Starting a Business in Virginia Cities

City-level guides to starting a business and getting a business license in 42 Virginia cities.

New to this? Start with the Virginia business formation guide, then come back for the specifics.

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Filing in Virginia means state registration, an EIN, and a registered agent. These two services handle all of it, and here's our honest take on when to use each.

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City Business Licenses

Arlington County Business License: Who Licenses You, BPOL Rate Categories and Filing StepsWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Alexandria Business License: $10,000 and $100,000 Fee Ladder, First-Year Rule and 2027 Financial RateWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →City of Fairfax Business License: Commissioner of the Revenue, 30-Day Rule and March 1 RenewalWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Fredericksburg Business License: $25 Flat Under $100,000, $350,000 Rate Tier and the March 1 / March 15 SplitWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Leesburg Business License: Town License in Place of the County, Home Occupation Permit, County TaxWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Manassas Business License: Tax Starts Above $150,000 in Receipts, Rate Table and March 1 RenewalWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Vienna and Herndon Business License: Town Licenses Instead of Fairfax County BPOL, 4% Meals TaxWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Virginia Beach Business License: $25, $40 and $50 Flat Fees to $200,000, Rates and Two-Year CapWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Chesapeake Business License: Zoning Approval First, $50 Per Line, Two-Year Incentive and 10% PenaltyWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Norfolk Business License: $50 Under $100,000, Treasurer Certificate, Wholesale Rule and HomestaysWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Newport News Business License: $30 and $50 Flat Fees Under $100,000, Contractor Rate 0.15, Special ClassesWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Hampton Business License: $50 Under $100,000, Rates, Food Truck Host Sites and Short-Term Rental OverlayWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Portsmouth Business License: In-Person Application, $50 Under $100,000 and $15 Zoning ClearanceWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Suffolk Business License: Zoning Clearance First, $50 Minimum, Wholesale 0.09 and May 1 Property ReturnsWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Williamsburg Business License: 7.0% Sales Tax, Two-Year Estimate Rule, $30 Minimum, 2026 Tax IncreasesWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →James City County Business License: $0 Under $4,000, 10-Day Application, 7.0% Sales Tax and Paper-Only FilingWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →York County Business License: $1, $30 and $50 Fee Bands, Military-Installation Contractors, Rental SUPWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Gloucester County Business License: $10 and $50 Fee Bands, 0.10 Rates From $100,000 and 6.3% Sales TaxWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Isle of Wight County, Smithfield and Windsor Business License: County Versus Town, April 15 DeadlineWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Eastern Shore Business License: Northampton $30 Flat, Chincoteague 0.13, Onancock and Accomack (Verify)Who issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Richmond VA Business License: $30 Up to $500,000, Full Tax Above It, and the RVA Business PortalWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Henrico County VA Business License and BPOL Guide: No Tax Up to $1,000,000, Application and March 1 RenewalWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Chesterfield County Business License: $10 Fee and a $550,000 Deduction for 2026Who issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Petersburg VA Business License: $50 Flat to $50,000, 2026 Rate Sheet and the Five-Step Sign-OffWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Charlottesville VA Business License: $35 and $50 Fee Tiers, Commissioner-Set Classes and Tax PortalWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Lynchburg VA Business License: No License at $150,000 or Less and a May 1 DeadlineWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Danville VA Business License: The $100,000 Line, March 1 Deadline and 6.3% Sales TaxWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Harrisonburg VA Business License: $0, $25 and $50 Tiers Under $100,000 and a $0.20 Services RateWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Roanoke City Business License: $50 Fee at $100,000 or Less and How It Differs From Roanoke County and SalemWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Staunton VA Business License: 2026 Rates, Wholesale Tiers and How Waynesboro and Augusta County CompareWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Winchester VA Business License: $50 Flat Tier, 2026 Rates and the Frederick County DifferenceWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Roanoke County Business License: $50 Under $150,000 and the Zoning Checklist FirstWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Salem VA Business License: $50 Flat Per Classification Under $50,000 and the Online PortalWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Albemarle County Business License: Waived at $25,000 or Less, $50 to $100,000 and a June 15 Tax Due DateWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Hanover County and Ashland Business License: No General County License, Contractors at 0.10 Over $100,000Who issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Bedford County and Town of Bedford Business License: County Registration Only, Town $30 Flat to $250,000Who issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Frederick County VA Business License: Fixed Fees from $0 to $50 and How It Differs From WinchesterWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Rockingham County VA Business License: No BPOL, Merchants' Capital Tax and the May 1 Inventory ReturnWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →New River Valley Business License: Montgomery County Has None, Blacksburg and Christiansburg LicenseWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Washington County and Abingdon VA Business License: No County License, Three Towns LicenseWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Rockbridge County, Lexington and Buena Vista Business License: Three Regimes in One CountyWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →Warren County and Front Royal VA Business License: Fixed Fees and Below-Cap RatesWho issues it, what it costs, how to applyRead the guide →