Virginia Business License
General Business License Requirements for Virginia.
Business licenses are often required of business entities, regardless of their products and services. This page provides an overview of business license requirements in Virginia.
Virginia General Business Licenses
Virginia Business License
Not required
General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Virginia.
Virginia does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.
Local General Business Licenses
City of Alexandria Business License Tax
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Instructions: |
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Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee determined by business type. See tax details here |
Notes: | If you have purchased the business and as a condition of the sale you acquired the liabilities and assets, you are entitled to transfer thebusiness license from the old to the new business by completing a Request for Transfer of City Business License form. The form must benotarized and submitted along with the business license application. You must provide a copy of the signed and dated purchase agreement |
Required Attachments: |
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City of Charlottesville Business License
Agency: | City of Charlottesville Business License Tax Office (VA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee determined by gross recipets. See application for more details. |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee determined by gross recipets. See application for more details. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
City of Chesapeake Business License
Agency: | City of Chesapeake - Commissioner of the Revenue - Business Services (VA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and estimated gross receipts. |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and annual gross receipts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Notes: | Renewal notices with instructions will mailed at the beginning of the calendar year |
Town of Christiansburg Business License
Agency: | Town of Christiansburg - Department of Finance (VA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $30 license fee + additional fees that vary based on the nature of the business and estimated gross receipts. See the Business License Rates/Fees schedule here. |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $30 license fee + fees that vary based on the nature of the business and annual gross receipts. See the Business License Rates/Fees schedule here. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Required Attachments: |
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Danville Business License
Agency: | City of Danville Commissioner of the Revenue (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $50 filing fee or rate determined by rate schedule if estimated gross receipts are above $100,000. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | Mail. Renewals forms will be sent to the last mailing address provided to this office. |
Agency Fee: | $50 filing fee or rate determined by rate schedule if estimated gross receipts are above $100,000. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Penalties: | The penalty for late filing is $10.00 or 10% of the tax whichever is greater |
City of Fairfax Business License
Agency: | City of Fairfax Commissioner of Revenue (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary by gross receipts. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary by gross receipts. Use the Business Tax Calculator to calculate your fee. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Hampton Business License
Agency: | Hampton Commissioner of the Revenue (VA) |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees depend on business services and gross receipts. See the Business Tax Rates schedule for details. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees depend on business services and gross receipts. See the Business Tax Rates schedule for details. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Harrisonburg Business License
Agency: | City of Harrisonburg Master Commissioner of The Revenue (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | The cost of the business license requires an estimate for the first partial and the subsequent first full calendar year of operation in the City. Those estimates will be adjusted (+ or -) for actual gross receipts at renewal. |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | The City of Harrisonburg employs a tier system for gross receipts $100,000 and less: $10,000 or under in gross receipts = $0 (However, a license IS still required, even though there is no fee). $10,001 - $25,000 = $25 fee. $25,001 - $100,000 = $100 fee. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Herndon Business License
Agency: | Town of Herndon Finance Department - Revenue Services Division (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary by annual gross receipts. |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary by annual gross receipts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Leesburg Business, Professional, & Occupational License (BPOL)
Agency: | Town of Leesburg Department of Finance and Administrative Services (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees are based on estimated gross receipts. There is a $20 minimum fee. |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees are based on annual gross receipts. There is a $20 minimum fee. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Required Attachments: |
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City of Newport News Business License Tax
Agency: | Newport News Commissioner of the Revenue (VA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Determined by estimated gross receipets. |
Due: | New businesses must apply for a license prior to beginning business and pay the tax or fee within 30 days of the start of business |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee determined by gross reciepts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Norfolk City Business License
Agency: | Norfolk City Commissioner of the Revenue (VA) |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee based upon your estimate of total gross receipts from the day the business opens to December 31 of the same year. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Based on gross annual receipts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Poquoson Business License
Agency: | City of Poquoson Comissioner of Revenue (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | Licenses are based on estimated gross receipts from business beginning date to December 31 of that year. |
Due: | Annually by March 1. |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | Once in business for a full calendar year, the business license renewal is based on the prior year's gross receipts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Law: | The Code of Virginia Title 58.1-3700.1 |
Purcellville Business License
Agency: | Town of Purcellville Finance Department (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees are based on annual gross receipts. There is a $20 minimum fee. |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees are based on annual gross receipts. There is a $20 minimum fee. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
City of Richmond New Business License
Agency: | City of Richmond Department of Finance (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Businesses with gross receipts greater than or equal to $5,000, but less than $100,000, pay only the $30 license fee. Businesses with receipts less than $5,000 pay no fee |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Determined by business type and gross receipts. See the application for more details. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
City of Salem Business License
Agency: | City of Salem Commissioner of the Revenue (VA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Determined by estimated gross reciepts. |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Determined by gross reciepts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
South Boston Business License
Agency: | Town of South Boston Finance Department (VA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or fax |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and gross receipts with a $30 minimum |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or fax |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and gross receipts with a $30 minimum |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
City of Staunton Business License
Agency: | City of Staunton Commissioner of the Revenue (VA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Determined by business type. See application for more details. |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee determined by business type. See application for more details. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Town of Stuart Business License
Agency: | Town of Stuart - Business Services (VA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | Forms are not currently available online. Call Business Services to request one be sent via email or apply in person. |
Filing Method: | Mail or in-person |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and gross receipts |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and annual gross receipts |
Due: | Annually by May 31 |
Notes: | Renewal notices with instructions will be mailed out to the license holders in April |
City of Suffolk Business License
Agency: | City of Suffolk Commissioner of the Revenue (VA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee is determined by gross receipts. |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Mailed prior to due date. |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee is determined by gross receipts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Vienna Business License
Agency: | Town of Vienna Department of Finance (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary by estimated gross receipts. |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary by annual gross receipts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Virginia Beach Business License
Agency: | City of Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue - Business License Section (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and estimated gross receipts. |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and annual gross receipts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
City of Williamsburg Business License
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Determined by estimated gross reciepts. |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Determined by gross reciepts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Required Attachments: |
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Winchester Business License
Agency: | City of Winchester Comissioner of Revenue (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or fax. |
Agency Fee: | If you have not been in business for one full calendar year, you must provide your prior |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or fax |
Agency Fee: | Fee based on gross reciepts through one calender year. |
Turnaround: | 5-7 business days. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Town of Wytheville Business License
Agency: | Town of Wytheville (VA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or fax |
Agency Fee: | Fee is based upon estimated gross receipts |
Before you Apply: | All new businesses must see the Town of Wytheville Building Official which will verify zoning and building safety codes and issue a certificate of occupancy |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail, fax, or online |
Agency Fee: | Fee is based on the priors year's gross receipts |
Due: | Annually by May 1. |
Penalties: |
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Notes: | Renewal notices and information regarding online renewal applications are mailed in March |
Required Attachments: | Copy of the prior year's Federal Income Tax Return, Page 1 of Schedule C, Form 1065, Form 1120-S, or Form 1120, or a statement from your bookkeeper/CPA |
Alleghany County Business License
Agency: | Alleghany County Comissioner of Revenue (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Instructions: | Every person applying for a business license shall obtain a letter of Zoning Approval from the Zoning Administrator or County Planner stating that the business location is properly zoned for its intended use by such business. $10.00 Fee |
Filing Method: | Mail. |
Agency Fee: | The license tax is assessed on the estimation of gross receipts + $15.00.
Refrence Fee Schedule. |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | Dependent on gross reciepts for calender year. See Fee Schedule. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Law: |
Arlington County New Business Registration
Agency: | Arlington County Office of the Commissioner of Revenue (VA) |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee based on the estimate of gross annual receipts. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee based on actual gross annual receipts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Augusta County Business License
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or email comrev@co.augusta.va.us |
Agency Fee: | Fee determined by gross reciepts. |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Renewal form is mailed. |
Filing Method: | Mail or email comrev@co.augusta.va.us (by February 14) |
Agency Fee: | Fee determined by gross reciepts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Chesterfield County Business License
Agency: | Chesterfield County Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Based on estimated gross receipts. |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | Based on gross receipts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Notes: | Renewal forms are mailed in early January. |
Fairfax County Business, Professional and Occupational License
Agency: | Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL) Application |
Agency Fee: | Fee is based on gross receipts estimate for first year. |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | Fee is based on reported gross receipts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Notes: | A renewal application will be mailed in January. |
Fauquier County Contractor Business License
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Determined by business type. |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Determined by business type. |
Due: | Annually by June 30. |
Frederick County Business License
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Variable, based on gross receipts and type of business. |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Variable, based on gross receipts and type of business. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Greene County Business License
Agency: | Greene County - Commissioner of Revenue (VA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and estimated gross receipts. See the Business License Rates schedule. There is a minimum fee of $20. |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and annual gross receipts. See the Business License Rates schedule. There is a minimum fee of $20. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Penalties: | Renewals not submitted by June 1 will incur a penalty of 10% of the total amount due |
Required Attachments: |
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Greensville County Business License
Agency: | County of Greensville Commissioner of the Revenue (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail. |
Agency Fee: | The license fee is based on the estimate of gross receipts from starting date through December 31. |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | The license fee is based on the previous year's gross receipts from January 1 to December 31 + annual license tax category. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Halifax County Occupational Tax License
Agency: | Halifax County Commissioner of the Revenue (VA) |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | Applications can be obtained by fax or mail |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee determined by gross reciepts. |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Applications can be obtained by mail or fax. |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee determined by gross reciepts. |
Due: | Annally by April 1. |
Henrico County Business License
Agency: | Henrico County Department of Finance (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee is based on gross receipts. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee is based on gross receipts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Loudoun County Business Professional and Occupational License
Agency: | Loudoun County Commissioner of the Revenue (VA) |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $30 (except for out-of-county contractors who pay based on an estimate of first-year receipts) |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Renewal fee is based on the prior year's actual gross receipts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Prince George County Business License
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: |
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Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Prince William County Business License
Agency: | Prince William County Tax Administration Division (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and estimated gross receipts. There is no license tax for businesses with estimated gross receipts of less than $500,000. |
Penalties: | New businesses must apply and remit payment in full within 30 days of the business start date. After 30 days, include a late filing penalty of 10% and daily interest calculated at a rate of 10% per annum. |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fees vary based on the nature of the business and annual gross receipts. There is no license tax for businesses with annual gross receipts of less than $500,000. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Penalties: | Renewals submitted after March 1 will incur a late filing penalty of 10% and daily interest calculated at a rate of 10% per annum |
Required Attachments: |
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Roanoke County Business License
Agency: | County of Roanoke Comissioner of Revenue (VA) |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Instructions: | Please bring the (1) Fictitious Name registration receipt (if applicable), (2) the APPROVED Zoning |
Filing Method: | Mail.
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Agency Fee: | Initial registration is dependent on the estimate of gross receipts. If the estimate is less than $134,999, the license will cost $50 which is the minimum yearly fee. If, however, the estimate is greater than $134,999 a tax rate will be applied to your estimate. |
Due: | New businesses must obtain a license within 30 days after the commencement of operations. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Fee is based on reported gross receipts. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |
Surry County Business License
Initial Registration
Form: | Any new business must contact the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office for an application. |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Business license fees are based upon gross receipts and the tax rate imposed varies according to category. Anyone conducting a business with gross receipts over $1,000 may be required to obtain a business license. Out-of-county contractors with a total of over $25,000 gross receipts in Surry County may be required to obtain a business license. New business licenses must be obtained through the Commissioner's Office. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | Business license fees are based upon gross receipts and the tax rate imposed varies according to category. Anyone conducting a business with gross receipts over $1,000 may be required to obtain a business license. Out-of-county contractors with a total of over $25,000 gross receipts in Surry County may be required to obtain a business license. New business licenses must be obtained through the Commissioner's Office. |
Due: | Licenses expire on December 31 of each year and renewals must be filed by March 1st. |