Chesapeake, VA Business License Guide

Last updated: September 2025

This is a practical, no-fluff hub for getting fully licensed to do business in Chesapeake, Virginia. It covers the Chesapeake business license (BPOL), zoning and occupancy, state and federal registrations, local taxes, real timelines, typical costs, and where to get help. Everything links to official sources so you can verify quickly.

Quick help box

• Start here: Apply for your City of Chesapeake Business License (BPOL) with the Commissioner of the Revenue. Use the city’s official page for forms, renewals, and tax questions: Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue – Business Taxes and Licensing.
• Before you file BPOL: Confirm zoning/use and get any required occupancy or home occupation approval from Development & Permits: Chesapeake Development & Permits – Zoning and Permits.
• Virginia entity setup: Register your LLC/corporation with the State Corporation Commission (SCC). Online filings are fast. LLC formation fee is $100; annual LLC registration fee is $50. See: Virginia SCC – Clerk’s Information System (CIS) and SCC Business Entity Fees.
• Taxes to register for: Sales tax, employer withholding, and more via the Virginia Department of Taxation: Virginia Tax – Business Registration. Chesapeake’s total retail sales tax rate is 6.0% (state 4.3% + local 1% + regional Hampton Roads 0.7%). Source: Virginia Tax – Retail Sales and Use Tax.
• Specialty permits: Restaurants, food trucks, hotels, salons, contractors, and ABC alcohol licensees have extra steps (health permits, DPOR contractor license, ABC license). See: Chesapeake Health District, DPOR – Contractors, and Virginia ABC – Licenses.
• Need person-to-person help: Free advising from the Hampton Roads SBDC and Virginia APEX Accelerator (government contracts). See: Hampton Roads SBDC and Virginia APEX Accelerators.

At-a-glance: Do you need a Chesapeake business license?

The City of Chesapeake requires most businesses operating in city limits to obtain a local business license, known in Virginia as a BPOL (Business, Professional and Occupational License). The exact rules and thresholds depend on your business type and where you operate (inside Chesapeake vs. based elsewhere doing work in Chesapeake). See the city’s official licensing pages for current local rules: Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue – Business Taxes and Licensing.

Virginia’s overarching statute sets standard maximum rates and situsing rules (who pays, where, and for what). Helpful statewide background is here: Virginia Code § 58.1‑3706 – BPOL license tax; rate limitations and Virginia Code § 58.1‑3703.1 – Administrative provisions (situs and thresholds).

Table: Who needs a Chesapeake business license (BPOL)?

Reality check: Don’t assume “I’m small, so I’m exempt.” Virginia and Chesapeake base licensing on activity and gross receipts. Even low-revenue firms often must register, though some may pay a nominal license fee instead of a percentage tax below local thresholds. Always confirm current Chesapeake thresholds and BPOL rates on the city’s site: Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue – Business Taxes and Licensing.

Step-by-step: Get fully licensed in Chesapeake

Start with the steps that can block your license if you skip them. Zoning clearance and entity registration are the usual chokepoints.

1) Confirm zoning and occupancy first (before you sign a lease or open doors)

• Check your address for allowed uses. If you’re home-based, review home occupation rules. If you’re in a commercial space, verify that your use (e.g., restaurant vs. retail vs. office) is permitted and whether you need a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or a change of use.
• For planning, zoning, and occupancy: Chesapeake Development & Permits – Zoning and Permits.
• Food and assembly uses usually trigger health/fire reviews. Start early with the Chesapeake Health District for food permits and with Fire Prevention for occupancy loads and safety requirements:
  • Health: Chesapeake Health District – Food Safety
  • Fire Prevention: City of Chesapeake – Fire Prevention
• Signage needs a permit in most zones. Check: Chesapeake Development & Permits – Sign Permits.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If a site isn’t zoned for your use, ask Development & Permits about alternatives: another zoning district, a conditional use permit, or a different site. If your lease is contingent on approval, use that to switch spaces without penalty.

2) Create and register your business entity with the Virginia SCC

• Choose your structure (LLC, corporation, etc.) and register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC). This is required if you form an LLC/corp and strongly recommended for liability protection.
• File online at the SCC’s Clerk’s Information System (CIS). Official site: SCC CIS – File or Search Business.
• Current SCC fees:
  • LLC formation filing fee: $100.
  • Annual LLC registration fee: $50.
  • Trade name (fictitious name) filing fee: $10 (filed with SCC since 2019).

  Source: SCC – Business Entity Fees.

• If you’ll use a “doing business as” (DBA) name, file the fictitious name with SCC before applying for your local BPOL so your name matches across records: SCC – Fictitious Names.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If you’re unsure which structure to use, this is the moment to check with a Virginia business attorney or CPA. For free orientation help (not legal advice), contact: Hampton Roads SBDC – No-cost advising.

3) Get your EIN (federal tax ID) from the IRS

• Apply online. It’s free and immediate: IRS – Apply for an EIN.
• The EIN is required if you have employees, a multi-member LLC, a corporation, or most business bank accounts.
• IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line for questions: 800-829-4933 (free; official number: IRS Contact – Business Tax).

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If the online EIN application times out or you’re a non-U.S. owner without an SSN/ITIN, use the IRS Form SS-4 and call the IRS for help: IRS – Form SS‑4.

4) Register for Virginia state taxes

• Register through Virginia Tax’s Business iFile or eForms for:
  • Retail Sales and Use Tax.
  • Employer Withholding Tax (if you’ll have employees).
  • Other industry taxes (tobacco, communications, etc.) if applicable.

  Official site: Virginia Tax – Register a Business.

• Chesapeake sales tax rate: Total retail sales tax is 6.0% (state 4.3%, local 1.0%, regional Hampton Roads 0.7%). See: Virginia Tax – Retail Sales and Use Tax (Combined Rates).
• Example: On a $100 taxable sale in Chesapeake, you collect $6.00 sales tax and remit to Virginia Tax.
• If you’ll have employees in Virginia: register for employer withholding and unemployment insurance. See:
  • Withholding: Virginia Tax – Employer Withholding
  • Unemployment Insurance: Virginia Employment Commission – Employers
• Virginia minimum wage (2025): $12.00/hour. Source: Virginia DOLI – Minimum Wage.
• Workers’ Compensation: Most Virginia employers with 3 or more employees (full-time or part-time) must carry workers’ compensation coverage. Source: Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission – Employer Coverage Basics.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If your online Virginia Tax registration stalls, use the contact options on the official site: Virginia Tax – Contact Us. For UI/employer questions, use: VEC – Employer Contacts.

5) Obtain specialty permits and inspections (only if your business type requires them)

• Food service (restaurants, commissaries, food trucks, caterers):
  • Permit and plan review with the Chesapeake Health District. Start early; plan review can add weeks. See: Chesapeake Health District – Food Safety and Permitting.
• Alcohol sales (on-premise or off-premise):
  • License with Virginia ABC (application, background checks, fees vary by license type): Virginia ABC – Apply for a License.
• Contractors and trades:
  • State contractor licensing (Class A/B/C) via DPOR. See requirements and application fees here: DPOR – Contractors Board. Virginia’s class thresholds are set in code (e.g., Class A for larger jobs). See: Virginia Code § 54.1‑1100 et seq..
• Childcare, cosmetology, healthcare, body art and more:
  • DPOR and/or VDH regulate many personal services. Start with your specific board: DPOR – License Lookup & Boards.
• Fire inspections and occupancy loads:
  • For assembly spaces, daycares, restaurants, and certain occupancies, coordinate with the Fire Prevention Division: City of Chesapeake – Fire Prevention.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If your industry requirements are unclear or overlap, ask the Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue to point you to the right agency before they issue BPOL. Use the city’s business license page as the gateway: Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue – Business Taxes and Licensing.

6) Apply for your Chesapeake Business License (BPOL)

• You generally must apply within a short time of starting business in Chesapeake and renew annually. The license is based on gross receipts (or purchases for some wholesalers) and varies by business classification.
• Chesapeake uses the state’s BPOL framework. Virginia caps the maximum tax rates for common categories (localities can set rates at or below these):
  • Retail: up to $0.20 per $100 of gross receipts.
  • Contracting: up to $0.16 per $100.
  • Repair, personal, business services: up to $0.36 per $100.
  • Professional, financial, real estate services: up to $0.58 per $100.
  • Wholesale merchants: up to $0.05 per $100 of purchases (note: based on purchases, not gross receipts).

  Source (state caps): Virginia Code § 58.1‑3706.

• Local thresholds and fee schedules (whether you pay a flat “license fee” below a certain amount of gross receipts, and when the percentage rates kick in) are set by Chesapeake. For the current Chesapeake-specific thresholds, class definitions, and rate table, use the city’s official page: Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue – Business Taxes and Licensing.
• Be ready to report your estimated current-year gross receipts when you first apply, and actual gross receipts when you renew.
• If you are an out-of-town contractor working in Chesapeake without a definite place of business in the city, Virginia law may require you to obtain a license in Chesapeake once your Chesapeake-sourced gross receipts exceed set thresholds. See statewide situs rules: Virginia Code § 58.1‑3703.1. For how Chesapeake applies this rule, contact the Commissioner of the Revenue via the business licensing page above.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If the classification of your business is unclear (e.g., is it “professional services” or “business services”?), ask the Commissioner’s Office in writing for the applicable classification and rate. Keep the reply in your files.

7) Open your Chesapeake local tax accounts (if applicable to your industry)

Some taxes are administered locally in addition to the BPOL license. Depending on what you do, you may need to register and file for:

• Meals tax (restaurants, caterers, food trucks selling prepared food). Check rate, due dates, forms: City of Chesapeake – Meals Tax.
• Lodging (transient occupancy) tax (hotels, short-term rentals). Check rate, due dates, forms: City of Chesapeake – Lodging/Hotel Tax.
• Admissions tax (ticketed events/venues). Check applicability and rate: City of Chesapeake – Admissions Tax.
• Business tangible personal property tax (for equipment, furniture, machinery). Learn how to file, what’s taxable, and rates: Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue – Business Tangible Personal Property.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If you’re unsure whether a local tax applies (e.g., are smoothies “meals”? does your Airbnb count as lodging?), ask the Commissioner of the Revenue or the City Treasurer to classify your activity before you begin collecting.

8) Keep your renewals, filings, and records straight

• City of Chesapeake: Renew BPOL annually and file any required tangible personal property returns. Confirm current deadlines and penalties on the city’s site: Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue – Business Taxes and Licensing.
• Virginia Tax: File sales tax, withholding, corporate/partnership returns, etc., on time. See filing calendars: Virginia Tax – Businesses.
• Virginia employment filings: Unemployment insurance, new hire reporting, wage and hour. See:
  • UI: VEC – Employers
  • New hire reporting: Virginia New Hire Reporting Center
  • Wage/hour and minimum wage: Virginia DOLI – Labor & Employment Law

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If cash flow is tight and you’re facing a late filing or payment, call the appropriate office before the deadline to discuss options. Some agencies may waive penalties for first-time filers who show good faith and correct quickly.

Key taxes and rates in Chesapeake (verify each link for the current rate)

Virginia and Chesapeake publish rates on official pages. Use the links below to confirm current amounts before you set your prices or file returns.

Table: Core business taxes you’ll encounter

Note: BPOL rates and local thresholds are set by Chesapeake ordinance and can change. Always confirm the city’s current BPOL rate table and threshold rules: Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue – Business Taxes and Licensing.

Real-world examples (Chesapeake scenarios)

These examples reflect typical local sequencing and timing. Always confirm with the official pages linked.

• Example A: Retail boutique opening in Greenbrier
  • Secure a lease contingent on zoning approval.
  • Confirm the space is zoned for retail; if it needs a new Certificate of Occupancy after a fit-out, factor in inspection time.
  • Form an LLC with SCC ($100), obtain an EIN (free), and register for Virginia sales tax (Chesapeake is 6.0%).
  • Apply for your BPOL with the Commissioner of the Revenue. Classification likely “retail.”
  • Set up your point-of-sale to collect 6.0% sales tax.
  • If you’ll offer packaged snacks, ensure they’re taxed correctly. Many groceries are taxed differently (Virginia has reduced rates for qualifying food/grocery; see: Virginia Tax – Food Tax Rate).
  • Renew BPOL annually and file sales tax monthly or quarterly per Virginia Tax’s schedule.

  What to do if this doesn’t work:

  • If the store build-out triggers code upgrades you didn’t budget for (e.g., occupancy or ADA compliance), ask Development & Permits about alternatives or phased openings.
• Example B: Home bakery in Great Bridge, selling at weekend markets
  • Review Chesapeake’s home occupation rules (limits on customer traffic, signage, equipment).
  • If you produce food at home, confirm what’s allowed under Virginia’s cottage food rules and when a VDH permit is needed; see: VDH – Food Safety.
  • Register with Virginia Tax (sales tax). Set up a BPOL license with classification guidance from the Commissioner.
  • Keep a mileage log and sales records for markets inside and outside Chesapeake (situs matters).

  What to do if this doesn’t work:

  • If your home kitchen can’t meet requirements for the products you want to sell, look for a permitted commissary kitchen and adjust your BPOL as needed.
• Example C: Out-of-town Class B contractor taking jobs in Chesapeake
  • Confirm DPOR licensing class and specialties: DPOR – Contractors.
  • Register with Virginia Tax if you sell taxable materials or hire employees.
  • Track Chesapeake-sourced gross receipts. Under Virginia situs rules, if you exceed local thresholds while working in Chesapeake, you may need a Chesapeake BPOL even without a Chesapeake office. See: Virginia Code § 58.1‑3703.1.
  • Check whether you need Chesapeake building permits for your jobs: Chesapeake Development & Permits.

  What to do if this doesn’t work:

  • If you get conflicting guidance between jurisdictions, ask for the Commissioner’s written determination for Chesapeake and keep it in your audit file.

Typical timelines (what’s fast vs. what takes time)

Actual times vary with season and workload. Start items that require reviews and inspections as early as possible.

Table: Realistic timelines in Chesapeake

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If a critical approval is stuck, ask the agency if there’s a missing document or inspection you can schedule sooner. Many delays trace back to incomplete submissions.

Cost checklist (first year)

Costs depend on your business type and location. The figures below are from official state sources where available; city-specific license taxes vary by classification and gross receipts. Always confirm Chesapeake’s current BPOL rates and local taxes before filing.

Table: Common start-up and annual costs (Virginia/Chesapeake)

Required documents (by scenario)

Gather these before you apply to avoid back-and-forth.

Table: Document checklist

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping zoning and occupancy checks before signing a lease.
• Applying for BPOL before you set up your SCC entity or DBA—names won’t match.
• Misclassifying your business (e.g., calling a professional service “general services”) and getting a surprise rate later.
• Not tracking where revenue is earned. Out-of-city contractors can owe BPOL in Chesapeake once they cross local thresholds.
• Collecting the wrong tax rate at the register. Chesapeake’s total sales tax is 6.0%; prepared meals also incur a local meals tax on top of state sales tax—confirm the meals tax rate on the city’s page.
• Missing renewals and returns. Local penalties and interest add up fast.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If you’ve made an error, correct it early and document what you changed. Ask the relevant office about penalty abatement if this is your first miss and you fix it promptly.

Inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility resources (Virginia-focused)

• SWaM certification (Small, Women-owned, Minority-owned) + micro and service-disabled veteran designations help with state contracting:
  • Get certified through the Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity (SBSD): SBSD – SWaM & Micro Certification.
• Women-owned (federal WOSB/EDWOSB):
  • SBA certification portal and program rules: U.S. SBA – WOSB Certification.
• Veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned:
  • Federal certification via SBA: SBA – Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert).
• Minority-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, disability-owned supplier diversity:
  • NMSDC (minority business certification): NMSDC – Certification
  • NGLCC (LGBTBE certification): NGLCC – Supplier Diversity Certification
  • Disability:IN Supplier Diversity: Disability:IN – Certification.
• Immigrant-owned and language access:
  • Virginia SBDC network provides multilingual business counseling in many locations: Virginia SBDC – Find a Center.
• Local help in Hampton Roads:
  • Hampton Roads SBDC (no-cost advising): Hampton Roads SBDC
  • Virginia APEX Accelerators (government contracting help): Virginia APEX Accelerators
  • Chesapeake Economic Development (local programs, sites, and incentives): Chesapeake Economic Development

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If you’re not sure which certification fits your situation, start with SBSD (SWaM) and the SBDC advisor. They’ll help you sequence state vs. federal certifications and gather documents.

Renewal calendar, recordkeeping, and compliance

• Set reminders for:
  • City BPOL renewal and payments (confirm current Chesapeake deadline).
  • Business tangible personal property filings (Chesapeake deadlines posted on the city site).
  • Virginia sales tax returns (monthly/quarterly based on volume), employer withholding deposits, UI quarterly wage reports.
  • SCC annual registration fees for your entity ($50 for LLC, due annually on your registration month).
• Keep:
  • Signed lease and any Certificates of Occupancy.
  • Zoning/home occupation approval.
  • Copies of BPOL applications/renewals and any written classification rulings.
  • Sales tax reports and reconciliation to POS.
  • Payroll records, workers’ comp policy, and unemployment filings.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If you inherit messy records mid-year, create a “month zero” file: reconcile bank statements to sales tax filings and payroll. Correct going forward and discuss any necessary amended filings with each agency before year-end.

Where to get help in Chesapeake (official and free)

Table: Chesapeake and Virginia help desk

FAQs: Chesapeake business licensing (state-specific)

• Do I need a Chesapeake business license if I work from home?
  • Yes, most home-based businesses need a BPOL license and must comply with home occupation rules. Start with: Chesapeake Development & Permits – Zoning and Chesapeake – Business Taxes & Licensing.
• What is the sales tax rate in Chesapeake?
  • The combined retail sales tax is 6.0% (state 4.3% + local 1.0% + Hampton Roads regional 0.7%). Source: Virginia Tax – Retail Sales and Use Tax.
• How much is the BPOL tax?
  • It depends on your business classification and gross receipts thresholds. Virginia caps the rates (e.g., professional services up to $0.58 per $100 of gross receipts; retail up to $0.20 per $100). Chesapeake’s exact rates and any minimums/thresholds are posted on the city’s site: Chesapeake – Business Taxes & Licensing. State caps: Va. Code § 58.1‑3706.
• When are BPOL renewals due?
  • Renewal due dates are set by Chesapeake ordinance and posted on the city site. Confirm the current deadline and penalties here: Chesapeake – Business Taxes & Licensing.
• I’m a contractor based outside Chesapeake. Do I need a Chesapeake license?
  • Possibly. If you don’t have a Chesapeake office but you perform work there, you may owe BPOL in Chesapeake once Chesapeake-sourced receipts exceed local thresholds per Virginia situs rules. See: Virginia Code § 58.1‑3703.1, and ask the Commissioner’s Office how they apply it locally: Chesapeake – Business Taxes & Licensing.
• What is Virginia’s minimum wage in 2025?
  • $12.00/hour. Source: Virginia DOLI – Minimum Wage.
• Do I need workers’ comp insurance?
  • In Virginia, most employers with 3 or more employees (including part-time) must carry workers’ comp coverage. Source: Virginia WCC – Employer Coverage Basics.
• How long does an ABC license take?
  • Many licenses take 6–12+ weeks, depending on the type and background checks. Source: Virginia ABC – Licenses.
• Where do I file a fictitious name (DBA) in Virginia?
  • With the SCC online (fee $10). Source: SCC – Fictitious Names.
• Where can I get free help to review my plan or budget?
  • Hampton Roads SBDC (free, local): Hampton Roads SBDC. For government contracting pathways: Virginia APEX Accelerators.

Reality checks, warnings, and practical tips

• Budget time for inspections. Health and fire reviews add weeks, especially for first-time restaurants and event venues.
• Plan for cash flow at renewal time. BPOL is based on gross receipts—not profit—so your tax can feel high in tight months.
• Keep source-of-revenue records. If you work across cities (e.g., mobile services, contracting), track Chesapeake vs. non-Chesapeake receipts. It matters for BPOL situs.
• Quote prices correctly. If you sell prepared food, your customer pays state sales tax plus local meals tax. Get the exact meals tax rate from the city page before you print menus.
• Use written determinations. If you have a borderline classification, ask for the Commissioner’s written interpretation. It reduces audit risk later.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If costs or timelines grow beyond your budget, pause expansion, open in phases, or switch to a lower-regulation product/service while you secure approvals for the full scope.

Table: Quick comparison of steps vs. agencies

What if you sell both goods and services?

If you’re a hybrid business (e.g., you sell products and charge for installation), classification and tax handling can be tricky. Virginia allows localities to classify based on the “predominant” business activity or split classification where appropriate. Sales tax applies to taxable goods; BPOL applies to gross receipts per classification.

• Keep invoices that clearly split taxable goods (sales tax) and services (often not subject to sales tax but subject to BPOL).
• Ask the Commissioner whether you need multiple BPOL classifications.
• Read Virginia’s guidance on BPOL situsing and classification: Va. Code § 58.1‑3703.1.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If your mix changes seasonally, request an adjustment at renewal or keep supporting detail for how you allocated receipts during the year.

If you only sell online

• If you have a business location in Chesapeake (even a home office), the city’s BPOL rules still apply.
• If you warehouse and ship from Chesapeake, you’re clearly “in” Chesapeake for BPOL and Virginia sales tax nexus. If you ship from outside Virginia but have economic nexus, Virginia’s rules on remote sellers apply; see: Virginia Tax – Remote Sellers and Marketplace Facilitators.
• If you sell into other states, check each state’s sales tax rules.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If your platform (e.g., marketplace) collects sales tax for you, make sure you still comply with BPOL and other local requirements where you have a business location.

If you’re buying an existing Chesapeake business

• Don’t assume the old BPOL transfers. You’ll apply for a new license in your name.
• Check for unpaid city taxes or code issues that could become your problem after closing.
• Get copies of the current Certificate of Occupancy, health permits (if any), and any written BPOL classification determinations.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• Make the sale contingent on you getting zoning/health approvals and a new BPOL. If approvals fail, you can walk away.

Final quick-reference tables

Table: What triggers extra permits?

Table: Good-to-know Virginia rules

What to do if you get a notice or audit

• Don’t ignore it. Most notices have a response deadline—watch the date in bold.
• Pull your filings and records for the period, and compare to your bank/POS data.
• If it’s a classification or situs question, attach the written guidance you received earlier.
• If you need time, ask the office for an extension before the deadline.
• Consider having an accountant respond on your behalf for complex cases.

What to do if this doesn’t work:

• If you disagree with a determination, use the appeal process described in the notice and in Virginia’s BPOL administrative provisions: Va. Code § 58.1‑3703.1.

Source notes and verification

Every figure or claim above ties to an official source:

• Chesapeake licensing and local taxes: Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue – Business Taxes & Licensing and related city pages linked throughout.
• Virginia BPOL framework: Va. Code § 58.1‑3706 (rate caps) and Va. Code § 58.1‑3703.1 (administration/situs).
• Sales tax rate for Chesapeake: 6.0% total. Source: Virginia Tax – Retail Sales and Use Tax.
• SCC fees (LLC $100 formation; $50 annual; DBA $10): SCC – Business Entity Fees and SCC CIS.
• Minimum wage $12.00/hour: Virginia DOLI – Minimum Wage.
• Workers’ comp coverage threshold (generally 3+ employees): Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission.
• EIN is free: IRS – Apply for an EIN.

What to do next (your action list)

• Verify your zoning/occupancy for your address.
• Form your entity with the Virginia SCC and file your DBA if needed.
• Get your EIN from the IRS.
• Register for Virginia taxes (sales/use, withholding, etc.).
• Apply for specialty permits (health, ABC, DPOR) if needed.
• Apply for your Chesapeake BPOL with the Commissioner of the Revenue.
• Set up any local industry taxes (meals, lodging, admissions).
• Put renewal and filing deadlines on your calendar.

About this guide

This guide focuses strictly on Chesapeake, Virginia, and links to official city and Commonwealth sources for verification. Where city-specific dollar amounts or deadlines can change (like BPOL thresholds, meals/lodging tax rates, and filing due dates), we point you directly to the city’s official pages to confirm current figures. State-level numbers (e.g., SCC filing fees, minimum wage, and the Chesapeake sales tax rate of 6.0%) reference official Virginia or federal sites.

If you find a broken link or a change in a local rate or deadline, check the main city portal and search for your topic: City of Chesapeake – Official Site.

Disclaimer

Program rules, tax rates, deadlines, and fees change. Chesapeake may update local BPOL rates, thresholds, and due dates. Virginia may update tax rules, wage laws, or filing systems. Always verify the latest requirements directly with the City of Chesapeake, the Virginia Department of Taxation, the Virginia SCC, the Virginia ABC, DPOR, and any other agency that regulates your business. This guide is for general information only and is not legal, tax, or compliance advice.