How to Get a Business License in Staunton, Virginia
Staunton’s business licensing process has two details that distinguish it from most Virginia cities — and both are deadlines.
The first: you must file a business license application within 30 days of beginning business. Most Virginia cities allow 60 to 75 days. Staunton gives you 30. Miss it and you face both penalty and interest, accruing from the date you should have filed.
The second: the business tangible personal property return is due May 1 — not March, as it is in many other Virginia cities. It’s a separate filing from the business license, assessed by the Commissioner and billed by the Treasurer with payment due December 5.
Get both deadlines on your calendar before you open. Everything else about the licensing process here is straightforward.
30-Day Filing Deadline — Don’t Miss It
You must file a business license application within 30 days of beginning business in Staunton.
To put this in context: most Virginia cities allow 60 to 75 days from the date a business begins operations. Staunton’s 30-day window is one of the tightest in the state. If you open March 1, your application is due by March 31. If you open July 15, your application is due by August 14.
Late filing triggers both penalty and interest — not one or the other, but both — accruing from the date you should have filed.
Renewal deadline: March 1 each year. Annual renewals must be filed and paid by March 1. Late renewal also triggers penalty and interest.
Write these dates down the day you open. The 30-day rule catches business owners off guard because they assume Virginia cities all have similar timelines. They don’t.
Step 1: Occupancy and Zoning
Before your business license is issued, you need zoning clearance.
Contact the Zoning Administrator at City Hall to determine whether an occupancy permit is required for your business location. The Zoning Administrator, Inspection Division, and Planning Department work together to outline the requirements for your specific business type and address. City Hall staff will direct you to the correct agencies.
Home-based businesses: Residential zoning in Staunton has specific requirements for home occupations. Consult the Zoning Administrator before you begin operating from home — restrictions typically cover signage, customer traffic, on-site employees, and activities that could affect the residential character of the neighborhood.
Trade names and partnerships: If you need to amend or terminate a partnership or trade name, that process goes through the Clerk of the Circuit Court at (540) 332-3874 — not the Commissioner of the Revenue.
Step 2: Apply for Your License
With zoning cleared, apply for your BPOL license with the Commissioner of the Revenue.
Commissioner of the Revenue City Hall, 1st Floor 116 West Beverley Street Staunton, VA 24402 Mailing: PO Box 4, Staunton, VA 24402 Phone: (540) 332-3829 Fax: (540) 851-4022 Commissioner: Maggie Ragon Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday – Friday
What to provide:
- Description of business activities — be specific about what you do
- Estimated gross receipts for the current license year
- Virginia SCC registration number (required for LLCs and corporations)
- Federal EIN
- Zoning approval or occupancy permit confirmation
Remember: You must file within 30 days of opening. Don’t delay.
BPOL Tax Rates
Staunton’s BPOL rates are at or near Virginia’s statutory maximums for most business categories. They are notably higher than some Shenandoah Valley jurisdictions, but the Enterprise Zone (covered below) provides potential relief for downtown businesses.
| Business Type | Rate per $100 Gross Receipts |
|---|---|
| Contractors | $0.16 |
| Retail merchants | $0.20 |
| Financial, real estate, professional services | $0.40 |
| Repair, personal, and business services | $0.36 |
Wholesale Merchants — Tiered Structure:
Wholesale merchants are taxed on gross purchases (not gross receipts), using a tiered formula:
- Purchases $10,001–$50,000: $100 flat tax plus $0.50 per $100 of purchases exceeding $10,000
- Purchases $50,001 and above: $300 flat tax plus $0.12 per $100 of purchases
The wholesale tier structure is more complex than other business categories — make sure you’re calculating on gross purchases, not gross receipts.
How to Calculate Your BPOL Tax
Divide your gross receipts by 100, then multiply by the applicable rate.
Example: a professional service firm with $200,000 in gross receipts: $200,000 ÷ 100 × $0.40 = $800
Example: a contractor with $350,000 in gross receipts: $350,000 ÷ 100 × $0.16 = $560
Example: a retail business with $120,000 in gross receipts: $120,000 ÷ 100 × $0.20 = $240
Example: a wholesale merchant with $75,000 in gross purchases: $300 + ($75,000 ÷ 100 × $0.12) = $300 + $90 = $390
At $0.40 per $100, the professional services rate is at Virginia’s statutory maximum. If you’re a consultant, attorney, accountant, architect, engineer, or other professional, this is your applicable rate. Budget it early.
Business Tangible Personal Property — Separate Filing, May 1 Deadline
Every business in Staunton must file a Business Personal Property return. This is a separate filing from your business license — it has a different deadline, different form, and different payment schedule.
What to report: An itemized list of all property employed in your business — furniture, fixtures, machinery, tools, computers, and equipment. Include fully depreciated items. If you’re still using a piece of equipment, it must be listed even if its book value is zero.
Filing deadline: May 1 — this is later than many Virginia cities that require personal property returns in March. Your business license renews March 1. Your personal property return is due May 1. Don’t conflate the two.
First-time filers: Download the 2025 Business Personal Property Form from ci.staunton.va.us. File with the Commissioner of the Revenue.
Returning filers: Your prior year asset list will be mailed to you in late March. Review it, add any new equipment acquired during the year, and return it to the Commissioner by May 1.
Payment due: December 5 — the Commissioner assesses the value of your reported property, and the Treasurer issues a bill for payment by December 5.
Missing the May 1 filing deadline results in the Commissioner estimating your personal property assessment based on prior years or available information — which is rarely in your favor. File on time.
Meals Tax and Lodging Tax
If your business involves food service or lodging, you’ll need to register with the Commissioner for the applicable excise taxes at the time of your license application.
Meals Tax: Applies to restaurants, caterers, convenience store food service, grocery delis, and any business selling prepared food and beverages. Register with the Commissioner and file returns on the required schedule.
Transient Occupancy (Lodging) Tax: Applies to hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and short-term rentals (including Airbnb and VRBO properties). Register with the Commissioner at the time of licensing.
Contact the Commissioner’s office at (540) 332-3829 for current rates and filing schedules for both taxes.
Enterprise Zone Incentives
Most of Staunton’s central business district and the West Beverley Street corridor are designated as a Virginia Enterprise Zone. If your business is locating or expanding within the zone, you may qualify for meaningful incentives.
State-level incentives available through the Virginia Enterprise Zone program include:
- Job creation grants for qualifying new positions
- Real property investment grants for qualifying improvements to zone properties
Local incentives: Staunton may offer local fee reductions and tax incentives for qualifying Enterprise Zone businesses.
How to determine eligibility: Contact Staunton Economic Development or the Staunton Downtown Development Association to verify whether your address is within the Enterprise Zone and what incentives currently apply.
Staunton Downtown Development Association stauntondowntown.org | (540) 332-3867
If you’re opening in the Wharf Historic District, along Beverley Street, or in the central business district, there’s a meaningful chance your location qualifies. Check before you finalize your location decision — available incentives can reduce your effective startup costs.
Employer Requirements
If you have employees, several additional registrations and obligations apply.
Workers’ Compensation: Virginia law requires employers with three or more regular employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Coverage must be provided at no cost to employees. Contact the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission for details.
Unemployment Insurance: Register with the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) for employer unemployment insurance. Required for any business with employees.
Virginia Income Tax Withholding: Withhold Virginia income tax from employee wages and remit to the Virginia Department of Taxation. State income tax withholding payments are due May 1 for the prior quarter (and on other periodic schedules depending on your withholding amount).
Federal Payroll Taxes: Register with the IRS for federal withholding, Social Security, and Medicare. Payroll tax deposits follow federal schedules based on your payroll amount.
Contact Summary
| Department | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Commissioner of Revenue (BPOL, personal property) | City Hall, 1st Floor, 116 W. Beverley St | (540) 332-3829 |
| Zoning Administrator / Inspection Division | City Hall | — |
| Clerk of Circuit Court | — | (540) 332-3874 |
| Staunton Downtown Development Association | PO Box 201 | (540) 332-3867 |
ci.staunton.va.us — Business Personal Property Form and city information cis.scc.virginia.gov — Virginia SCC entity registration stauntondowntown.org — Enterprise Zone eligibility and downtown business support
The Process in Order
- Register your LLC or corporation with the Virginia SCC (if applicable)
- Obtain your federal EIN
- Register with the Virginia Department of Taxation for sales tax and withholding
- Contact the Zoning Administrator at City Hall to determine occupancy permit requirements
- Obtain occupancy permit or zoning clearance
- Apply for your BPOL license with the Commissioner of the Revenue within 30 days of opening
- Register for meals tax or lodging tax at the time of license application (if applicable)
- If you have 3+ employees, obtain workers’ compensation coverage
- Register with the Virginia Employment Commission for unemployment insurance
- May 1: File Business Tangible Personal Property return with Commissioner
- December 5: Pay business tangible personal property tax
- March 1: Renew business license annually
The 30-day filing window and the separate May 1 personal property deadline are the two things most Staunton business owners don’t know until they’ve already missed one of them. Now you know both — put them on your calendar before you open the doors.
For businesses in the central business district or Wharf area, the Enterprise Zone inquiry is worth 20 minutes before you sign a lease. The available incentives are real, the process to check eligibility is simple, and the SDDA at stauntondowntown.org is easy to reach.
Special Considerations for Staunton Business Types
Restaurants and food service: Staunton’s culinary scene has grown significantly — the Wharf District is known for its concentration of restaurants and hospitality businesses. All food service establishments require a permit from the Central Shenandoah Health District before opening. Contact the Health District for inspection scheduling. Register for the meals tax with the Commissioner when you file your BPOL application.
Arts, galleries, and creative businesses: The American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse draws roughly 100,000 visitors annually, fueling a year-round arts economy. Arts and creative businesses in the downtown area often benefit directly from this foot traffic. Properties in Staunton’s historic districts may involve review by the Architectural Review Board for signage, exterior modifications, and use changes. Budget additional time if your space requires ARB approval.
Short-term rentals and lodging: Staunton’s tourism economy creates strong demand for lodging. Hotels, B&Bs, and short-term rental hosts (Airbnb, VRBO) must register for the transient occupancy (lodging) tax with the Commissioner. Virginia ABC licensing is required for any alcohol service. Short-term rental hosts should also confirm that their property’s zoning permits short-term rental use.
Contractors and trades: Virginia DPOR contractor’s license required before the Commissioner will issue a BPOL license for contracting work. Class A, B, or C license from dpor.virginia.gov. Workers’ compensation certificate also required if you have employees.
Professional services: At $0.40 per $100, the professional services BPOL rate is at Virginia’s statutory maximum. For an attorney, accountant, or consultant with $300,000 in annual gross receipts, that’s $1,200 per year in BPOL tax — an ongoing operating cost to include in annual projections.
Home-based businesses: Contact the Zoning Administrator before you start operating. Home occupation restrictions in Staunton typically limit signage, external advertising, non-resident employee presence, and customer traffic in residential areas. Getting zoning confirmation first prevents issues when you apply for your license.
Resources for Staunton Business Owners
Staunton Downtown Development Association (SDDA) PO Box 201, Staunton, VA 24402 Phone: (540) 332-3867 stauntondowntown.org
The SDDA is the primary downtown business support organization — marketing programming, events, economic development, and connections to other downtown business owners. If you’re opening anywhere in the central business district or Wharf area, reach out to the SDDA early in your planning process.
Staunton-Augusta County Chamber of Commerce Regional business network. Events, advocacy, and business-to-business connections.
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Free, confidential consulting for business planning, financial analysis, and loan preparation. No charge to entrepreneurs.
SCORE Free mentoring matched to your industry from retired business executives.
Virginia Business One Stop business.virginia.gov — State registration and tax registration portal.
For the complete Staunton business startup guide: How to Start a Business in Staunton, Virginia. For LLC formation: How to Start an LLC in Virginia.