Business Licensing & Operations in Richmond, VA (2026)
8 verified business licensing & operations rules for Richmond, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Richmond's zoning code keeps adult entertainment establishments, adult bookstores, adult motion picture theaters and massage parlors at least 1,000 feet from residential districts, churches, schools, libraries, day care centers, hotels and each other. The use is only permitted in commercial districts like B-3 that expressly list it, so it cannot locate in R or RO zones at all.
Adult Entertainment Location Rules in Richmond
Significant RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 30-438.1(2)
Adult entertainment establishments, adult book stores, adult motion picture theaters and massage parlors, provided that the property devoted to any such use shall not be situated within 1,000 feet of property in an R or RO district, nor within 1,000 feet of any property occupied by a church or other place of worship, public or private elementary, intermediate or high school, public library, lod...
Massage Establishments
Richmond only lets a certified massage therapist give a massage for consideration, and Section 6-62 confines where that can happen to eight named settings, from a massage establishment to a beauty salon or health club. Practitioners must display their State Board of Nursing certificate and pay the City's massage practitioner license tax.
Richmond Massage Establishment Rules
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 6-62
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to give a massage in exchange for consideration within the City unless:(1)The massage is given for medical, relaxation, remedial or hygienic purposes; and(2)The person giving the massage is a certified massage therapist.(b)A certified massage therapist may give a massage in the City only at the following locations and under the following conditions:(1)At a...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Before inking anyone, a Richmond tattoo artist must explain the risks under Section 6-97(b) and get the client's written informed consent, and Section 6-92 flatly bars anyone under 18 from being capable of giving that consent. Parlors also need running hot and cold water, autoclave-sterilized instruments and unannounced Health Department inspections.
Richmond Tattoo Parlor Consent Rules
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 6-92
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to administer a tattoo without first:(1)Explaining the risks and dangers of tattooing as set forth in Section 6-97(b); and(2)Obtaining the client's prior written informed consent.(b)For purposes of this section, no person under the age of 18 years shall be deemed capable of giving informed consent.
Tobacco Retail License
Richmond requires tobacco retailers to hold a city business license under Chapter 6 and comply with Virginia Code Section 18.2-371.2 establishing age 21 as the minimum purchase age. Local stings target underage sales near VCU campuses.
Richmond Tobacco Retail Licensing
Some RestrictionsVa. Code § 18.2-371.2(B), (D)
B. No person shall sell a retail tobacco product or hemp product intended for smoking to any individual who does not demonstrate, by producing a driver's license or similar photo identification issued by a government agency, that the individual is at least 21 years of age. Before a retail dealer may sell retail tobacco products, other than cigar and pipe tobacco products as defined in § 58.1-10...
Secondhand Dealers
Richmond secondhand dealers must hold a merchant's license plus a Chief of Police permit, keep a permanent purchase ledger, report identifiable items daily, hold goods 15 days before resale, and never buy from a minor.
Richmond Secondhand Dealer Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 26-997
Every person engaged in the business of buying, selling, bartering or exchanging used or secondhand clothing, hats, shoes, any other wearing apparel, electronic equipment, cameras, power tools and computers intended to be resold for use as such shall be deemed a secondhand dealer, and every secondhand dealer shall be duly licensed as a merchant and shall also obtain a permit from the Chief of P...
Pawnbrokers
Richmond caps pawnbroker licenses at 12 citywide and requires a Chief of Police and Circuit Court certificate before one issues. Licensees pay $750 plus $0.36 per $100 of gross receipts above $100,000 and must post a $500 indemnity bond and a $50,000 judgment bond.
Richmond Pawnbroker Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 26-983
Every natural person lending or advancing money or other things for profit on the pledge and possession of tangible personal property or other valuable things...shall pay a license tax equal to $750.00 and $0.36 per $100.00 of the gross receipts of the business in excess of $100,000.00. Not more than 12 places in the City shall be licensed where the business of a pawnbroker, including a pawnbro...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Richmond flatly bans vehicle and engine repair as a home occupation. Section 30-694.1(7) prohibits repairing vehicles or internal combustion engines in connection with any home-based business, alongside a list of other uses, such as beauty salons and veterinary clinics, that also cannot operate as home occupations.
Richmond Ban on Home Auto Repair Businesses
Heavy RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 30-694.1(7)
(7)Prohibited activities. In conjunction with any home occupation, no product shall be offered for sale directly to customers on the premises, there shall be no housing of persons for compensation, and there shall be no repair of vehicles or internal combustion engines. The following uses or activities shall be prohibited as a home occupation: beauty salons, barber shops, manicure or pedicure s...
Towing Companies
Richmond bars charging any towing or storage fee for removing a vehicle from private property without the owner's permission unless the lot posts a compliant sign naming the towing firm and phone number. Towing tops out at $135, storage at $45 per day, with strict caps on drop and after-hours fees.
Richmond Non-Consent Towing Signage and Fee Caps
Significant RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 27-303
(a)No fee for the removal, towing, immobilization or storage or of any sort may be charged to the owner of a motor vehicle or trailer which was removed or immobilized from a privately owned parking area or lot at the request of the owner, operator or lessee of the parking area and without the permission of the vehicle's owner, unless signs are posted which meet the criteria in this section. Sig...