Business Licenses

Most businesses located within Powhatan County are subject to a Powhatan County business license tax. All Powhatan County business licenses require an annual flat fee of $50. Powhatan County does NOT tax businesses based on gross receipts.

New businesses must obtain all required licenses prior to grossing $3,000 during a calendar year. (Direct-Selling businesses must obtain required licenses prior to grossing $4,000. Out-of-county contractors must obtain required licenses prior to grossing $25,000).

For existing businesses, renewal applications must be filed in the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office or postmarked on or before March 1 of each year to avoid a $10 late payment penalty.

**Please note, for existing businesses, if the physical address of the business changes, a new application must be submitted to the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue. There is no fee for address changes.

To apply for your license, please perform the following steps in the order in which they are presented.

1.    Powhatan County requires that all county residents applying for a business license ensure that the location for the business be properly zoned for its intended use by such business. Call or visit the Community Development Department (804-598-5621) to find out if your business location is properly zoned for your business activities, especially if you intend to conduct business from your home. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. *Please note that non-residents do not have to obtain zoning approval from the Community Development Department.

2.    Effective January 1, 2020, the Virginia State Corporation Commission has been directed by the General Assembly to take over the registration of assumed or fictitious names for all businesses that require name recordation. Please visit www.scc.virginia.gov  or call 1-866-722-2551 for more information. Virginia Code §59.1-74 requires that proof of recordation must be submitted to the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue before a business license may be issued.

CONTRACTORS ONLY: Register with the State Board for Contractors, located at 9960 Mayland Drive, Richmond (804-367-8511, www.dpor.virginia.gov), if you accept individual contracts of $1,000 or more. Virginia Code 54.1-1111(B) requires that contractors must provide their State Board of Contractors registration number before a license may be issued.

CONTRACTORS ONLY:  Proof of Workers' Compensation Insurance must be verified in the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office. Virginia Code §58.1-3714B(1) prohibits a county from issuing or reissuing a business license to a contractor who has not obtained or is not maintaining worker’s compensation coverage for his employees, if such coverage is required. Questions regarding workers’ compensation coverage requirements should be directed to the Workers’ Compensation Commissioner at 1000 DMV Drive, Richmond (804-367-2071).

Complete the Powhatan County Business License Application and bring the documents listed below to the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue. Please be sure to bring all applicable items with you when applying.

ALL APPLICANTS:

◦Zoning approval from the Community Development Department (county residents only)  

◦Proof of recordation of assumed or fictitious name with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (if applicable)

◦Payment (make checks payable to Treasurer, Powhatan County)

 CONTRACTORS ONLY:

◦State Contractor's License or Affidavit of Contractor
​ ​

**Effective immediately, contractors are no longer required to submit written verification of Workers' Compensation Insurance to the Commissioner of the Revenue. However,  Workers' Compensation Insurance must still be confirmed prior to receiving a county business license, if applicable. 
 

​For assistance with the business license application or the licensing process, please contact the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office at 804-598-5616 or visit the office during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.).