Storefront Churches (Washington: lease, day cares, hotels)
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Has anyone travelled down Rhode Island Avenue NE lately and noticed the excessive amount of storefront churches? It seems that these properties would be better suited for businesses (not liquor stores or chinese carryouts) rather than churches to help revitalize the economy in this area.
Shoulder shrug. Well if other businesses besides Chinese carryout and liquor aren't coming to that part of town then a storefront church is better than nothing.
Churches are taking up store fronts because many have a difficult time getting permits to get their own standalone buildings. Many jurisdiction frown upon churches and make it difficult for them, as a result they have become creative by rent out storefronts, movie theatres, hotels, etc.
Technically a church is considered a business by the way.
Some churches start in storefronts, save, and then later build a standalone church. Others have taken over whole strip malls. They open church run day cares, schools, and beauty/barber shops. It's easier than finding vacant land to build on. The infrastructure is already there.
Churches are taking up store fronts because many have a difficult time getting permits to get their own standalone buildings. Many jurisdiction frown upon churches and make it difficult for them, as a result they have become creative by rent out storefronts, movie theatres, hotels, etc.
Technically a church is considered a business by the way.
Churches are taking up store fronts because many have a difficult time getting permits to get their own standalone buildings. Many jurisdiction frown upon churches and make it difficult for them, as a result they have become creative by rent out storefronts, movie theatres, hotels, etc.
Technically a church is considered a business by the way.
This is just flat wrong. Churches in the District are exempt from zoning laws and endure very little oversight from a building permit standpoint. There have always been a large number of storefront churches in the District because it's a cheap alternative for small congregations.
This is just flat wrong. Churches in the District are exempt from zoning laws and endure very little oversight from a building permit standpoint. There have always been a large number of storefront churches in the District because it's a cheap alternative for small congregations.
I wasn't speaking specifically to DC and I was not aware of the building exemption, however I know in many surrounding districts in this region, it is extremely difficult to get a building to be built for a church.
They are often frowned upon because of their tax exempt status.
I wasn't speaking specifically to DC and I was not aware of the building exemption, however I know in many surrounding districts in this region, it is extremely difficult to get a building to be built for a church.
They are often frowned upon because of their tax exempt status.
This is the Washington DC message board. Perhaps you're lost.
BTW, it would be a violation of their constitutional protection to deny a church a building permit due to their tax exempt status.
This is the Washington DC message board. Perhaps you're lost.
BTW, it would be a violation of their constitutional protection to deny a church a building permit due to their tax exempt status.
Why are you being so snarky? Is your life really that sad?
Anyways they do it to churches all the time. I've been to many churches in this region that have struggled to get permits. What often happens, is some jurisdictions will nit-pick at the smallest of details like the type of door knobs you have or having certain types of door in certain location. There is really not a lot that can be gain by most local governments to have churches so they make it very difficult for them given that they can make money off of other organizations/businesses. I was at a church one time that spent months upon months trying to get approved but the inspector kept finding new things each time they came.
My whole purpose was to give some general perspective as to why some churches choose to go this route. Of course everybody situation is different depending on where you live and what your finances are like. I'm sorry I wasted your time. Perhaps you would benefit from going to one of those store front churches.
Why are you being so snarky? Is your life really that sad?
Anyways they do it to churches all the time. I've been to many churches in this region that have struggled to get permits. What often happens, is some jurisdictions will nit-pick at the smallest of details like the type of door knobs you have or having certain types of door in certain location. There is really not a lot that can be gain by most local governments to have churches so they make it very difficult for them given that they can make money off of other organizations/businesses. I was at a church one time that spent months upon months trying to get approved but the inspector kept finding new things each time they came.
My whole purpose was to give some general perspective as to why some churches choose to go this route. Of course everybody situation is different depending on where you live and what your finances are like. I'm sorry I wasted your time. Perhaps you would benefit from going to one of those store front churches.
i actually agree. i have seen this happen. i had two churches want to lease a storefront from me in N.E. dc and it pretty much went as you stated.
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