Business Licensing & Operations in Hampton, VA (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for Hampton, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Hampton confines adult entertainment establishments to the C-3 and M-2 zoning districts and requires at least 1,000 feet from schools, churches, parks, libraries, and other adult businesses, or 300 feet from residential zones.
Hampton Adult Entertainment Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsHampton Zoning Ordinance § 3-3(20)
Adult entertainment establishment in the C-3 and M-2 districts. Structures for such use shall not be located nearer than one thousand (1,000) feet to: (a)Any school, religious facility, park, playground, or library property;(b)Any other adult entertainment establishment;(c)Any residentially zoned property which fronts on the same street or which contains any school, religious facility, park...
Massage Establishments
Hampton requires anyone operating a massage parlor to hold a permit from the director of public health under Chapter 19: applicants undergo police, fire and health investigation, pay a $50 fee, and can be closed for operating without one.
Hampton Massage Parlor Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsHampton City Code § 19-31
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct or carry on, or to permit to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, in or upon any premises within the city, the business of a massage parlor, or to render or permit to be rendered massage services at a location removed from a massage establishment within the city, without a valid permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this article.
Tattoo & Body Modification
Hampton's zoning ordinance flatly excludes body piercing and tattoo parlors from the home occupation use, so operating one out of a residence anywhere in the city is not a permitted accessory use under § 3-3(7)(i)(iv).
Hampton Bars Home Tattoo Parlors
Heavy RestrictionsHampton Zoning Ordinance § 3-3(7)(i)(iv)
Home occupation shall not include the following uses, as defined by chapter 2:(i)Any vehicle repair, vehicle sales, or vehicle storage for vehicles other than the owner/occupant's personal vehicle(s);(ii)Motor vehicle display for purposes of sale or lease other than the owner/occupant's personal vehicle;(iii)Machine shop/metal working;(iv)Body piercing and/or tattoo parlor; and(v)Kennel, home b...
Secondhand Dealers
Hampton doesn't gate a secondhand dealer's business license behind a special permit, but chapter 27 lets a judge revoke or suspend it after a second conviction for violating the dealer's recordkeeping and reporting duties.
Hampton Secondhand Dealer License Rules
Some RestrictionsHampton City Code § 27-2
(a)Unless otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, a violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute a Class 4 misdemeanor.(b)In addition to any penalty that may be imposed for a violation of this chapter, upon the second conviction of any pawnbroker or secondhand dealer for a violation of this chapter, the judge of a court of competent jurisdiction may, at his discretion, r...
Pawnbrokers
Before Hampton will issue a pawnbroker's business license, the applicant must present the commissioner of the revenue with a circuit court certificate authorizing the pawn business.
Hampton Pawnbroker License Requirement
Significant RestrictionsHampton City Code § 18.1-40
(a)Every pawnbroker, junk and secondhand dealer, as defined in chapter 27 of this Code, must comply with those provisions set forth therein.(b)No license shall be issued to any pawnbroker taxed under this section, until there is presented to the commissioner of the revenue a certificate from the circuit court permitting the operation of such business. (Ord. No. 1172, 10-9-96; Ord. No. 1461, 1-...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Hampton's zoning ordinance expressly excludes vehicle repair, sales, or storage for other than the owner's personal vehicles from the home occupation use, so a home-based auto repair business is not a permitted accessory use under § 3-3(7)(i).
Hampton Bars Home Auto Repair Business
Heavy RestrictionsHampton Zoning Ordinance § 3-3(7)(i)
Home occupation shall not include the following uses, as defined by chapter 2:(i)Any vehicle repair, vehicle sales, or vehicle storage for vehicles other than the owner/occupant's personal vehicle(s);(ii)Motor vehicle display for purposes of sale or lease other than the owner/occupant's personal vehicle;(iii)Machine shop/metal working;(iv)Body piercing and/or tattoo parlor; and(v)Kennel, home b...
Towing Companies
Hampton caps what tow operators on its police rotation list can charge for a police-requested tow, including a $125 hookup/tow ceiling and set add-on fees for storage, wait time, and after-hours calls.
Hampton Police-Requested Tow Fee Caps
Some RestrictionsHampton City Code § 21-215
The city manager or his designee shall maintain a list of tow operators who shall be called in sequence to provide services at the scene of accidents or traffic hazards or other such incidents. ... No hook up and initial towing fee shall exceed one hundred twenty five dollars ($125.00). For towing a vehicle between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. or on any Saturday, Sunday or holiday, an additional fee...