Home > Getting Started > Doing Business by City/County > Chesapeake
Click on the link in the table below to learn more information:
Internal Revenue Service
Room 114, Federal Building
200 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
www.irs.gov
Virginia Employment Commission
504 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757)547-9717
www.vec.state.va.us
Virginia Department of Taxation
6340 Center Drive
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757)455-3810
NEED URL
Local Contractor Licenses
The city of Chesapeake does require licensure for building contractors, residential contractors, and subcontractors (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, masonry, etc.) for making additions to existing structures, or those involved in remodeling, repair, or demolition of existing structures.
Contact:
Department of Inspections
City of Chesapeake
306 Cedar Road, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 15225
Chesapeake, VA 23328
(757)382-6018 or (757)382-6324
NEED URL
Health Department
For Residents:
4452 Corporation Lane
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
(757)518-2700
www.vdh.state.va.us
For Businesses:
Chesapeake Health Department
748 N. Battlefield Blvd.
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757)382-8600
NEED URL
To find out what types of businesses must comply with health regulations in Chesapeake contact the Chesapeake Health Department at (757)382-8600.
Liquor License
For the distribution of alcoholic beverages in the city of Chesapeake, businesses are required to get a liquor license.
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Department
1103 South Military Highway
Chesapeake, VA 23325
(757)424-6700
www.abc.state.va.us
Business Licenses and Taxes
Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue
306 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, VA 23322
(757)382-6455
http://www.chesapeake.va.us/services/depart/com-rev/com-rev.html
Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue office to find out what other business-related licenses are required in Chesapeake.
For more information on registering your business with the state, visit:
Virginia State Corporation Commission
Personal Property
Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue
306 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, VA 23322
(757)382-6455
Other Taxes
There are other taxes collected for lodging, meal & beverage, machinery & tool, business property, real estate, admissions, short-term rental, and utility. Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue office to find out how to pay these taxes.
Name Registration
To register assumed names, trade names and DBA's go to the Commissioner of the Revenue office.
Planning and Building Processes
Contact planning and zoning departments:
Economic Development Department Development Services Coordinator:
(757)382-8040
Department of Planning:
(757)382-6018
Department of Inspections:
(757)382-6018
Department of Public Works:
(757)382-6101
Permits that can be obtained through these departments:
| Rezoning |
Electrical |
| Conditional Use |
Mechanical |
| Preliminary Site Plan |
Sign |
| Final Site Plan |
Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act |
| Land Disturbing |
Hauling |
| Excavation |
Demolition |
| Right-of-Way |
Certificate of Occupancy |
| Plumbing |
|
A site plan will need to be filed and an appointment with a planner is recommended. Call (757)382-6176 to setup an appointment. For more information and to download forms, visit http://www.chesapeake.va.us/services/depart/planning/planning.html.
Business-Related Signs
To find out if there are any requirements for business signs, contact the Zoning Administration at (757)787-5721.
Fire Code Regulations
The source of Accomack County's firecode is Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code. Buiding Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) 1996 edition.
For fire code compliance issues, contact:
Building & Zoning Administrator
(757)787-5721
Permit Review Processes
The review processes for different permits take different amounts of time.
| 1. Rezoning |
90 days |
| 2. Conditional Use |
90 days |
| 3. Preliminary Site Plan |
60 days |
| 4. Final Site Plan |
One week |
| 5. Land Disturbing |
One week |
| 6. Excavation Bond |
One week |
| 7. Right-of-Way Permit |
One week |
| 8. Building Plan Review |
Three weeks |
| 9. Building Permit |
Three weeks |
| 10. Plumbing Permit |
One week |
| 11. Electrical Permit |
One week |
| 12. Mechanical Permit |
One week |
| 13. Sign Permit |
One week |
| 14. Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Stormwater Permit |
One week |
| 15. Hauling Permit |
One week |
| 16. Demolition Permit |
One week |
| 17. Certificate of Occupancy |
Varies |
Please note that not every permit is required for every project. Also, some permits can be phased throughout the project, and/or processed concurrently, to reduce impact on development time. For example, land disturbance permit may be issued to allow site clearing while site plan permit is sill being reviewed.
Building permits are normally required for new construction and interior build-outs/refits. Contact Chesapeake Inspections Department for specific guidance. Permit fee depends on size of building.
To find out how to restore electricity and gas to a vacant business location, whether a permit is required to reconnect a utility, how to get a reconnection approved, or how long the reconnection permit will take contact Valma Ricks, Department of Inspections at (757)382-8545.
Only the owner of the property or a licensed contractor can apply for a permit.
For new constructions, additions, or alterations, a minimum of two sets of plans and a copy of the site plan is required to apply for various permits.
A minimum of two sets of plans and a copy of the site plan is required if a business wants to make an addition to an existing building or build a new building.
Home-Based Businesses
Proper Zoning is the only issue involved in having a home-based business. The licenses and permits that are required are possible condition use permit and business license permit. To obtain this approval apply for the conditional use permit through the Planning Department. This may require a public hearing. Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue for Business License Information.
Contacts for each of the Departments involved:
Planning Department: Dorothy Kowalsky (757)382-6176
Commissioner of the Revenue: Susan Cooley (757)382-6455
Contact the Chesapeake Inspections Department at (757)382-8446, to find out whether signs are allowed for these home-based businesses, what kind of business can be conducted in the home, and whether a home-based business can hire people to work for them.
Contact the Chesapeake Inspections office at (757)382-8446 or the Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue at (757)382-6455, to learn the steps to starting a home-based business in Chesapeake.
Business Incentives
Chesapeake is part of Virginia's Enterprise Zone.
The City of Chesapeake offers local Economic Development Investment Grants to qualified businesses.
Industrial Revenue Bonds are available through the City of Chesapeake Industrial Development Authority.
To find out more information about the business incentives in Chesapeake contact the Chesapeake Economic Development Department, (757)382-8040, or www.yeschesapeake.com. |
