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1. Will your business be located within the city limits of Portsmouth? Or, Will you conduct business within the city limits?

No? Then you do not need a City of Portsmouth Business License.

Yes? Then go to question number 2.

2. Is your business zoned to conduct your type of business at your proposed business location or, is the property or space you are about to rent will pass building and fire code requirement?

Yes, contact Portsmouth Department of Permits and Inspections:
City Hall
801 Crawford Street
Phone: 757-393-8531

No, continue to question number 3.

3. Are you looking for available property or building to conduct your business?

Yes, contact Economic Development:
200 High Street
Suite 200
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Phone: 757-393-8804

No, continue to question number 4.

4. Will you be using a sign to advertise your business? or, Will any building construction or tenant improvements be required for your business? or, Will there be a change in property use from occupant?

Yes, to any of the above three questions, contact Portsmouth Department of Permits and Inspections at:
City Hall
801 Crawford Street
Phone: 757-393-8531

For sign code compliance; or, for plan review, permit and certificate of occupancy issuance. After contact, continue to question number 5.

No, continue to question number 5.

5. Will your business operate out of your home?

Yes, contact Portsmouth Department of Permits and Inspections at:
City Hall
801 Crawford Street
Phone: 757-393-8531

After contact, continue to question number 6.

No, continue to question number 6.

6. Will your business sell or serve beer, wine and/or liquor?

Yes, contact Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for state licensing, local office:
1103 S Military Highway
Phone: 757-424-6700

Once state licensing, for local business licensing, is received contact City of Portsmouth Commissioner of the Revenue's Business Tax Section:
City Hall
801 Crawford Street
Phone: 757-393-8866

After contact, continue to question number 7.

No, continue to question number 7. Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

7. Will your business involve food preparation, tattoo or massage facility, hotel or public pool?

Yes, for approval contact Portsmouth Health Department:
1701 High Street
Phone: 757-393-8585

After contact, continue to question number 8.

No, continue to question number 8. Portsmouth Health Department

8. Will your business involve manufacturing?

Yes, contact City of Portsmouth Commissioner of the Revenue's Business Tax Section:
City Hall
801 Crawford Street
Phone: 757-393-8866

After contact, continue to question number 9.

No, continue to question number 9.

9. Will you have three or more employees other than yourself?

Yes, contact the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission:
1000 DMV Drive
Richmond, VA
Phone: 877-664-2566

To inquire about workers' compensation insurance requirements. You may obtain workers' compensation insurance from your own insurance company. After contact, continue to question number 10.

No, continue to question number 10. Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission

10. Are you a general or sub-contractor?

Yes, contact the State Board for Contractors, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation for registration:
9960 Mayland Drive
Suite 400
Richmond, VA
Phone: 804-367-8511

After contact, continue to question number 11.

No, continue to question number 11. State Board for Contractors

11. Will your business be a Corporation or a Limited Liability Company? or, Is your business incorporated or registered in another state?

Yes, contact the State Corporation Commission:
P.O. Box 1197
Richmond, VA
Phone: 866-722-2551

After contact, continue to question number 12.

No, continue to question number 12. State Corporation Commission

12. Do you need Federal Internal Revenue Service forms, a Federal ID Number or other tax information?

Yes, inquire with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, 800-829-1040 for forms and instructions. Continue to question number 13.

No, continue to question number 13. U.S. Internal Revenue Service

13. Are you applying for a City of Portsmouth Business License that will require you to collect or pass on the tax on retail sales? Will you require Virginia Sales Tax information, on sales or use tax?

Yes, contact Virginia Department of Taxation:
P.O. Box 1115
Richmond, VA 23218-1115
Phone: 804-367-8037

After contact, continue to question number 14.

No, continue to question number 14. Virginia Department of Taxation

14. Will you use a fictitious trade name or "doing business as" name?

Yes, to register a trade name, contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court:
601 Crawford Street
Phone: 757-393-8631

After contact, continue to question number 15.

No, continue to question number 15.

15. Will you be using personal property or machinery and tools for business purposes?

Yes, contact the Business Unit of the Portsmouth Commissioner of the Revenue Office:
801 Crawford Street
Phone: 757-393-8866

For information concerning the taxation of business personal property. After contact, continue to question number 16.

No, continue to question number 16.

16. Where do I obtain my Business License?

The appropriate Business License can be issued through the Business Tax Section
Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue:
801 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704