Home > Getting Started > Doing Business by City/County > Portsmouth
Click on the link in the table below to learn more information:
Internal Revenue Service
200 Granby St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 213-3925
1-800-829-1040
www.irs.gov
Virginia Employment Commission
3116 South Street
Portsmouth, VA 23707-4115
(757) 396-6865
www.vec.state.va.us
Virginia Department of Taxation
Koger Executive Center
6340 Centre Drive
Norfolk, VA 23502
(757) 455-3810
www.tax.virginia.gov
Local Contractor Licenses
Portsmouth requires 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:
Department of Community Quality & Planning Services
(Building Standards Division)
801 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8531
www.portsmouthva.gov/
Health Department
1701 High Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704-3103
(757) 393-8585
Liquor License
1103 S. Military Highway
Chesapeake, VA 23325
(757) 424-6700
www.abc.state.va.us
Business Licenses and Taxes
Commissioner of Revenue
801 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704-2301
(757) 393-8771
The only other business-related licenses required for the City of Portsmouth are the appropriate zoning permits.
For more information on registering your business with the state, visit:
Virginia State Corporation Commission
Personal Property
Commissioner of Revenue
801 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704-2301
(757) 393-8771
Other Taxes
ther taxes collected include:
Transient Occupancy Tax, Restaurant/Alcohol Tax and Admissions Tax.
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 contact:
Commissioner of Revenue
801 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704-2301
(757) 393-8771
Planning and Building Processes
Call: (757) 393-8836 for Planning & Inspections
Visit: 801 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Permits that can be obtained through these departments include:
Zoning Clearance; Historical District Clearance; Building Permits.
A site plan will need to be filed and an appointment with a Planner is recommended. Call (757) 393-8836 to setup an appointment.
For Information and forms: http://www.portsmouthva.gov/
Business-Related Signs
If a business wants to erect a sign, the size, zoning, and construction drawing are required. The general size constraints are 1 to 1 for commercial signs. Permits are required and the procedure for obtaining a sign permit are an application, drawings, and payment of the Permit fee.
Fire Code Regulations
Portsmouth Fire Marshall (757) 393-8689
Permit Review Processes
The review processes for different permits take different amounts of time.
- Rezoning: 90 days
- Historic District: 30 days
- Building Permits: 1 to 30 days
Permits are required for new construction and renovations.
Fee Schedule: http://www.portsmouthva.gov/
Home-Based Businesses
Home-based businesses in Portsmouth are allowed as a home occupation for the occupant of the business dwelling only. No customers are allowed on site. A business license is required. Zoning clearance must be obtained to get the business license.
Planning & Inspections/Building Standards Division: (757) 393-8531
Commissioner of Revenue: (757) 393-8771
Signs are not allowed for home-based businesses and the office work is the only type of business that can be conducted from the home. Home-based businesses can hire employees only if they do not come to the home to meet or go work at the job site.
To start a home-based business in Portsmouth:
Contact Planning & Inspections/Building Standards Division(757) 393-8531 for Zoning Clearance.
Contact Commissioner of Revenue (757) 393-8771 for a Business License.
Business Incentives
Portsmouth is a part of Virginia's Enterprise Zone. There are no business loan programs currently available through the city of Portsmouth; however, loan programs are available through the private sector. Certain portions of the city are designated as Empowerment Zones, HUBZones, and Foreign-Trade Zones.
Contact the Portsmouth Economic Development Department (757) 393-8804 or visit http://www.portsmouth.va.us/econdev/. |
