Norfolk Virginia downtown commercial street where small businesses operate with city business licenses

How to Get a Business License in Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk’s Business License Requirement

Every business operating within Norfolk’s city limits must obtain a BPOL (Business, Professional, and Occupational License) before commencing operations. This requirement is established under Norfolk City Code §24-25.3 and applies to all businesses regardless of size, structure, or whether operations are conducted from a commercial location or a private residence.

There is no de minimis exemption — a business generating $5,000 per year is subject to the same licensing requirement as one generating $5 million. The only meaningful distinctions relate to the tax rate applied (which varies by business classification) and certain category-specific affidavits that must accompany the application.

Operating without a valid Norfolk business license is not a civil matter or administrative inconvenience. It is a misdemeanor criminal offense. Under Norfolk’s ordinance, operating without a license exposes you to penalties of up to $2,500 in fines and/or up to 12 months in jail. Every day of unlicensed operation can be treated as a separate and independent offense — meaning that two weeks of operating without a license could theoretically result in 14 separate charges.

The Treasurer Approval Requirement: What You Need to Know First

Norfolk has a licensing requirement that is unusual among Virginia cities and must be understood before you take any other steps in the application process.

Before the Commissioner of Revenue will issue a Norfolk business license, you must first obtain a signed certificate of approval from the Norfolk City Treasurer.

This requirement was established by Ordinance No. 44,381. It exists to ensure that applicants do not have outstanding tax delinquencies or other financial obligations to the city that would disqualify them from receiving a license. The Treasurer’s office reviews your tax compliance history and, when satisfied, issues the signed certificate that you then present to the Commissioner of Revenue as part of your license application.

Practical implication: Your license application process in Norfolk involves two city offices in sequence, not one. Plan your timeline accordingly:

  1. Contact the Norfolk City Treasurer’s office and request your certificate of approval
  2. Receive the signed certificate
  3. Submit your complete application package — including the signed Treasurer certificate — to the Commissioner of Revenue

If you attempt to apply for a license directly through the Commissioner’s office without the Treasurer’s certificate, your application will not be processed. Do not skip or shortcut this step.

How to Apply

Norfolk provides multiple channels for submitting your business license application:

  • Online: norfolk.gov/FormCenter
  • Paper form: Download the application form at norfolk.gov/3575
  • Mail: P.O. Box 2260, Norfolk VA 23501-2260

For most new businesses, completing the process online via norfolk.gov/FormCenter is the most efficient method. However, if your application requires physical affidavits (described below), you may need to mail or hand-deliver those documents.

30-Day Processing Window

Norfolk keeps submitted applications active for 30 days. If your application is incomplete — missing documentation, an unsigned affidavit, or an outstanding Treasurer certificate — and you do not resolve the deficiency within 30 days of submission, your application will be removed from the system. You will then need to begin the entire application process over from the start, including re-obtaining the Treasurer certificate if applicable.

Monitor your application status and respond promptly to any requests from the city. Do not assume that a submitted but incomplete application is holding your spot.

BPOL Tax: How the Cost Is Calculated

Gross Receipts Basis

The BPOL tax is calculated on gross receipts — total revenue before any deductions. Business expenses, cost of goods sold, payroll, rent, and other costs do not reduce your taxable amount. This is a fundamentally different calculation from income or profit-based taxes.

Minimum Tax

The minimum BPOL tax in Norfolk is $50. This minimum applies to businesses with gross receipts under $100,000.

Classification-Based Rates

Above the $100,000 threshold, tax is calculated based on your business classification and the applicable rate set by Norfolk City Council. Virginia state law establishes caps on BPOL tax rates that no locality may exceed:

  • Contracting: State cap of 16¢ per $100 of gross receipts
  • Retail: State cap of 20¢ per $100 of gross receipts
  • Financial services / Professional services: State cap of 58¢ per $100 of gross receipts
  • Services (general): State cap of 36¢ per $100 of gross receipts

Norfolk applies rates within these caps. Your specific rate is determined by how your business activity is classified under the Norfolk fee schedule. When in doubt about your classification, contact the Commissioner of Revenue before submitting your application.

Required Affidavits by Business Type

Norfolk requires specific affidavit forms to accompany the standard license application for certain categories of businesses. These must be submitted at the time of application — not after approval.

Contractor Affidavit

Required for businesses performing construction, renovation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or other trade contracting work in Norfolk. Confirms your Virginia DPOR contractor license status and workers’ compensation insurance compliance.

Food Truck Affidavit

Required for mobile food vendors operating within Norfolk. Covers health department certification, commissary kitchen documentation, and vehicle and liability insurance.

Farm Affidavit

Required for businesses engaged in agricultural production or sales. Norfolk’s farm licensing category reflects the city’s heritage and proximity to Virginia’s agricultural regions.

Seafood Affidavit

Required for businesses buying, processing, or selling seafood commercially. This category reflects Norfolk’s historic ties to Chesapeake Bay maritime industries and the commercial fishing sector.

Precious Metal Bond

Businesses that buy, sell, or deal in precious metals — gold, silver, platinum, jewelry with precious metal content — must submit a bond as part of the license application. This requirement is intended to deter the introduction of stolen property into the resale market.

Second Hand Dealer Bond

Similarly, businesses that purchase and resell used goods — pawn shops, consignment stores, used electronics dealers, and similar operations — must submit a dealer bond with their license application.

Meal Tax Bond Forms — Four Versions

Businesses in the food and beverage service industry that collect Norfolk’s meals tax must complete a meal tax bond form as part of the license application. Norfolk provides four distinct versions of this form based on business entity structure. Use the form that corresponds to your legal structure:

  1. Individuals (sole proprietors)
  2. Partnerships
  3. LLCs
  4. Corporations

Using the wrong form version will delay your application. Confirm your entity type before selecting and completing the appropriate form. All forms are available at norfolk.gov/3575.

Renewals

License Expiration

Norfolk business licenses expire on December 31 of the year in which they are issued. A license obtained in April covers activity only through December 31 of that calendar year.

Annual Renewal Deadline

Renewals are due by March 1 of the following year. At renewal, you report actual gross receipts from the prior calendar year and pay the applicable BPOL tax based on those actual figures. If your actual receipts differed significantly from your initial estimate, the renewal reconciles the difference.

Extensions

If you need additional time to complete your renewal, Norfolk provides an extension process:

  • Submit a written request to the Commissioner of Revenue before March 1
  • The default extension is 60 days
  • The maximum extension available is 90 days

Extensions are not automatic — you must request one in writing and submit the request before the March 1 deadline. If you miss the deadline entirely without having filed an extension request, late penalties apply.

Closing Your Business

If you cease operations in Norfolk, you are responsible for formally notifying the city and closing your business license. This prevents the continued accrual of renewal fees and tax obligations for a business that is no longer operating.

Norfolk provides two forms for this purpose, both available at norfolk.gov/3575:

  • General Out of Business Form — For most business types that are closing or ceasing Norfolk operations
  • Restaurant Out of Business Form — Specifically for food service businesses, which have additional meals tax reconciliation requirements upon closure

Complete and submit the appropriate form promptly when you close. Failure to do so can result in ongoing license fees and potential tax liabilities appearing on your account.

Location-Based Incentives

Norfolk uses its business licensing framework alongside several broader economic development incentive programs tied to specific geographic areas within the city.

Enterprise Zones and Targeted Districts

Businesses locating in designated enterprise zones, opportunity zones, or neighborhood development corridors may qualify for local tax incentives, reduced fee structures, or grant programs administered through the Norfolk Department of Development. The availability and terms of these incentives change over time, so contact the city’s economic development office directly to determine what programs apply to your location and business type.

NEON District and Innovation Corridor

Businesses locating in the NEON district or along the Innovation Corridor connecting Old Dominion University to downtown Norfolk may have access to specific programs targeting creative industries, technology startups, and innovation-driven enterprises. These programs sometimes include reduced licensing costs, co-working space subsidies, or technical assistance from ODU-affiliated resources.

Military-Adjacent Businesses

Given Norfolk’s proximity to Naval Station Norfolk, businesses that serve military personnel, veterans, or defense contracting markets may be eligible for small business set-aside opportunities and preferential procurement programs at both the city and federal level. The Hampton Roads SBDC can help you identify and apply for these programs.

Application Checklist

Use this checklist to prepare for your Norfolk business license application:

  • Obtain signed certificate of approval from the Norfolk City Treasurer (Ordinance No. 44,381)
  • Register your business entity with the Virginia SCC at cis.scc.virginia.gov
  • Obtain your federal EIN at irs.gov/ein
  • Obtain your Virginia DPOR license if required (contractor, cosmetologist, engineer, etc.)
  • Gather estimated gross receipts for the current license year
  • Complete the appropriate affidavit form for your business type (Contractor, Food Truck, Farm, Seafood, Precious Metal Bond, Second Hand Dealer Bond, or Meal Tax Bond)
  • Select the correct Meal Tax Bond form for your entity type (individual, partnership, LLC, or corporation) if applicable
  • Submit your complete application package online at norfolk.gov/FormCenter or by mail to P.O. Box 2260, Norfolk VA 23501-2260
  • Complete the application within 30 days of submission or restart the process
  • Pay your BPOL tax (minimum $50 for gross receipts under $100,000)
  • Renew annually by March 1, or request a written extension before March 1 (default 60 days, maximum 90 days)
  • If closing, submit the General Out of Business Form or Restaurant Out of Business Form at norfolk.gov/3575

The Treasurer approval step is the most distinctive element of Norfolk’s process. Treat it as your first action, not an afterthought. Everything else in the application flows from having that signed certificate in hand.