Business Licensing

The Commissioner of the Revenue assesses Cumberland County business license fees on businesses conducted in Cumberland County. Most of the county license fees are levied on the basis of gross receipts. The license must be renewed by March 1 of each year. Application must be made with the Commissioner of the Revenue's office within 30 days of the start of the business.

Application

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

1. Cumberland County Code §18-33(c) requires every person applying for a business license to ensure that the location for the business be properly zoned for its intended use by such business. Call or visit the Planning Department (call 804-492-3520) to find out if your business location is properly zoned for your business activities, especially if you intend to conduct business from your home.
2. Visit the Virginia State Corporation Commission website if you will be operating a business under an assumed or fictitious trade name. A trade name that includes the sole proprietors' last name does not need to be recorded. A trade name using only an individual's initials or any other fictitious name which differs from the actual sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, or corporate name must be recorded with the Virginia State Corporation Commission. Virginia Code §59.1-74 requires that the Commissioner of the Revenue's office must receive proof of recordation with Virginia State Corporation Commission before business license can be issued. A fee of $10 must be paid at the time of application.

Contractors Only

1. If you are in one of the following categories, you must register with the State Board for Contractors, located at:
   9960 Mayland Drive
   Richmond, VA 23233
   Phone: 804-367-8511
2. Virginia Code §54.1-1111(B) requires that contractors in either of these categories must provide their State Board of Contractors registration number before a license may be issued.
   • Accept individual contracts of $1,000 or more
   • Have total gross receipts in excess of $150,000 during a 12-month period

3. Complete the Application for Cumberland County Business License (PDF) and bring the following documents listed to the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue.

Application Checklist

The following list of paperwork is required prior to the issuance of a Cumberland County Business License. Please be sure to bring all applicable items with you when applying:

All Applicants

• Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name form filed online with the State Corporation Commission
• Payment (make checks payable to Treasurer, Cumberland County)
• State-issued picture identification
• Zoning Permit Application (PDF) approved and filed with the Zoning Department

More Information?

Try these helpful sites:

• Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
• Small Business Administration
• Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity
• Virginia State Corporation Commission
• New Virginia Business Registration