Salons
Obtaining a Business License
How to Obtain a City of Norfolk Business License or for Salons from the Commissioner of the Revenue
Contact the Health Department for a Letter of Authorization
Before any Business License can be issued in the City of Norfolk, a full inspection of the establishment must be performed by the Norfolk Health Department to make sure the location and its equipment conform to the city's health codes. Once this is completed, the Health Department will you issue a Letter of Authorization. You will need to bring this document with you at the time you apply for the Business License. Fees vary depending on the type of business, but for more information on Health Inspections, contact the Norfolk Department of Public Health 757-683-2712.
Business Address Must Be Approved by the City Planning Department
Before a business license can be issued (or renewed) to a contractor business, the State of Virginia requires that you provide proof to us that your business is certified as either a Class A, Class B or Class C Contractor by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). If not, you must complete a notarized affidavit (available from our office) that declares you are not required to be certified by DPOR (State Code 54.1-1111(B)). You must also complete a form stating whether or not your business is required to have workers' compensation insurance and provide the insurance information (State Code 65.2-800, City Code 24-25.3(j)).
Register a Trade Name, Fictitious Name, DBA, etc.
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 that name in the Norfolk Circuit Court. Registering this name does not prevent your business name from being used by any other business. It is done to help the public by giving information as to the person with which it deals with. The Circuit Court will charge a $10 fee to register this name. For further information, contact the Circuit Court at 757-664-4580.
Cost of The Business License
The cost of the Business License is based on your estimate of total gross receipts from the day the business opens to December 31 of the current year.
- If the estimate is greater than $100,000 the license will cost $0.36 per $100 on the full amount of the estimate
- If the estimate is less than $100,000 the license will cost $50
Business Tangible Property Tax
All property such as the following are used in the operation of your business, and is located in Norfolk as of January 1 of each year, is taxed by the City of Norfolk as business tangible property:
- Computers
- Equipment
- Fixtures
- Machinery
- Office Furniture
- Tools, etc.
A form will be mailed to your business which will ask you to send in a list of all your property, informing us of its description, its purchase date, and its original cost.
Property Assessment
The City of Norfolk will assess the property at 40% of the original cost and the assessment will be taxed at the rate of 4.33%. The payment for the tax is due by June 5th of each year.
If we do not receive a list of your equipment, our office is required by law to statutorily assess the property by using the best information we have available to us (such as prior lists submitted and/or industry standards).
What You Need to Bring with You if You Apply in Person
When applying in person, please allow at least one hour to complete the application process. To help your application process go faster, be sure to bring these important documents with you:
- Estimate of gross receipts through December 31st
- Federal Tax ID number from the IRS (visit the Internal Renevue Service website to obtain online)
- If your business is a corporation, LLC, LLP, etc, please bring a copy of your certificate issued by the Virginia State Corporation Commission. For more information, go to the SCC website.
- Lease of business location or other written documentation
- Identification (Picture ID)
Methods of payment accepted by the Norfolk City Treasurer
- Cash
- Check (advisable to bring separate checks for each step mentioned above)
- Credit Card (most major card companies accepted)
- Debit Card (card must display either a MasterCard or Visa logo)
Additional Questions
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Business Tax Team at 757-664-7886.