Business Licensing & Operations in Norfolk, VA (2026)
5 verified business licensing & operations rules for Norfolk, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Massage Establishments
Norfolk requires anyone operating a massage or bodywork business, defined in its code as a 'health parlor,' to hold an operator's permit from the director of public health before opening. Individual masseurs and masseuses need 200 hours of accredited training, and since July 1, 1997 anyone billed as a massage therapist must be certified by the Board of Nursing.
Norfolk Health Parlor Operator's Permit
Significant RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 21-36
It shall be unlawful for any person who does not possess a valid health parlor operator's permit to operate a health parlor in the city.
Tattoo & Body Modification
Norfolk requires anyone running a tattoo parlor to hold a permit from the director of the Department of Public Health under Section 43.1-11, display it for public viewing, and pay an $1,800 annual fee set by Section 43.1-14. Section 43.1-6 bans temporary or mobile tattoo parlors outright, and Section 43.1-5 makes scarification and branding of a human unlawful for anyone, permit or not. Section 43.1-1 makes any violation of the chapter a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Norfolk Tattoo Parlor Permit Requirements
Significant RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances §§ 43.1-5, 43.1-11, 43.1-14
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a tattoo parlor without first obtaining a permit from the director. The operator of a tattoo parlor shall conspicuously post or display the tattoo parlor permit for public viewing. Proof of an applicable permit shall be the burden of the operator. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in tattooing at an establishment that has no permit. ......
Secondhand Dealers
Norfolk requires anyone buying or canvassing for secondhand furniture, appliances, or similar goods to hold a one-year police-issued permit, pay a $100 application fee plus $25 per employee, and post a $10,000 bond before operating.
Norfolk Secondhand and Junk Dealer Permit
Significant RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 38-2.4
No person or entity shall engage in the business in the city of purchasing or acquiring secondhand furniture, appliances and similar articles and no person or entity shall canvass in the city for the purchase or acquisition of any such secondhand articles for any person engaged in such business, without first obtaining a permit therefor from the chief of police or designee. ... A permit shall n...
Pawnbrokers
Norfolk pawnbrokers hold a city-issued license that can be revoked on conviction for violating Chapter 38, must keep detailed daily transaction records, and are capped at interest rates from five to ten percent monthly depending on loan size.
Norfolk Pawnbroker License and Regulation
Significant RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 38-2
In addition to any penalty imposed, upon conviction of any pawnbroker, junk dealer, antique dealer or dealer in secondhand clothing, furniture, appliances and similar articles of a violation of this article, the officer who issued the license to such offender may, in his discretion, revoke the same. (Code 1958, § 42-8; Ord. No. 29,860, § 2, 3-20-79; Ord. No. 39,740, § 1, 10-26-99) Cross r...
Towing Companies
Norfolk requires any private property owner who wants unauthorized vehicles towed to post specific signage at every entrance under City Code § 25-300, naming the towing firm and its phone number. A towing firm may not remove a vehicle from private property without the property owner's written consent, or under a standing contract, under § 25-301, and violating that consent rule is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Norfolk Non-Consent Tow Signage Rules
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances §§ 25-300 and 25-301
(b)Each owner or community association shall post at each point of ingress and egress to the authorized parking area or community entry points clearly legible signs containing the following wording: PRIVATE PARKING [OR NO PARKING PERMITTED IN ALLEYWAYS] (NAME OF OWNER, LESSEE OR AGENT OF THE PRIVATE PROPERTY) AUTHORIZED PARKING ONLY TOWING ENFORCED BY (Name of Towing Firm) CALL (Towing Firm Num...