Home > Getting Started > Doing Business by City/County > Suffolk
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
1-800-829-3676
www.irs.gov
Virginia Employment Commission
2019 Meade Parkway
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 925-2376
www.vec.virginia.gov/vecportal
Virginia Department of Taxation
7 Koger Executive Center
Norfolk, VA 23502
(757) 455-3810
www.tax.virginia.gov
Local Contractor Licenses
The city of Suffolk 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:
Neighborhood Development Services
441 Market Street
Suffolk, VA 23434-5237
(757) 923-2140
www.suffolk.va.us
Health Department
Suffolk Health Department
1217 North Main Street
Suffolk, VA 23434-4320
(757) 686-4900
Liquor License
For the distribution of alcoholic beverages in the city of Suffolk, businesses are required to get a liquor license.
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Department
1103 South Military Highway
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 424-6700
www.abc.state.va.us
Business Licenses and Taxes
Commissioner of Revenue
441 Market Street
Suffolk, VA 23434-5237
(757) 923-3800
www.suffolk.va.us
For more information on registering your business with the state, visit:
Virginia State Corporation Commission
Personal Property
Commissioner of Revenue
Thomas Hazelwood
441 Market Street
Suffolk, VA 23434-5237
(757) 923-3800
Other Taxes
There are other taxes collected for Prepared Food and Beverage Tax, Machinery and Tool tax and certain franchise taxes. 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 Revenue office.
Planning and Building Processes
Call (757) 923-2140 for Neighborhood Development Services
Call (757) 923-3650 for Planning
or by at P.O. Box 1858, Suffolk, VA 23439
A site plan needs to be files and an appointment with a planner is recommended. Call (757) 923-3650 to make an appointment.
www.suffolk.va.us
Business-Related Signs
If a business wants to erect a sign, they will need a sign permit as well as a building permit. Size constraints for signs is determined by zone. To obtain a sign permit, apply to Neighborhood Development Services and submit two sets of site plans.
Fire Code Regulations
The source of Suffolk fire code is the National Fire Prevention Association and Building Official Code Administration - Fire Prevention Code.
Suffolk Fire Marshall: (757) 925-5745
Permit Review Processes
he review processes for different permits take different amounts of time.
- Site & Bldg. Plan Review - Residential: one week
Commercial: 30 days
- Permits based on completion of other requirements
- Inspections within 24 hours of request
A building permit is required for structures over 150 square feet. H1, H2 Use Permit required for any size structure. If the electricity and gas have been turned off at a vacant business location, an inspection is not required to restore it unless their has been damage to the structure (fire, etc.) A permit is required to connect a utility in all new renovations and new constructions.
Neighborhood Development Services: (757) 923-2140
A reconnection permit takes 48 hours. Only the Contractor or Owner can apply for permits. To apply for the various permits, you may need the following information:
Square footage, Exterior finish, overall dimensions, survey plat, number of stories, Estimated Cost, Lot number, model number address, set backs, fireplaces. This information will also be required for a business to make an addition to an existing building or build a new building.
Home-Based Businesses
In Suffolk, home-based businesses must conform with zoning restrictions.
Neighborhood Development Services: (757) 923-2140
Commissioner of Revenue: (757) 923-3800
Home-based business are allowed one 16 square foot free standing sign with a maximum height of 4 feet and one 16 square foot wall sign. The type of businesses that can be conducted in the home is based on zoning. Home-based businesses can not hire people to work for them.
Business Incentives
Suffolk is part of Virginia's Enterprise Zone.
Applications for Business Loan Programs available in the city of Suffolk are available through the Suffolk Department of Economic Development at (757) 923-3620.
There are other incentives for businesses locating in Suffolk based on investment and job creation. For more information, contact the Suffolk Economic Development Department at (757) 923-3620. |
