• Sole Proprietor

• Partnership

• LLC

• Incorporated or

• S-Corp

Sole proprietors, partnerships and LLC’s must REGISTER fictitious names (do not reserve the name) with the State Corporation Commission and receive a confirmation letter to attach to the business license application. There is a $10 fee to register a fictitious name.  

To download and print:  Augusta County New Business License Application. 

Is this a non-residential business location?
In order to obtain a business license, you must first obtain a zoning certificate for your business. The zoning certificate verifies to the Commissioner of Revenue that the business is a legal use where it is being conducted. Please contact the zoning office for your zoning certificate approval at 540.245.5700, comdev@co.augusta.va.us. 

Is this a home-based business?
See home occupation permit information and downloadable Class A  and Class B home occupation permit applications.  

Class A: for properties zoned agriculture (lots less than 1 acre), single-family residential, attached residential, manufactured home parks, or multi-family residential
Class B: for properties zoned agriculture (lots 1 acre or larger), rural conservation, rural residential, general business, general industrial, or village mixed-useA $25 review fee for the Home Occupation permit is required.

A sample home occupation permit application can be found here.

• Applicants who have customers coming to the dwelling should bring a site drawing on 8 ½” x 11” paper showing the following:
  • Size and shape of the parcel
  • Location of the dwelling on the parcel with distances to all property lines
  • Area to be used for the home occupation
  • Access to and from the property with dimensions of the driveway
  • Dimensions of the parking area for the home occupation – if there is a turnaround area, dimensions should be shown for that. Indicate the number and location of additional parking spaces to be used to accommodate the home business.
• The completed application and sketch is reviewed by the Community Development department staff. If approved, a business license can be obtained from the Commissioner of Revenue. 

Contractors must submit Workers Compensation Insurance information by filing Form 61A with the Commissioner of the Revenue. 

Contractors licensed through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations (DPOR) must register through https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/  and supply the Virginia state contractor number and expiration date on the business license application.  

Out-of-Area Contractors: A license with the County of Augusta is required if the gross receipt amount exceeds $25,000 in a calendar year within the county.  

• New Business License Application
• Zoning certificate
• Confirmation letter for trade name registration (if applicable)
• Confirmation letter for contractors’ worker compensation insurance (if applicable)

All businesses located in Augusta County are required to file an itemized listing (including fully-depreciated or expensed items) of all business equipment owned as of January 1 of the tax year. This list should include an asset description, year purchased and original, capitalized cost. If you do not receive a business personal property return in the mail, contact the Commissioner of the Revenue office. This return is due every year by May 1.   

May 1 - all business personal property returns must be filed by May 1 to avoid a late filing penalty

Below are some examples:

Step 8a: Retail or Wholesale Sales – Register with the Virginia Department of Taxation

Businesses engaged in retail or wholesale sales are required to register with the Virginia Department of Taxation online or by phone at 804-367-8037 for retail sales tax purposes.

Step 8b: Specific Services – Register with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Registration

Businesses involved in any of the following must register online or by phone at 804-367-8500 with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation: auctioneers, barbers, beauticians, contractors, physicians, real estate salespersons, etc (see link for the full list of businesses).

Step 8c: Day Care Providers – Register with the Virginia Department of Social Services

Visit Virginia Social Services' website to review and comply with the state requirements for day care providers.

Step 8d: Other Applicable Governmental Departments  

Some business activities require registration with the local Virginia Department of Health 

(Central Shenandoah Health District) for family health services or environmental health inspection and permits.