Business and Professional License

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.

Online Business License Application

You may now apply for a City of Norfolk business license interactively! There is no fee for the application and it is processed faster than when using the post office.
Apply for your business license online right now!

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:

Some types of businesses (such as contractors, restaurants, beauty shops, nail and tanning salons, etc.) may have additional requirements from other city departments, such as the Department of Public Health, or from state agencies, such as the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, before a City of Norfolk license can be issued.

Business License Applications

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 or letter of permission from homeowner
• 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

Copyright © 2008 Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue. All rights reserved.
Please contact developer with any comments or questions.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 2260, Norfolk, Virginia 23501-2260
Phone: (757) 664-7890