The following is a abbreviated reference guide to licenses, permits and required taxes in Fairfax County. For more information on these regulations, request or download a copy of Doing Business in Fairfax County.
| License/Permit
/Regulation |
Who Must Comply |
Whom to Contact |
| Air Pollution Control/Hazardous Materials Permits |
Facilities emitting gases or particles into the air |
FC Dept. of Health, Air Quality Section,
703-246-2411 |
| |
Facilities with specified air emission units |
VA Dept. of Environmental Quality.
703-583-3800 |
| |
Facilities using/operating with any hazardous material. |
FC Fire and Rescue Dept.
703-246-4386 |
| Alcoholic Beverage Licenses |
All retail outlets selling alcoholic beverages |
VA ABC Board,
703-313-4432
FC Dept. of Tax Administration
703-222-8234 |
| Building Permits |
Those erecting or modifying building structures |
FC Dept. of Public Works and Environmental Services
703-222-0801 |
| Business, Professional and Occupational Licenses (BPOL) |
All businesses located or operating in Fairfax County with gross receipts of at least $10,001 for the preceding year |
FC Dept. of Tax Administration
703-222-8234 |
| Business Trusts |
Those establishing a business trust in VA |
VA State Corporation Commission, 804-371-9733 |
| Certificates of Authority |
Corporations doing business in Virginia but incorporated elsewhere |
VA State Corporation Commission,
804-371-9733 |
| Child Labor Work Permits |
All employers |
VA Dept. of Labor and Industry
804-371-2327 |
| Commercial Waste Disposal Permits |
Businesses disposing of their own generated waste; commercial disposal services |
FC Division of Solid Waste
703-631-1179 |
| Contractor Licenses |
Practicing electrical, mechanical (HVAC), plumbing and home improvement contractors |
FC Dept. of Public Works and Environmental Services (Licensing Section) 703-324-1877; VA Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulation
804-367-8500 |
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| Electrical Permits |
Those installing or replacing electrical equipment |
FC Dept. of Public Works and Environmental Services
703-222-0801 |
| Employer ID Number |
Businesses required to file federal tax documents |
U.S. Internal Revenue Service
800-829-1040 or 800-829-3676 |
| Federal Licenses |
Businesses in federally regulated industries |
Various agencies |
| Fire Department Inspections |
Those erecting or modifying building structures |
FC Fire and Rescue Dept. Fire Prevention Services Branch
703-246-2126 |
| Food Service Permits |
All food establishments |
FC Dept. of Health,
703-246-2444 |
| Franchise Registration |
Franchise businesses operating in Virginia |
VA State Corporation Commission, 804-371-9733 |
| Hazardous Materials |
Facilities using/operating with any hazardous material (physical, chemical, health or other) |
FC Fire and Rescue Dept. Hazardous Materials Services Branch,
703-246-2126 |
| Home Child Care Facility Permits |
Persons providing child care at home who are not licensed to provide such care by the State of Virginia |
FC Dept. of Family Services Office for Children
703-324-8100 |
| Home Occupation Permits |
Businesses located at residential addresses |
FC Dept. of Planning and Zoning,
703-222-1082 |
| Incorporation |
Organizations forming corporations in Virginia |
VA State Corporation Commission, 804-371-9733 |
| Limited Liability Companies |
Those establishing a limited liability company in VA |
VA State Corporation Commission, 804-371-9733 |
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| Mechanical Permits |
Those installing or replacing mechanical equipment |
FC Dept. of Public Works and Environmental Services
703-222-0801 |
| Non-Residential Use Permits (Non-RUP) |
Those building new office buildings or changing the use of building(s) |
FC Dept. of Planning and Zoning,
703-222-1082 |
| Partnerships |
Those developing a business partnership in Virginia |
VA State Corporation Commission,
804-371-9733 |
| Plumbing Permits |
Those installing or replacing plumbing equipment |
FC Dept. of Public Works and Environmental Services
703-222-0801 |
| Recycling |
Owners of office buildings/complexes with 200+ occupancy; owners of other business properties generating 100+ tons of solid waste/year |
FC Division of Solid Waste Collection and Recycling
703-324-5230 |
| Sole Proprietorships |
Sole owners of businesses |
FC Dept. of Tax Administration
703-222-8234 |
| State Occupation/Business Licenses |
Occupations and professions that require state license |
Various state agencies
804-786-0000 |
| Taxicab and Solicitors Licenses |
Taxicab operators/drivers, precious metal dealers, massage parlor operators, gun dealers and pawnbrokers |
FC Dept. of Telecommunications and Consumer Services
703-222-8435 |
| Trade Name Registration |
Businesses operating under a trade or fictitious name |
FC Circuit Court Clerk's Office
703-691-7320 |
| Trademark Registration |
Any person who owns/uses a trademark in Virginia |
VA State Corporation Commission,
804-371-9051 |
| Unemployment Insurance |
Businesses employing one or more persons for 20 or more weeks during a year and other criteria |
VA Employment Commission
804-786-4359; VEC Fairfax Office,
703-803-0000 |
| Wastewater Discharge Permits |
Any facility emitting potentially harmful substances through the wastewater system |
FC Dept. of Public Works & Environmental Services
703-550-9740, x252 |
| Workers' Compensation Insurance |
Companies with three or more employees |
VA Workers' Compensation Commission,
804-367-8600 or 877-664-2566 |
| Miscellaneous Fairfax County Business Licenses |
Operators of health spas, commercial swimming pools, auto graveyards, etc. |
FC Dept. of Tax Administration
703-222-8234 |
| Required Tax |
Who is Required to Pay |
Whom to Contact |
| Annual Corporate Registration Fee |
All incorporated businesses conducting business in Virginia |
VA State Corporation Commission
804-371-9733 |
| Business Personal Property Tax |
All businesses in Fairfax County |
FC Dept. of Tax Administration
703-222-8234 |
| Business, Professional and Occupational License Tax (BPOL) |
All businesses in Fairfax County with gross receipts of at least $10,001 for the preceding year |
FC Dept. of Tax Administration
703-222-8234 |
| Consumer Utility Tax (local) |
All commercial operators utilizing telephone, gas and/or electricity |
FC Dept. of Tax Administration
703-222-8234 |
| Corporate Income Tax |
All corporations in Virginia |
VA Dept. of Taxation,
804-367-8036 |
| Employer Withholding |
Employers with one or more employees |
U.S. Internal Revenue Service,
800-TAX-1040;
VA Dept. of Taxation,
804-367-8037 |
| Limited Liability Companies |
Limited liability companies operating in Virginia |
VA Dept. of Taxation, 804-367-8037 |
| Partnerships |
Partners operating in Virginia |
VA Dept. of Taxation,
804-367-8037 |
| Real Property Tax |
Real property owners |
FC Dept. of Tax Administration,
703-222-8234 |
| Sales and Use Tax |
Businesses and individuals making certain purchases |
VA Dept. of Taxation,
804-367-8037 |
| Sole Proprietorships |
Sole proprietors operating in Virginia |
VA Dept. of Taxation,
804-367-8037 |
| Unemployment Insurance Taxes |
Business employing one or more persons for 20 or more weeks during a calendar year, or if they pay wages of $1,500 or more during a calendar quarter. |
VA Employment Commission, 804-786-1485
U.S. Internal Revenue Service, 800-TAX-1040 |
Utility Consumption Tax |
All commercial operations using gas and electricity |
VA State Corporation Commission
804-371-9480 |
