[cbetti]

The high numbers here are eye-opening, but the article doesn't shed any light on the process.

I'm left with the feeling that opening a restaurant is hard, but there is nothing to chew on in terms of improving the situation as a citizen or interested party.

[KoftaBob]

The full study that the article links to has a more in-depth look on the processes in several cities: https://ij.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Barriers-to-Busine...

[redtexture]

Many of the counted steps are required state wide, and not in the ambit of the municipality. State licensing processes for various Barbers, and so on.

This is the state legislature's doing.

Others are standard nationwide, and not going away:

Setting up a corporation, or LLC for example. Or filing for a "doing business as" d/b/a name.

I am unsympathetic to counting these as a step.

I cannot get worked up about building permits. Here is why:

This is a national regime, and most states operate under the "International Building Code", and similar Electrical and other codes, and the requirements there, for commercial structures are often based on factual risks and deaths from lack of proper construction.

That means every building needs to be up to code when renovated in various categories: electrical, plumbing, heating/ventilation, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire code compliance, structurally, and more recently for energy code (typically insulation and heating/cooling related). These are essential for safety and health, and for economic well being in the long run. Yes these take capital. That can be 5 to 10 permits and inspections there, and those requirements are not going away, nationwide.

There can be other municipal department participation for curb cuts, street access, sidewalk access and so on. Deal with it.

Zoning is a municipal level, and that requires City Council and Planning Board participation, and not in control of the administrators operating the regulations. This is political level of regulation, and requires political effort to modify, typicall not in the ambit of administrators.

Other "steps" in which all fees and taxes to a municipality need to be up to date are simply good practice.

- No action if you are overdue on your real estate taxes, or have outstanding orders for compliance with health or building codes.

That is mere enforcement of existing municipal regulations. Get up to date on all of your obligations.