How to Get a Business License in Newport News, Virginia
Newport News Business Licensing: The Legal Foundation
Newport News requires every business operating within city limits to obtain a business license before — or within a tightly defined period of — commencing operations. The legal authority comes from Newport News City Code §23, which implements the statewide Business, Professional, and Occupational License (BPOL) tax framework established under Virginia Code §58.1-3700.
The license serves two functions simultaneously. First, it registers your business with the city and establishes your presence in Newport News’s tax system. Second, it assesses the BPOL tax on your business based on gross receipts and your assigned business classification. The tax amount varies by revenue level and classification type, but the obligation to register applies to every business regardless of size.
Before reviewing the step-by-step process, you need to internalize Newport News’s defining rule: the 30-day deadline.
The 30-Day Deadline: Newport News’s Strictest Requirement
Newport News imposes a requirement that is stricter than most Virginia cities and counties. You must apply for and pay your business license within 30 days of beginning operations.
Both elements — the application and the payment — must be completed within this 30-day window. This is not a “apply within 30 days and pay later” system. The Commissioner of Revenue requires both to occur before the deadline.
The Commissioner of Revenue recommends submitting your BCI (Business Classification Information) form along with a minimum $30 payment and a photo ID at the same time. This approach satisfies both requirements in a single visit and establishes compliance from day one.
Missing this deadline exposes you to penalties. Each day of unlicensed operation after the 30-day window has passed is a violation of Newport News City Code §23.
The 30-day deadline is the most critical procedural requirement in Newport News business licensing. Everything else follows from it.
The BCI Form: What It Is and Where to Get It
The primary document for Newport News business licensing is the BCI (Business Classification Information) Form. This form is available on nnva.gov.
The BCI form collects the information the Commissioner of Revenue needs to:
- Register your business in the city’s licensing system
- Assign your business to the correct BPOL classification
- Calculate your initial tax obligation or fee
The form collects:
- Legal business name
- Trade name or DBA (if different from legal name)
- Owner, officer, or member information
- Business structure (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.)
- Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Business start date in Newport News
- Business location address
- Description of business activity
- Estimated annual gross receipts
- Classification information
Each Location Requires a Separate License
If your business operates from multiple physical locations within Newport News, each location requires its own BCI form and its own separate license. You cannot cover multiple locations with a single filing.
Purchasing an Existing Business
If you acquire an existing Newport News business, the prior owner’s license does not transfer to you. You must file a new BCI form in your name. This triggers a fresh 30-day deadline from the date you begin operating the acquired business.
Prerequisites Before Filing the BCI Form
Complete these steps before submitting your BCI form to the Commissioner of Revenue.
Step 1: Register with the Virginia SCC
If your business is an LLC, corporation, partnership, or other formal entity, register with the Virginia SCC at cis.scc.virginia.gov before filing the BCI form.
- LLC: $100 formation fee
- Corporation: $75 formation fee
Sole proprietors using only their legal name may not need SCC registration. Any use of a trade name requires a fictitious name certificate with the SCC. The SCC fictitious name fee is $10. For assistance, call the SCC at (804) 371-9967.
Step 2: Obtain Your Federal EIN
Apply for your EIN from the IRS at irs.gov (free). Your EIN is a required field on the BCI form.
Step 3: Register with Virginia Department of Taxation
Register for applicable state taxes — sales and use tax if you sell taxable goods or services, employer withholding if you have employees.
Step 4: Obtain Any Required DPOR License
If you operate in a profession or trade regulated by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — contracting, engineering, real estate, cosmetology, and others — you must hold a valid DPOR license before your Newport News business license application will be processed.
Step 5: Obtain Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Contractors)
Contractors with employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance. Proof of coverage is a required attachment to the BCI form for contracting businesses.
Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofits are not exempt from the Newport News BCI filing requirement. Nonprofits must submit:
- The BCI form
- The Nonprofit Supplement
Both forms are available on nnva.gov. The Nonprofit Supplement collects additional information specific to nonprofit classification. Submit both together.
How to Submit Your Application
Submit to: Commissioner of Revenue 2400 Washington Avenue Newport News, VA 23607
What to Bring (In-Person Submission):
- Completed BCI form
- Photo ID (driver’s license or government-issued ID)
- Check for at least $30 minimum, made payable to City of Newport News
- DPOR license documentation (if applicable)
- Workers’ compensation certificate (if applicable)
- Nonprofit Supplement (if applicable)
Processing Times:
- In-person: approximately 1 day
- Mail: approximately 4 days
If your 30-day deadline is approaching, submit in person. The 4-day mail processing time could push your effective registration date past the deadline if you mail close to the window’s end.
Payment: Make checks payable to City of Newport News. The $30 minimum covers the initial license fee for businesses in the flat-fee tier (under $100,000 in gross receipts). Businesses above that threshold will have their BPOL tax calculated based on their gross receipts and classification at billing.
Contact Codes Compliance Within 30 Days of Application
Filing the BCI form with the Commissioner of Revenue satisfies one of two separate 30-day requirements. Within 30 days of submitting your business license application, you must also contact Codes Compliance.
Codes Compliance: (757) 926-8861
Codes Compliance verifies that your business location meets building, occupancy, fire safety, and zoning requirements for your specific type of business activity. This is a separate review from the zoning component handled through the licensing process.
Certificate of Use
Codes Compliance may require a Certificate of Use depending on your business type and location. This certificate confirms that the space you are using is legally approved for your intended use. The Codes Compliance call will clarify whether this certificate is required in your case.
Home-Based Businesses
Some business activities are not permitted to operate from residential addresses in Newport News. If you plan to run a home-based business, contact Codes Compliance at (757) 926-8861 before committing to the business model to confirm that your intended activity is allowed at a residential location.
If home occupation is permitted, a Certificate of Use is likely required, and you must make the Codes Compliance contact within 30 days of your BCI application.
Location Changes: No Fee
If your business moves to a new address within Newport News, there is no fee for updating your location information. Contact the Commissioner of Revenue’s office at 2400 Washington Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607 to report the change. Keep your address current to ensure renewal notices reach you.
BPOL Tax Rates and Classification
Newport News uses Virginia’s BPOL classification system. Your tax rate depends on your business classification and your gross receipts level.
Businesses Under $100,000 in Annual Gross Receipts
Businesses with gross receipts below $100,000 pay a flat license fee rather than a rate-based tax. The minimum fee covers entry into the licensing system without requiring a complex calculation.
Businesses Over $100,000 in Annual Gross Receipts
For businesses above the $100,000 threshold, the BPOL tax is calculated as a rate per $100 of gross receipts. Virginia law sets maximum caps that Newport News cannot exceed.
Virginia State Rate Caps:
- Contracting: 16¢ per $100 of gross receipts
- Retail: 20¢ per $100 of gross receipts
- Professional/financial services: 58¢ per $100 of gross receipts
- Services: 36¢ per $100 of gross receipts
Newport News’s rates fall at or below these state caps.
Multi-Classification Businesses
If your business conducts activities that fall into more than one classification, each type of activity may be separately subject to licensing. The Commissioner of Revenue will advise you on the appropriate approach for multi-activity businesses.
Your Right to Appeal Classification
If the Commissioner of Revenue assigns your business to a classification you believe is incorrect, you have an explicit right to appeal that classification under Virginia Code §58.1-3703.1(A)(5).
Classification matters significantly because the difference between professional/financial services (58¢ cap) and general services (36¢ cap) can represent a substantial difference in tax liability for businesses with significant gross receipts. If you believe your classification is wrong, exercise your appeal right promptly.
Annual Renewal Deadline: March 1
The 30-day deadline applies only to new businesses when they first begin operations. For annual renewals, the deadline is March 1 of each year for all existing Newport News business licenses.
The renewal tax is calculated based on actual prior-year gross receipts. The Commissioner of Revenue sends renewal notices before the deadline, but the obligation exists regardless of whether you receive a notice.
Plan your renewal well before March 1 to avoid penalties.
Closing Your Business: File the Business Closings Form
When you cease operations in Newport News, you must file a Business Closings Form, available on nnva.gov. Your BPOL tax liability does not end automatically when you stop doing business.
Newport News pro-rates BPOL tax by the number of days your business was in operation during the tax year. If you close mid-year and properly file the Business Closings Form, your tax liability is calculated only through your closing date. If you fail to file, the city will continue to treat your business as active and will bill you — and potentially assess penalties — for tax periods after you have actually closed.
Submit the Business Closings Form to: Commissioner of Revenue 2400 Washington Avenue Newport News, VA 23607
Step-by-Step Checklist
- Register with Virginia SCC at cis.scc.virginia.gov (LLC: $100 / Corp: $75; fictitious name: $10, call (804) 371-9967).
- Obtain federal EIN at irs.gov.
- Register with Virginia Department of Taxation for applicable state taxes.
- Obtain DPOR license if required for your profession or trade.
- Obtain workers’ compensation certificate if you are a contractor with employees.
- Download BCI form (and Nonprofit Supplement if applicable) from nnva.gov.
- Complete BCI form with all required information.
- Submit BCI form with photo ID and $30 minimum check payable to City of Newport News to 2400 Washington Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607 — within 30 days of starting operations.
- Contact Codes Compliance at (757) 926-8861 within 30 days of submitting your application.
- Obtain Certificate of Use from Codes Compliance if required.
- Note the March 1 annual renewal deadline for future years.
- If you ever close the business, file the Business Closings Form from nnva.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BCI form?
BCI stands for Business Classification Information. It is the primary application form for Newport News business licensing, available at nnva.gov. It collects the information the Commissioner of Revenue needs to classify your business and calculate your BPOL tax obligation.
Why is the Newport News 30-day rule stricter than other cities?
Most Virginia cities require you to apply before opening or within a defined window, but Newport News specifically requires both application and payment within 30 days. This is the city’s mechanism for ensuring both timely registration and timely revenue collection.
What if I miss the 30-day deadline?
Apply as soon as possible. Each day of unlicensed operation is a violation. The sooner you come into compliance, the fewer penalties you face. Contact the Commissioner of Revenue’s office at 2400 Washington Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607 to discuss your situation.
Do I need a license if I only work in Newport News occasionally?
Virginia’s BPOL system generally requires a license in each locality where you have a fixed place of business. If you are based outside Newport News but perform work within the city, consult the Commissioner of Revenue to determine your obligations.
Can I handle everything by mail?
Yes, but allow approximately 4 days for mail processing. If your 30-day deadline is close, in-person submission is strongly recommended.
Contact Information
Commissioner of Revenue 2400 Washington Avenue Newport News, VA 23607
Codes Compliance (757) 926-8861
Virginia SCC (for entity registration and fictitious names) cis.scc.virginia.gov (804) 371-9967
Forms nnva.gov
30-Day Deadline: Apply AND pay within 30 days of starting operations. Annual Renewal Deadline: March 1.