Business Licensing & Operations in Newport News, VA (2026)
8 verified business licensing & operations rules for Newport News, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Newport News confines adult uses to C1, C2, and C3 zoning districts and requires a conditional use permit under City Code § 45-524, with a 500-foot buffer from schools, churches, parks, libraries, and other adult uses.
Newport News Adult Use Zoning & Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 45-524(b)-(c)
(b)No adult use shall be permitted except in, C1, C2, and C3 districts. A conditional use permit...is necessary for the establishment of an adult use.(c)No unit containing an adult use in the C1, C2 or C3 districts shall be located nearer than five hundred (500) feet to:(1)Any school, church, park, playground or a library property;(2)Any other adult use;(3)Any residentially zoned property which...
Massage Establishments
Newport News massage parlors and health clubs may not let staff perform massage or physical-contact services on clients of the opposite sex: a violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor and grounds for license revocation.
Newport News Massage Establishment Regulations
Significant RestrictionsNewport News City Code §§ 24-1—24-2
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, either as a public or private facility, any massage parlor, health club or similar type establishment, where any physical contact or massage with the recipient of the service provided by such establishment is provided by a person of the opposite sex.(b)It shall be unlawful for any employee, individual, owner or operator of such establishment to...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Operating a tattoo establishment or body piercing salon in Newport News requires an annual $1,500 permit from the city Health Authority before opening, per City Code § 20-54.
Newport News Tattoo & Piercing Permits
Significant RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 20-54
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a tattoo establishment or body piercing salon until such person has obtained a tattoo establishment permit or body piercing salon permit from the health authority. Prior to issuance of such a permit, the operator shall first make an application therefor on a form prescribed by the health authority, wherein the operator shall agree to conform to ...
Tobacco Retail License
Newport News bars vape shops within 2,000 feet of a school or child day center, sets 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. hours, and bans drive-through sales and sales to anyone under 21 under City Code § 45-540.
Newport News Vape Shop Zoning Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 45-540(1)-(2),(4)-(5)
(1)They shall not sell vape products to persons under twenty-one (21) years of age.(2)They shall not be located within two thousand (2,000) linear feet of a child day center, as defined in Va. Code § 22.1-289.02, or a public, private, or parochial school.(3)The windows of such establishments shall not be smoked or mirrored, and shall be see through.(4)The hours of operation shall be limited to ...
Secondhand Dealers
Secondhand paper and junk dealers in Newport News need a $225 annual license, but no license issues until the dealer obtains a certificate from both the City Council and the Circuit Court approving the operation.
Newport News Secondhand & Junk Dealer License
Significant RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 23-51
(a)Every person who conducts or engages in the business of dealing in secondhand paper or junk materials shall annually pay a license tax of two hundred twenty-five dollars ($225.00). No such license shall be issued for the purpose of dealing in junk materials unless and until there is presented to the commissioner a certificate from the Newport News City Council and from the Newport News Circu...
Pawnbrokers
Anyone operating as a pawnbroker in Newport News needs both a license authorized by the circuit court and a business license from the commissioner of the revenue before taking in a single pledge, under City Code § 30-2(a)-(b). Only natural persons may hold the license, the court screens for felonies and crimes of moral turpitude in the last ten years, and operating outside the address printed on the license is a separate violation.
Newport News Pawnbroker License Rules
Significant RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 30-2(a)-(b),(e)
(a)No natural person shall engage in the business of a pawnbroker without being properly licensed as authorized by the circuit court for the City of Newport News, Virginia.(b)No natural person shall engage in the business of a pawnbroker without having a valid business license issued by the commissioner of the revenue for the City of Newport News, Virginia, however, the provisions of this subse...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Newport News doesn't allow a motor vehicle repair or service facility in any residential zoning district; §45-402's use table leaves R1 through R9 blank, permitting the use only by conditional permit in the C3, C4 and M2 districts.
Newport News Home Auto Repair Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 45-402
P = PERMITTED USE C = CONDITIONAL USE BLANK = NOT PERMITTED ... PERMITTED USES K. AUTO & MARINE SERVICES 5. SMALL MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR AND SERVICE FACILITY
Towing Companies
Newport News caps the basic charge a tow firm can bill for a non-consent private-property tow at $175 for light vehicles and requires signed owner consent or a posted parking-enforcement sign before any tow.
Newport News Non-Consent Tow Fee Caps
Some RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 26-17.4
(a)No tow truck service or operator shall charge a basic fee in excess of that set forth in this section. The towing charge shall not exceed one-hundred seventy-five dollars ($175.00) for light vehicles weighing up to ten thousand (10,000) pounds gross vehicle weight.