How to Get a Business License in Virginia Beach — 2026 Guide
Quick Overview
Starting a business in Virginia Beach, VA requires registrations across federal, state, county, and city agencies. The primary registration is the Business License through the Commissioner of the Revenue.
Difficulty: 5-7/10. BPOL tax at city level. Virginia has independent cities not in any county. No general state business license.
PermitBoard generates a complete, ordered roadmap for your specific business type in Virginia Beach — with fees, timelines, and direct links to every form. Get My Roadmap →
Should You Start a Business in Virginia Beach?
✔ Pros:
- Large market (460K population)
- City licence fee: BPOL tax on gross receipts
- 2-6 weeks estimated processing time
- No state franchise tax
⚠ Cons:
- Moderate complexity — standard multi-agency process
- Virginia independent city — not in any county
👉 Bottom line: Business-friendly environment with straightforward permit process.
What You'll Pay
Upfront Costs
| Permit | Fee | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| EIN (federal tax ID) | Free | IRS |
| LLC filing | $100 LLC | VA Secretary of State |
| Seller's permit | Varies | State tax agency |
| Business License | BPOL tax on gross receipts | Commissioner of the Revenue |
General business total: BPOL tax on gross receipts.
Ongoing Costs
| Obligation | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Business License renewal | BPOL tax on gross receipts | Annual (due Annual — March 1) |
The Permit Stack
Step 1: Federal: EIN from IRS (free, instant online)
Step 2: State: LLC/Corp filing + seller's permit/sales tax registration
Step 3: County: health department permit + fire inspection
Step 4: City: business licence/tax certificate
File your LLC online: scc.virginia.gov
Apply for city licence: virginiabeach.gov
By Business Type
Restaurant: City business licence + county health permit + fire inspection. Alcohol requires separate state/local liquor licence.
Food Truck: Mobile food vendor permit (city) + county health permit. Some cities limit permits.
Home Based: Home occupation permit. Zoning approval required. Often cheapest category.
Retail: Standard business licence. Lower complexity than food businesses.
Contractor: State contractor licence often required in addition to city licence.
Catering: County health permit + city business licence. Commercial kitchen requirement.
Temporary Food Vendor: Temporary food permit from county health department.
What Most People Miss
- Virginia independent city — not in any county
- BPOL (Business Professional & Occupational License) tax
- Tourism/beach businesses have seasonal considerations
- VA independent city system is unique in the US
- Military presence (Naval Air Station Oceana) creates unique business opportunities
Key Contacts
Commissioner of the Revenue
Phone: 757-385-8410
virginiabeach.gov
Timeline
Estimated total: 2-6 weeks from EIN to fully licensed, assuming no zoning issues or inspection delays.
Don't Guess — Get Your Roadmap
Every business type has different requirements. PermitBoard analyzes your specific business type against Virginia Beach's actual requirements and gives you a step-by-step plan with fees, timelines, and direct links to every form.
Get My Permit Roadmap for Virginia Beach →
Nearby Cities
Starting a business nearby? See our guides:
- Norfolk · Chesapeake · Newport News · Hampton