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Business License Tax
Before completing the application, verify if the proposed business address is located in the city limits of Charlottesville by searching for the address on the Charlottesville GIS Viewer. If a record is returned, proceed with the application. If nothing is found in the search, contact our office for further assistance. Your business may be located in the Albemarle County portion of Charlottesville.
Organizations may also consult the New Business License Checklist – which provides valuable resources for EIN #, Sales Tax #, DPOR, Health Permit, Zoning, etc.
Update Account – Existing Business
Please report any changes to mailing address, location address, point of contact info, SSN, EIN or business closures (Charlottesville.gov/cor/bizchange ).
New Application
If this is your first year in business, your license tax is based on an estimate of your gross receipts. Once your business has been in operation for a full calendar year, the business license tax will be based on the previous year’s gross receipts.
Applications are due within the first thirty days of establishing business.
If your business uses a fictitious or assumed name, please register it with The State Corporation Commission (SCC) and advise the Commissioner’s Office.
Please complete the following:
Two options to apply:
Documents may be submitted electronically:
Go to Secure Portal and choose Category – Business License Application
They may also be mailed to:
Charlottesville Commissioner of the Revenue
PO Box 2964
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Once received, our office will contact you with credentials for our online portal to facilitate payment of your business license, future renewals and any filing requirements.
Renewal – Existing Business
Beginning with the 2026 license cycle, the City of Charlottesville is transitioning over to a paperless renewal process.
- Mailing Zip code
- Account #
- SSN / EIN (No Dash)
If necessary, you may also renew by completing a Business License Application and mail it with payment to the address listed above.
Rates
Gross Receipts:
- <$50,000 - $35.00
- $50,001 - $100,000 - $50.00
- >$100,000 x (Tax Rate) – Based on Classification
To determine the rate or fee applicable to your business activity, contact our business tax office at 434-970-3170 or citycorbiz@charlottesville.gov
Business Tangible Property Tax
Application for a business license also requires the applicant to file and pay business tangible property tax. All businesses located in the City of Charlottesville are required to file an itemized list of all equipment utilized in the business as of January 1 of the current year. Further information on this can be found on the Business Tangible Property Tax page.
Appeals
Pursuant to the provisions of Virginia Code Section 58.1-3703.1(A)(5), any taxpayer assessed with a local business license tax as the result of an appealable event may apply within one year from the last day of the tax year for which such assessment is made, or within one year from the date of such appealable event to the Commissioner of the Revenue. Review the Administrative Appeals Process for Business License Assessment for more information.
Before completing the application, verify if the proposed project location address is located in the city limits of Charlottesville by searching for the address on the Charlottesville GIS Viewer. If a record is returned, proceed with the application. If nothing is found in the search, contact our office for further assistance. Your business may be located in the Albemarle County portion of Charlottesville.
Out-Of-Jurisdiction Contractor
As an Out-Of-Jurisdiction Contractor, you are required to report attributable gross receipts for work performed in the City of Charlottesville.
Please provide the following information:
- Business License Application.
- If an active license is desired regardless of revenue ($0) – A minimum $35 license fee will be assessed.
- 61A / Proof of Workers Compensation
- DPOR #
- Location addresses where the work is being performed.
Two options to apply:
Documents may be submitted electronically:
Go to Secure Portal and choose Category – Business License Application
They may also be mailed to:
Charlottesville Commissioner of the Revenue
PO Box 2964
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Once received, our office will contact you with credentials for our online portal to facilitate payment of your business license and future renewals.
Renewal – Existing Business
Beginning with the 2026 license cycle, the City of Charlottesville is transitioning over to a paperless renewal process.
- Mailing Zip code
- Account #
- SSN / EIN (No Dash)
If necessary, you may also renew by completing a Business License Application and mail it with payment to the address listed above.
Business licenses for out-of-jurisdiction contractors are not statutorily assessed each year. If your business is performing work in our locality, you are required to renew your license.
Rates
Gross Receipts:
- <$50,000 - $35.00
- $50,001 - $100,000 - $50.00
- >$100,000 x (0.0016) – Tax Rate
Only the Commissioner of Revenue’s Office determines classification à Businesses must provide the required documentation and state licensure certification for valid classification.
Before completing the application, verify if the proposed business address is located in the city limits of Charlottesville by searching for the address on the Charlottesville GIS Viewer. If a record is returned, proceed with the application. If nothing is found in the search, contact our office for further assistance. Your business may be located in the Albemarle County portion of Charlottesville.
Organizations may also consult the New Business License Checklist – which provides valuable resources for EIN #, Sales Tax #, DPOR, Health Permit, Zoning, etc.
New Application
If this is your first year in business, your license tax is based on an estimate of your gross receipts. Once your business has been in operation for a full calendar year, the business license tax will be based on the previous year’s gross receipts.
Applications are due within the first thirty days of establishing business.
If your business uses a fictitious or assumed name, please register it with The State Corporation Commission (SCC) and advise the Commissioner’s Office.
Please complete the following:
- Business License Application
- Meals Tax Registration
- Copy of Health Permit / Inspection - Blue Ridge Health District
- Food Trucks* – Apply for Mobile Food Unit Permit w/ NDS
Two options to apply:
Documents may be submitted electronically:
Go to Secure Portal and choose Category – Food & Beverage (Meals) Tax Registration / Tax Return
They may also be mailed to:
Charlottesville Commissioner of the Revenue
PO Box 2964
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Once received, our office will contact you with credentials for our online portal to facilitate payment of your business license, future renewals and monthly filings.
Meals Tax is due on the 20th of each month. Meals Tax is 7%. See Meals Tax page.
Renewal – Existing Business
Beginning with the 2026 license cycle, the City of Charlottesville is transitioning over to a paperless renewal process.
- Mailing Zip code
- Account #
- SSN / EIN (No Dash)
If necessary, you may also renew by completing a Business License Application and mail it with payment to the address listed above.
Rates
Food Truck / Pop-ups / Peddlers:
- $125/yr – Pro-rated
Gross Receipts:
- <$50,000 - $35.00
- $50,001 - $100,000 - $50.00
- >$100,000 x (Tax Rate) – Based on Classification
To determine the rate or fee applicable to your business activity, contact our business tax office at 434-970-3170 or citycorbiz@charlottesville.gov
Business Tangible Property Tax
Application for a business license also requires the applicant to file and pay business tangible property tax. All businesses located in the City of Charlottesville are required to file an itemized list of all equipment utilized in the business as of January 1 of the current year. Further information on this can be found on the Business Tangible Property Tax page.
Closure
Business Licenses & Business Tangible Property will be statutorily assessed each year if a filing is not received. If the business closes and is no longer in operation, you need to contact the Commissioner of Revenue office to notify us of closure at Charlottesville.gov/cor/bizchange – additional supporting documentation may be requested.
Questions
For further questions or information call 434-970-3170 or citycorbiz@charlottesville.gov