Legal At Last

No matter what city you're in, changing decades-old zoning regulations is no walk in the park. Those who decide to make the effort face stiff resistance from homeowners, politicians and city officials alike. Chicago proponents offer the following advice as a road map to help you successfully negotiate the process:

• Define the issue, but be careful you don't make the focus so narrow (a women's/minority/senior citizen issue) that you are easily ignored. A more broad-based approach allows the formation of strategic alliances among small businesses and with larger companies that are targeting the homebased business market. Also get the support of organizations, such as chambers of commerce and small-business development centers.

• Demonstrate how homebased businesses fit into the economic picture of the area, and show evidence of their contributions.

• Find homebased entrepreneurs willing to stand up and be counted through letter-writing and speaking at public hearings.

• Use the media, taking advantage of the national publicity the homebased business movement is garnering.

• Find supportive legislators who will introduce and push an ordinance through.

"You've also got to pull together all the administrative departments the ordinance will impact-the fire department, zoning, building and so on," advises zoning administrator Woznicki. "You've got to bring all parties [officials, entrepreneurs, corporations and assistance organizations] together so they can understand the different perspectives."

Kern suggests contracting the American Planning Association, a nonprofit city-planning organization that offers books and booklets on zoning for homebased business. Call them at (312) 431-9100.

The key to success is continued forward momentum,, says Bialik. Victory won't come in a day, a week or even a month, but with persistence and a carefully orchestrated plan, it can come.

This article was originally published in the January 1996 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Legal At Last.