Main Street’s volunteer-run Little Mountain Gallery has taken steps toward becoming “legitimate” after facing scrutiny from the city over its use as a live-music venue.

Gallery spokesperson Ehren Salazar said a city inspector visited the multi-use arts space in late July following a neighbour’s complaint.

Salazar said the gallery is zoned “art retail” but has regularly hosted all-ages concerts, even though the events do not fit its zoning. Since the inspector’s visit, which sparked fears of closure, gallery representatives have met with city officials to discuss how they can “legitimize the space”.

Little Mountain is eyeing city cultural funding, upgrades, and rezoning. “They need to know that we’re working to be legitimate instead of being an underground space,” Salazar explained.

Jacqueline Gijssen, senior cultural planner for the city, said it’s another example of arts spaces getting caught up in regulatory issues. In September 2009, the city began a review of regulations that affect live-performance venues.