General Information

All business and professional operations, according to Ordinance No. 38,573, must purchase a business license before commencing operation in the City of Norfolk, including Home Businesses. Licenses expire December 31st of each year.

In order to obtain a Norfolk City Business License, you must have a definite place of business. A definite place of business is an office or location where a regular and continuous course of dealing with the public occurs. In the City of Norfolk, zoning laws may prohibit your business from operating at certain locations, such as a residence. The address for your business must be approved by Zoning. A lease or some type of written documentation must be presented for this approval. Zoning charges a fee for this approval.

Any person, partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company, or corporation using a name which does not identify the owner of the business must register a trade name with the Norfolk Circuit Court. Registering this name does not prevent your business name from being used by any other business. It is done to assist the public by providing information as to the person with whom the public will be dealing. There is a fee to register this name. This fee is paid to the Norfolk Circuit Court.

To Apply for a Business License online, please click here.

Cost of Business License

The cost of the business license is based upon your estimate of total gross receipts from the day the business opens to December 31 of the same year. If the estimate is less than $100,000, the license will cost $50.00 which is the minimum tax. If, however, the estimate is greater than $100,000, a tax rate will be applied to your estimate. There are different rates for different types of businesses as follows:

What you Need

When applying in person, please allow at least one hour to complete the application process. When paying by check, bring a separate check for each process. To help streamline your application process, be sure to bring these important documents with you:

• Identification (Picture ID)
• Lease required for commercial locations
• If Home-based business and renting, a letter from the Property owner is required
• Zoning approval - ($15.00 fee - Contact 664-4752)
• State Corporation Commissioner Certificate or Corporate Charter (if applicable)
• Register Trade Name or Partnership ($10.00 fee - Contact Circuit Court 664-4580)
• Meal Tax Bond (food establishment-fees vary - Contact 664-7886)
• Permits (if applicable-fees vary)
• Estimate of gross receipts through December 31st

Associated Fees

Help!

If you still need some help, or have questions, feel free to give us a call at: (757) 664-7886