OpenReadyGet the app

Your clear path to opening day.

OpenReady turns the invisible, department-by-department permit maze into one honest, address-specific roadmap — every step, every phone number, every form, in the right order.

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play

Free zoning pre-check. No credit card. iOS 16+ / Android 10+.

9:41•••

Roadmap

148 Main St, Montclair

Progress7 / 23 steps

  • Zoning verification

    Phase 1

    Approved

  • Business registration

    Phase 1

    Approved

  • Construction permit

    Phase 2

    In progress

  • Fire inspection

    Phase 3

    Waiting

  • Certificate of Occupancy

    Phase 4

    Not started
Signed a lease on a space you can't legally useDiscovered a 6-week approval after construction startedZoning officer never called backParking ratio killed a retail-to-restaurant conversionFull site-plan review instead of a waiverFire code re-inspection two weeks before openingSigned a lease on a space you can't legally useDiscovered a 6-week approval after construction startedZoning officer never called backParking ratio killed a retail-to-restaurant conversionFull site-plan review instead of a waiverFire code re-inspection two weeks before openingSigned a lease on a space you can't legally useDiscovered a 6-week approval after construction startedZoning officer never called backParking ratio killed a retail-to-restaurant conversionFull site-plan review instead of a waiverFire code re-inspection two weeks before opening

How it works

From address to approved in one flow.

No more piecing together requirements from six departments. OpenReady sequences the whole path for your exact space and use case.

01

Tell us what you're opening

Business type, address, new build or takeover, renting or owning, employees, food, alcohol, signage, seating, outdoor. Six minutes.

02

We build your roadmap

Every required step in the correct order, grouped into four phases — from zoning through Certificate of Occupancy.

03

You get who to call, and what to say

Exact department, phone number, fees, official forms, documents to bring, and the questions to ask before you hang up.

04

You track each step to approved

Eight status states, deadline reminders, document center for scanning leases and township letters into PDFs.

What opening actually looks like

Real spaces. Real steps. One roadmap.

Every business we help open moves through the same moments — from keys in hand to inspector sign-off. OpenReady is built for the messy middle.

Day one. Keys in hand, before anyone tells you what you missed.
The moment
Day one. Keys in hand, before anyone tells you what you missed.
Township hall. The zoning officer you didn't know to ask for.
Phase 1 · Zoning
Township hall. The zoning officer you didn't know to ask for.
Mid-build. Permits taped to the window, inspector on the way.
Phase 2 · Build
Mid-build. Permits taped to the window, inspector on the way.
Kitchen table. Lease, notes, and every form filed in one place.
Every phase
Kitchen table. Lease, notes, and every form filed in one place.

The roadmap

Four phases. Every step in order.

Grouped by what actually matters — where you are in the timeline, and what you can start in parallel.

  1. Phase 1

    Site & Zoning

    • Address zoning check
    • Use permitted / conditional
    • Parking & signage ratios
    • Lease contingency review
  2. Phase 2

    Registration & Build

    • State business registration
    • Construction permits
    • Plumbing / electrical / mechanical
    • Contractor licensing
  3. Phase 3

    Health, Fire & Safety

    • County health plan review
    • Fire prevention inspection
    • Alarm & suppression sign-off
    • ADA compliance
  4. Phase 4

    Open for Business

    • Certificate of Occupancy
    • Sign permit
    • Mercantile / retail license
    • Liquor license (if applicable)

More than a checklist

The stuff the township won't tell you.

Every major step carries three things a department will never volunteer: how to actually run the play, the insider tips, and the mistakes that get people rejected.

How-to walkthroughs

The actual play for each step. Ask for the zoning officer by name. Get it in writing. Use this exact lease contingency clause.

Insider tips

A prior restaurant in the space doesn't mean you can open one. Parking ratios silently kill retail-to-restaurant conversions.

Document center

Scan leases and township letters into searchable PDFs. Everything filed against the correct step, ready when you need it.

AI assistant, grounded

Ask questions and get answers scoped to your specific roadmap, address, and business type — not generic legalese.

Deadline reminders

Eight status states from not started to approved. Reminders that fire before an inspection window closes.

Confidence labels

Every piece of info is tagged Verified, Partially verified, or General guidance — with a last-checked date.

Free · Signature feature

Never lease a space you can't legally use.

Enter an address before you sign anything. OpenReady tells you who to call at the township, exactly what to ask, and the deal-breaker questions that surface parking, use, and prior-use traps in one phone call.

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play
  • Free with the app — no signup required
  • Address-specific, not generic zoning code
  • The exact script to run past the zoning officer

Zoning pre-check

148 Main St, Montclair, NJ

Call

Zoning Officer, Township of Montclair

(973) 509-4954 · ext. 2

Ask exactly this

  1. 1Is a full-service restaurant a permitted use at 148 Main St?
  2. 2How many parking spaces does the current C-2 ratio require?
  3. 3Can I get a site-plan waiver, or is board review required?
  4. 4Any active variances or conditions attached to the property?
VerifiedLast checked · Jul 10, 2026

Know how much to trust it

Confidence labels on every line.

Government processes change. Every piece of info in OpenReady carries a confidence label and a last-checked date, so you always know when to double-verify.

Verified

We've confirmed this directly with the issuing authority in the last 90 days. Fees, forms, and process match the official source.

Partially verified

Core requirement confirmed; some details (fees, review times) may vary by application. Call to confirm before filing.

General guidance

Standard practice based on state code or comparable jurisdictions. Not confirmed with this specific department yet.

“We almost signed a lease on a corner spot with the wrong parking ratio. OpenReady flagged it in ten minutes and gave us the exact question to ask the zoning officer. We walked away and found the right space two weeks later.”

Amelia Torres

Owner, Marlow Coffee Bar · Montclair, NJ

Questions

Answered honestly.

If it isn't here, email hello@openready.app — a founder will reply.

Which cities does OpenReady support today?

We're launching with verified coverage across New Jersey — every township, borough, and city. The underlying jurisdiction engine works anywhere, so verified coverage is expanding city by city.

Is OpenReady legal advice?

No. OpenReady provides informational guidance and reference material sourced from official departments. It is not a substitute for a licensed attorney or a permit expediter. Always verify with the issuing authority.

How current is the information?

Every step carries a confidence label (Verified, Partially verified, or General guidance) and a last-checked date. Verified items are re-checked within 90 days.

What does it cost?

The zoning pre-check is free. A full roadmap and document center are available on a monthly subscription. Pricing is shown inside the app before you subscribe.

Do you share my data with the township?

No. Your business details, addresses, and uploaded documents are yours. We never share them with any government body without your explicit action.

OpenReady

One clear path. From lease to open sign.

Download OpenReady and start with a free zoning pre-check for your address.

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play
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