Businesses are allowed to use whichever vendor they choose, as long as the town's standards are met. See the regulations and an application for a dumpster exemption.

Independent vendors also provide solid waste collection to churches, nonprofits and multi-family housing communities. 

Contact Public Works

Outdoor seating requires a permit. See the Permits and Licenses page.

Retailers may place merchandise outside without a permit under these requirements:

• Merchandise may be outside when the store is open.
• Goods must be directly by the business storefront.
• A 5-foot path must be available that leads to the business's front door and that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• A 6-foot clear pedestrian path must be maintained along sidewalks.

See Streets and Sidewalks in the Code of Ordinances.

Permit

Zoning compliance permits are issued before the installation of new signs or changing the location, sign face, or message of an existing sign.

Types of Signs 

Sandwich board signs:

• No taller than 4 feet; up to 6 square feet per side.
• May only be displayed during business hours.
• Must be located out of pedestrian path.
• May be wood or metal material.
• One board per lot.

Wall mounted signs:

• 32 square feet maximum of sign surface.
• Includes hanging arm signs, posters, banners, window lettering or other advertising material oriented toward the public. 

Freestanding sign:

• In downtown: 20 square feet per sign side for lots zoned CC or lots with 50 feet or less of frontage.
• Must observe 10 feet setback.
• 7 feet maximum height.
• One per parcel.

Real estate signs:

• One sign is permitted on each street front.
• Not to exceed 4 square feet of signage on 1acre lots, may be up to 32 square on lots over 1 acre.

Grand opening banners:

• May be displayed for no more than 30 days.
• One per business.
• 32 square feet maximum.
• No permit required.

Special event signage:

• For government-sponsored or non-profit events.
• Allowed 14 days prior to event.
• No more than 6 signs
  • 1 on-site
  • 1 at Welcome to Hillsborough sign
  • 4 off-site

Learn more by reading Signage 101.

Businesses eligible for incentives must:

• Provide substantially non-residential capital investment.
• Be taxable.
• Invest within Hillsborough’s corporate limits or volunteer to be annexed.

Those receiving incentives also are:

• Expected to be involved actively or financially in the community or local nonprofits.
• Strongly encouraged to offer job fairs in Hillsborough to employ as many town residents as possible.

The town can offer tax grants, reimbursements and other non-financial incentives when businesses meet predetermined performance standards, such as hiring a certain number of employees or investing a certain amount of money.

Non-Financial Incentives

These can include:

• Delaying annexation up to three years
• Expediting the town’s review and approval process.

Tax Grants

A tax grant can reduce the local property tax rate of a business by up to 75% of the taxable value of improvements for up to five years. 

Tax grants are intended to:

• Develop jobs.
• Target development in specific areas areas of town.
• Attract development that:
  • Expands existing businesses.
  • Improves municipal infrastructure.
  • Improves energy and water conservation.

 See Economic Development Incentive Policy.

Hillsborough has several prime locations for development, including:

Hampton Pointe Shopping Center — a 58-acre commercial development off Interstate 85 and N.C. 86. The development is anchored by Walmart Supercenter and The Home Depot. It has one outparcel to be developed, and more retail space to be built and leased.

Oakdale Village — a 9.5-acre commercial development off of Old N.C. 86 between interstates 85 and 40. The development is anchored by UNC Family Medicine and has a corner outparcel approved for an 11,000-square-foot drugstore with a drive-through.

Waterstone — a 337-acre mixed-use development between interstates 85 and 40, bordered by N.C. 86 and Old N.C. 86. The development is anchored by Durham Technical Community College’s Orange County campus and the UNC Hospitals Hillsborough Campus with a 68-bed hospital.

Below are steps that must be taken when starting, expanding or relocating a business. See the checklist for detailed information.

Determine Zoning District ― Get help from economic development staff in determining the zoning district most appropriate for your business type before you sign a lease, purchase a building or enter into a land agreement.

Select Possible Sites ― Economic development staff can suggest possible sites for your business. The town works closely with the Orange County Economic Development Office to keep an updated inventory of available sites.

Meet about Development and Occupancy ― Hillsborough economic
development staff will assist you in setting up a meeting with town and Orange County staff to discuss property development, new construction or the upfit of space to be leased. The town contracts with the county for building inspection services. Items to be discussed include:

• Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, building codes and Health Department requirements for restaurants and food service establishments.
• Requirements for parking, lighting, landscaping, grading, grease traps, backflow prevention, fire access and fire suppression.

Seek Permitting and Inspections ― Apply for all the permits necessary to start work on a space or to occupy the space once you've selected a site or existing building. These permits will have been discussed more extensively in the predevelopment meeting.

Close the Project ― Economic development staff offer an optional meeting with business owners and developers at a project's conclusion to identify issues or challenges that may have impacted the project’s budget or timeline. The confidential meetings help improve the town's development processes.

Business Checklist

Orange County Services

The town contracts with Orange County for some services related to businesses, including building and fire inspections. 

• Building Inspections and Permits — Contact the Orange County Building Inspections Division.
• Fire Inspection — All commercial spaces must have a fire safety inspection, which will determine if additional permits are needed. Contact the Orange County Fire Marshal Division. 

Town Services

Requirements for businesses cross a number of areas, including planning, public works, stormwater and utilities. All businesses selling beer or wine must obtain a business license. Those providing prepared food and beverages or overnight stays must submit taxes. Permits the town issues include those for: 

• Driveways
• Home occupation
• Historic District regulations
• Mobile food vendors
• New water or sewer connections
• Outdoor seating
• Property alterations
• Signage
• Special events
• Stormwater management and stream buffers

See the following pages:

• Permits and Licenses
• Tax Rates and Compliance
• Utilities

Before starting a home business, contact the Hillsborough Planning and Economic Development Division to describe the business you plan to open. Staff will help determine if the type of business you want to open meets conditions for a zoning compliance permit.

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Starting a Home Occupation — Local Regulations Guide and Checklist

Step 1: Pre-development meetings — Town staff review the development process for the specific project and recommend how best to proceed.
 
Step 2: Annexation or rezoning — The Hillsborough Planning Board reviews the proposed development and provides a recommendation to the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners, which then votes on the proposed development.
 
Step 3: Public hearing — Some development activities are subject to public notice and public hearings. For items requiring public hearings, property owners within 500 feet of the subject property will receive a written notice. Additionally, signs are placed on the property indicating a public hearing is occurring and legal ads are posted in the local newspaper to inform residents. 

Residents can stay informed about the specific projects under development review by attending meetings of the Planning Board and Board of Commissioners, reviewing agendas or minutes or watching the town board’s meetings online. Individuals can share thoughts about projects during the quarterly public hearings held jointly by the two boards.

Step 4: Site plan — Town staff review this graphic representation of all existing and proposed improvements to a site. The single depiction incorporates all aspects of landscaping, construction, paving, utilities, and terrain features.

Step 5: Construction drawings — Town staff review construction drawings, which can include floor plans, elevation drawings, mechanical and electrical drawings and plumbing and drainage drawings.

Step 6: Permits — The builder must receive permits before starting construction. The town issues zoning compliance permits. These permits ensure properties in the town’s zoning authority comply with requirements set in the Unified Development Ordinance, rules that regulate development. In most cases, a building permit is also required. In Hillsborough, Orange County issues building permits. 

Step 7: Construction — During the construction process, inspections occur to make sure the building meets the construction requirements set by law. In Hillsborough, Orange County conducts building inspections. Relevant Town of Hillsborough divisions and departments conduct inspections of site features such as lighting, parking spaces and water and sewer infrastructure to make sure the construction conforms with the approved plans.

Step 8: Grand opening — Everything is complete and ready for the public!