional if presented drawings are inadequate or the project is more complicated.