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Home > Getting Started > Doing Business by City/County > Norfolk
Click on the link in the table below to learn more information:
Internal Revenue Service
Federal Building
200 Granby Street
Downtown Norfolk, VA 23510
1-800-829-3676
www.irs.gov
Virginia Employment Commission
5145 E. Virginia Beach Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23502
(757)455-3960
www.vec.state.va.us
Virginia Department of Taxation
Virginia Department of Taxation
Norfolk District Office, Koger Executive Center
6340 Centre Drive
Norfolk, VA 23502
(757)455-3810
www.tax.virginia.gov
Local Contractor Licenses
The city of Norfolk 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; However, Contractor Licenses are issued through the State not the City.
Contact:
Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
3600 W. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230-4917
(804)367-8511
www.dpor.state.va.us.
Health Department
830 Southampton Avenue, Suite 200
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757)683-2712
www.vdh.state.va.us
Food establishments, mobile food vendors, festival food vendors, barber and beauty shops, nail, tanning & electrology establishments, care facilities, hotels & motels, public swimming pools, bulk refuse containers, and demolition services must comply with health regulations in Nofolk.
Liquor License
For the distribution of alcoholic beverages in the city of Norfolk, businesses are required to get a liquor license.
Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
1103 South Military Highway
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757)424-6700
Department of City Planning and Codes Administration
810 Union Street
City Hall Building, 5th Floor, Room 508
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757)664-4752
www.abc.state.va.us
Business Licenses and Taxes
Commissioner of Revenue
810 Union Street
City Hall Building, 1st Floor, West Wing, Window 8
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757)441-2270
For more information on registering your business with the state, visit:
Virginia State Corporation Commission
Official Norfolk, VA Website
Personal Property
Commissioner of Revenue
810 Union Street
City Hall Building, 1st Floor, West Wing, Window 8
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757)441-2270
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:
Norfolk Circuit Court
100 St. Pauls Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757)664-4580
Planning and Building Processes
The city of Norfolk has developed a guide for the planning and building process called the Norfolk Business Resource Guide.
Contact planning and zoning departments:
Department of Planning and Codes Administration
810 Union Street
City Hall Building, 5th Floor, Room 508
Norfolk, VA 23510
Zoning Permits -
Division of Codes Administration-Granby Municipal Building
400 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
Permits that can be obtained through these departments include:
Building/Construction, Bulk Refuse Containers, Demolition, Driveway, Dumpster, Dune, Wetland, Electrical, Fire, Mechanical, Occupancy, Plumbing, Right of Way Encroachment, and Zoning.
A site plan will need to be filed, where applicable and an appointment with a Plan Reviewer is recommended. Call (757)664-6500 to setup an appointment.
Permit Review Processes
The review processes for different permits take different amounts of time.
- Design Review Process - 2 weeks
- Site Plan - 2 weeks
- Wetland/Dune - 2 to 3 months
- Erosion Control - up to 2 weeks
- ABC License - varies
- Landscaping Site Review - 1-10 working days
- Preliminary Subdivision review - 30 days preliminary with final plan review within 60 days of submission
A building permit is required when business a new structure from the ground up or making repairs to an existing structure. If electricity and gas have been turned off at a vacant business location, all that is necessary to restore it is payment of all fees and deposits. A permit is required for reconnection of a utility only if the utility work includes related construction work. For Water/Sewer reconnection to be approved call (757)664-6704.
The reconnection time, referred to as "Water and Sewer HookUps" - For construction where there is existing water and sewer service, the average time frame for a water meter installation is one week. For new construction where there is no existing water and sewer hookups, the average time frame for a water tap and meter installation is six weeks. The permit application must be completed by the person who will do the work. If the work is structural, two sets of drawings and three site plans are required.
If a business wants to make an addition to an existing building or build a new building first a zoning certificate must be issued prior to the land being occupied or used and no building, structure or sign shall be located, constructed, reconstructed, enlarged or structurally altered until a Zoning Certificate is issued. For expansion projects, the requirements are building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical permits and final inspections; two sets of drawings and three site plans where applicable. For new construction, a final inspecion and issuance of a certificate of occupancy; in addition to the issuing permits, drawings, and site plans.
- A plat and plan in quadruplicate, drawn to scale, showing the actual shape and dimensions of the lots to be built upon or used.
- The exact size and location on the lot of the existing buildings, structures and accessory buildings.
- The lines within which the proposed building or structure shall be erected or altered.
- The existing and intended use of each building or part of a building.
- The number of families or housekeeping units the building is designed to accommodate - if applicable.
- Any other information with regard to the lot and neighboring lots as may be necessary for the enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance.
Business-Related Signs
If a business wants to erect a sign, they must obtain a sign certificate from the Zoning Administrator. Sign contraints vary and a zoning permit is required. The procedure for obtaining a sign permit are to submit the plans depicting the sign layout, drawings of all signs and sign related activities. Upon review and approval of the materials, a Sign Certificate is issued.
Fire Code Regulations
Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code published by BOCA, NFPA#101 Life Safety Code and City of Norfolk amendments by ordinance.
Fire Prevention Division, (757)664-6604
Home-Based Businesses
Home-based businesses in Norfolk must not create any additional traffic. Obtaining a Home Occupation Permit and issuance of a Business License through the Commissioner of Revenue are required.
Commissioner of Revenue
(757)441-2270
Only restricted types of business services can be conducted in a home. A home-based business can hire people to work for them under limited conditions.
Business Incentives
Norfolk is a part of Virginia's Enterprise Zone. The business loan programs available in Norfolk include:
Guardian Loan Program, Norfolk Enterprise Community Loan Fund, and Minority Economic Development through Assisted Lending (MEDAL) Loan Program.
Other business incentives in Norfolk include:
Federal, State and Local Enpowerment Zone, State Enterprise Zone and Federal Enterprise Community Incentives and SBA HUBZone Contracting Program.
To find out more about these programs contact:
Department of Development, City of Norfolk, Manager, Special Districts/Programs at (757)664-4319. |
