How to Get a Business License in Chesapeake, Virginia
What Is the Chesapeake Business License (BPOL)?
Every business operating in Chesapeake, Virginia is required to obtain a business license before opening its doors — or within a defined window after beginning operations. This license operates under Virginia’s Business, Professional, and Occupational License (BPOL) tax system, which is authorized by Virginia Code §58.1-3700 and implemented at the local level by each city and county.
The BPOL system is not a flat fee for permission to operate. It is a local tax on gross receipts from business activity conducted within Chesapeake. The amount you owe depends on your total gross receipts and the classification of your business activity. For new businesses, the initial license is based on your projected or actual first-year receipts. For established businesses, annual renewal is based on prior-year gross receipts.
Chesapeake’s Commissioner of Revenue administers the BPOL program. The office handles new applications, renewals, classification questions, and supplemental tax registrations for specialized business types such as food service, lodging, and door-to-door vendors.
Understanding the system before you apply will save you time, prevent delays, and help you avoid the city’s strict penalty structure — in Chesapeake, each day of operating without a valid license is treated as a separate offense.
Prerequisites Before You Apply
Before submitting your Chesapeake business license application, you need to have several items in order. Skipping these steps is the most common reason applications are delayed or returned.
Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) Registration
If you are operating as a corporation, LLC, partnership, or other formal business entity, you must register your entity with the Virginia SCC before applying for a Chesapeake business license. You can register at cis.scc.virginia.gov. Sole proprietors using only their legal name may not need SCC registration, but any use of a trade name or “doing business as” designation requires a fictitious name certificate filed with the SCC.
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Obtain your federal EIN from the IRS before applying. This number is used to identify your business for tax purposes at both the state and local level. You can apply for an EIN at no cost at irs.gov.
Correct Address on File with the Virginia DMV
The Commissioner of Revenue’s office will cross-reference your business information with DMV records in some cases, particularly when a driver’s license copy is required as part of the application. Ensure your Virginia DMV address matches your current business or residential address before applying.
DPOR License for Contractors and Licensed Professions
If you are a contractor or operate in a profession regulated by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — such as engineering, accounting, real estate, cosmetology, or home improvement — you must hold a valid DPOR license before your Chesapeake business license application will be processed. Proof of your state license will be required as a supporting document.
Clear Delinquent Taxes
Chesapeake will not issue a business license to any applicant who has outstanding delinquent taxes owed to the city. This includes prior-year BPOL taxes, personal property taxes, real estate taxes, and any other city tax obligation. Pay all delinquent amounts before submitting your application.
Required Forms and Where to Find Them
All forms for the Chesapeake business license application are available at cityofchesapeake.net/211. You will need to download, complete, and submit the following:
1. Business License Application
The primary application form collects your business name, owner information, business structure, federal EIN, contact details, business location, start date, and projected gross receipts.
2. Business License Addendum
This supplemental form gathers additional classification and activity information needed for tax rate assignment. It must be submitted alongside the main Business License Application — it is not optional.
3. Application for Zoning Approval — MANDATORY
This is the most commonly overlooked requirement. The Application for Zoning Approval is mandatory and your business license application is not complete without it. Chesapeake requires zoning review before issuing a license to ensure your business activity is permitted at your proposed location under the city’s zoning ordinance.
There are two exceptions to the zoning form requirement:
- Contractors based in other localities
- Mobile food units based in other localities
If neither exception applies to your business, you must include the zoning form. Submitting the application without it will result in the application being held or returned.
For questions about zoning requirements, contact the Chesapeake Zoning office directly:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (757) 382-8454
4. Copy of Your Driver’s License
Include a legible photocopy of your driver’s license with your application. This applies to individual owners and is used for identity verification.
Document Checklist
Before submitting, confirm you have assembled the following:
- Completed Business License Application (from cityofchesapeake.net/211)
- Completed Business License Addendum (from cityofchesapeake.net/211)
- Completed Application for Zoning Approval (mandatory, except for out-of-locality contractors and mobile food units)
- Copy of driver’s license
- Proof of Virginia SCC registration (if applicable)
- DPOR license documentation (if applicable — contractors, engineers, accountants, cosmetologists, etc.)
- Workers’ compensation certificate (if applicable — contractors)
- Supplemental applications for food, lodging, or peddler licenses (if applicable — see special business types below)
- Payment for license fee or tax
Once submitted, a specialist may request additional supplemental documentation depending on your business type or classification. Respond to these requests promptly to avoid processing delays.
The Four Chesapeake Office Locations
Chesapeake is geographically large, and the Commissioner of Revenue maintains four office locations to serve businesses across the city. You may submit your application at any of the four locations.
Main Office 306 Cedar Road Chesapeake, VA 23322 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Western Branch Office 2808 Taylor Road Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:55 p.m.
South Norfolk Office 1205 20th Street Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:55 p.m.
Deep Creek Office 824 Old George Washington Hwy N Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:55 p.m.
Note the slight difference in closing times: the Main Office closes at 5:00 p.m., while the three branch offices close at 4:55 p.m. Plan your visit accordingly.
Mailing Address
If you prefer to submit by mail, send your completed application package to:
P.O. Box 15285 Chesapeake, VA 23328
Remote Submission Options
The Commissioner of Revenue also accepts applications submitted by scan/email or fax. Contact the Main Office at (757) 382-8454 to confirm current submission instructions and the correct email or fax number before sending documents remotely.
How the BPOL Tax Is Calculated
The BPOL tax in Chesapeake is calculated as a rate per $100 of gross receipts, with the rate depending on your business classification. Virginia state law caps the maximum tax rate for each classification, and Chesapeake’s rates fall within those caps.
Minimum Fee
For new businesses or those with gross receipts under $100,000, the license is issued for a minimum flat fee of approximately $50. This minimum is in place so that very small businesses pay a manageable amount rather than a fractional tax calculation.
State-Imposed Rate Caps
Virginia imposes maximum rate caps on each BPOL classification. Chesapeake must stay at or below these caps. The classification that applies to your business determines both the rate and any applicable cap. Common classifications include retail, wholesale, professional services, financial services, contracting, and repair services.
When you submit your application, the Commissioner’s office will assign your business to a classification based on your primary activity. If your business conducts multiple types of activities, each may be subject to separate classification and taxation.
Special Business Types and Additional Requirements
Several business categories in Chesapeake require additional forms, permits, or registrations in addition to the standard BPOL license.
Contractors
Contractors must provide:
- Proof of their state contractor license issued by DPOR
- A workers’ compensation certificate
Contractors and mobile food units that are based in other localities are exempt from the zoning form requirement.
Food Service Businesses
Food-related businesses must submit:
- A Special Tax Application
- A Food and Beverage Tax Coupon
Chesapeake imposes a food and beverage tax on prepared food and drink sales. Food businesses must register for this tax separately from the BPOL license.
Lodging Businesses
Lodging businesses — including hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, and short-term rentals — are subject to a flat rate room tax. The current rate is $2.00 per room, effective July 1, 2025.
Door-to-Door Vendors
Individuals or businesses selling goods or services door-to-door within Chesapeake must obtain a separate door-to-door vendor permit in addition to the BPOL license.
Solar Energy Policy
Chesapeake has a specific policy governing the licensing and taxation of businesses involved in solar energy installation and generation. If your business operates in the solar sector, ask the Commissioner’s office about the current solar energy policy before finalizing your application.
Penalties for Operating Without a License
Chesapeake enforces its business license requirement strictly. The penalty structure is designed to deter businesses from delaying or avoiding the licensing process.
Each Day Is a Separate Offense
In Chesapeake, operating a business without a valid license does not generate a single penalty — each day of unlicensed operation is treated as a separate offense. This means that a business operating without a license for two weeks could face fourteen separate violations. Penalties accumulate quickly.
This is materially different from many other jurisdictions where a flat late fee applies. The Chesapeake structure is intended to create a strong incentive for businesses to obtain their license promptly.
Start the application process before or immediately after beginning operations to avoid any exposure to this penalty structure.
Annual Renewal Deadline: March 1
Existing Chesapeake businesses must renew their BPOL license annually. The renewal deadline is March 1 of each year. The renewal tax is calculated based on the prior calendar year’s actual gross receipts.
The Commissioner of Revenue typically sends renewal notices to businesses of record before the deadline, but receipt of a notice is not required for the obligation to exist. If you do not receive a renewal notice, contact the office proactively.
Late renewals are subject to penalties and interest. Given Chesapeake’s per-day penalty structure, there is no benefit in delaying renewal past March 1.
Step-by-Step Application Summary
- Register your business entity with the Virginia SCC at cis.scc.virginia.gov (if applicable).
- Obtain your federal EIN from irs.gov.
- Obtain any required DPOR license for regulated professions or contracting.
- Pay any delinquent city taxes owed to Chesapeake.
- Download the Business License Application, Business License Addendum, and Application for Zoning Approval from cityofchesapeake.net/211.
- Complete all three forms. Confirm whether the zoning form exception applies to your business.
- Gather your driver’s license copy, DPOR documentation, workers’ comp certificate, and any special tax forms required for your business type.
- Submit in person at any of the four Commissioner of Revenue offices, by mail to P.O. Box 15285 Chesapeake VA 23328, or remotely by scan/email/fax.
- Pay the license fee or minimum fee at the time of submission.
- Respond promptly to any requests for supplemental documentation from the specialist assigned to your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a business license if I work from home?
Yes. Home-based businesses in Chesapeake are subject to the same BPOL requirements as businesses operating from commercial locations. You must still submit the Application for Zoning Approval (unless an exception applies), as home occupation uses are subject to zoning restrictions.
What if my business operates in multiple cities?
Each Virginia city and county where you conduct business may require a separate business license. If you have a fixed location in Chesapeake, you owe the BPOL tax to Chesapeake for receipts from that location. Work performed in other localities may be taxable there.
Can I transfer a license if I buy an existing business?
No. Business licenses are not transferable. If you purchase an existing business in Chesapeake, you must apply for a new license in your name.
What if my gross receipts change significantly from the projected amount?
For new businesses, the initial license may be based on a projection. When you renew, the tax is reconciled based on actual receipts. If actual receipts differ substantially from the projection, you may owe additional tax or receive a credit toward the renewal.
Where can I get help completing the forms?
The Commissioner of Revenue’s staff at any of the four offices can assist you with questions about the application. For zoning questions, contact [email protected] or call (757) 382-8454.
Contact Information Summary
Commissioner of Revenue — Main Office 306 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Mailing Address P.O. Box 15285, Chesapeake, VA 23328
Zoning Inquiries [email protected] (757) 382-8454
Forms cityofchesapeake.net/211