A Nova Scotia woman says her small business has been shut down because of red tape.

Rhonda Frank ran an art studio out of her home in East Chezzetcook but her business closed almost three months ago.

She says business was booming at her art studio from January until June, when someone complained about the sign at the end of her long, shared laneway.

“So then they said they looked into it, there was no permit for the sign,” says Frank.

Frank admits the lack of permit was an oversight. She says when she tried to correct the problem and apply for a permit, she ran into red tape.

“Then I was informed by them, several days later, that the Department of Transportation needed to approve the laneway and did not approve the laneway for commercial use,” says Frank.

Frank says her property is zoned for both residential and commercial use.

The Department of Transportation claims the laneway does not meet safety regulations.

“That’s your reaction time to stop if you see something in the road, or a car in front of you stopping, so it’s a safety factor, it’s that time for you to slow down and stop,” says Brian Ward, director of highway engineering.

While Frank has been told her business does not meet the stopping sight distance requirements, another business that sits closer to the highway on the same lane is still open and operating.

“As far as we know we’re allowed here, being a small independent business,” says barber shop owner Craison Bennett.

Bennett says he isn’t sure why his barber shop can operate on the laneway while the art studio cannot.

Frank says she finds the situation puzzling.

“It’s the exact same laneway,” says Frank. “So it’s the same traffic, turning in to the same laneway, so I’m kinda perplexed as to why one is approved and the other is not.”

The Department of Transportation suggested Frank contact the area manager.

“They can come out to the sight, help them with planning a new entrance, maybe in a little different location, trying to work through it and trying to determine if the site will pass,” says Ward.

Until then, Frank will have to keep the doors to her business closed.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Amanda Debison