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Business Use Certificate of Occupancy <br /> The New Hope City Council adopted a Business Use Certificate of Occupancy(BUCO)program that <br /> took effect January 1, 2008. The program requires every new business in New Hope to register with the <br /> city and arrange for an inspection of their facility before it opens for business. This inspection will <br /> ensure that the new business'building is safe, appropriately equipped, and meets building and fire <br /> code requirements for the type of operation planned. <br /> In the past,many new businesses moved into New Hope without the knowledge of city staff. New <br /> business owners sometimes did not have a complete understanding of all of the fire safety and building <br /> code requirements that applied to their type of business in New Hope and,consequently,failed to <br /> comply with some of those requirements. Now,new businesses will be able to avoid potential fire <br /> safety and building code problems by registering with the city through the BUCO program and <br /> working with New Hope building inspectors and West Metro Fire-Rescue District fire inspectors to <br /> • resolve any code issues before opening for business. <br /> By proactively addressing building code and fire hazards, the BUCO program will help to ensure the <br /> safety of employees of local businesses and the surrounding community and protect the investment of <br /> commercial and industrial property owners. <br /> The process begins when a new business completes an application(enclosed)that provides the city with <br /> basic information about its proposed operation. The$25 fee,which accompanies the application,helps to <br /> pay for the program.After reviewing the application,city inspectors advise the new business owner of <br /> building code and safety requirements they must comply with. Once a new business owner believes they <br /> are in compliance with all code requirements,he or she schedules an appointment with city and West <br /> Metro Fire inspectors. <br /> After the inspections have been completed,.a business that has met all city code requirements is issued <br /> a Business Use Certificate of Occupancy and is able to begin operation. If the inspection identifies a few <br /> minor issues that need to be resolved,the business may open with a temporary BUCO certificate but <br /> must make the changes required to be in full compliance within 15 days.If a business needs more than <br /> two inspections,there is$47 charge for each additional inspection. <br /> For more information, contact the New Hope Inspection Division at 763-531-5127. <br /> • <br />