Business Licensing & Operations in Chesterfield County, VA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Anyone wanting a business license to run an adult business in Chesterfield County must first get a $25 permit from the chief of police, valid for 12 months. The chief has 30 to 60 days to grant or deny the application, and applicants must be at least 18 and pass a fingerprint background check.
Chesterfield County Adult Business Permit
Significant RestrictionsChesterfield County, VA, Code of Ordinances § 15-122.1
Every person desiring a business license to operate an adult business, as defined in chapter 19.1, shall first apply to the chief of police, or his designee, for a permit to conduct such activity. Each such application shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount of $25.00. This fee and the additional costs charged by the Virginia State Police to conduct the background investigation... shall be ...
Massage Establishments
Chesterfield County requires every massage clinic and licensed massage therapist to hold a county permit issued by the chief of police before operating, on top of the state massage therapist license. Clinic permits cost $100 and therapist permits cost $30, both good for three years.
Chesterfield County Massage Clinic Permit
Significant RestrictionsChesterfield County, VA, Code of Ordinances § 15-101
No person shall operate a massage clinic or act as a licensed massage therapist in the county without having obtained a permit from the county. Permit applications shall be made to the chief of police, who shall investigate all permit applications. Applicants shall pay to the county treasurer $100.00 for a massage clinic permit and $30.00 for a licensed massage therapist permit... All permits s...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Chesterfield County has no standalone tattoo-shop permit. Instead, tattoo artists are taxed and licensed as a "personal and business service" under County Code Section 6-1, the same classification covering barbershops and beauty parlors, and Section 6-30(a) sets the tax at $0.20 per $100 of gross receipts.
Chesterfield County Tattoo Artist Business License
Some RestrictionsChesterfield County, VA, Code of Ordinances §§ 6-1, 6-30(a)
Personal and business services means services other than repair, professional, financial or real estate services rendered for compensation either upon or for businesses, professions, persons, animals, or personal effects, including all activities not otherwise subject to licensure pursuant to other provisions of this chapter, and includes, but is not limited to, the following businesses: ... Ta...
Secondhand Dealers
Anyone buying precious metals or gems, or lending against them as security, in unincorporated Chesterfield County must get a permit from the chief of police first, under County Code Section 15-132. Dealers must verify sellers' photo ID, file same-day bills of sale with police, and hold every item untouched for at least 15 days.
Chesterfield County Precious Metal Dealer Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsChesterfield County, VA, Code of Ordinances § 15-132
No dealer shall purchase precious metals or gems or make loans for which precious metals or gems are received and held as security without first obtaining a permit from the chief of police as provided herein and without complying with all other provisions of this article. Possession of a permit issued in another locality shall not relieve a dealer of the obligation to obtain a permit from the c...
Pawnbrokers
Every pawnbroker doing business in Chesterfield County must file a daily electronic report with the police chief by noon the next day covering everything pawned, pledged or sold that day, including the customer's ID and a photo of it. Violating the rule is a class 4 misdemeanor.
Chesterfield County Pawnbroker Reporting Rule
Some RestrictionsChesterfield County, VA, Code of Ordinances § 15-255
Pursuant to Code of Virginia, §§ 54.1-4009 and 54.1-4010, every pawnbroker conducting business in the county shall prepare a daily report of all goods, articles or things pawned or pledged with him or sold to him that day and shall file such report by noon of the following day with the chief of police of the county... No goods, article, or thing shall be pawned or pledged or received on account...
Towing Companies
Chesterfield County requires every licensed vehicle removal operator, salvage dealer, demolisher or rebuilder to report each purchase or acquisition of a salvage or scrap vehicle to the police department daily, with the seller's photo ID copied and transmitted weekly. Skipping a report can draw a fine up to $2,500.
Chesterfield Vehicle Removal Operator Reporting Rule
Some RestrictionsChesterfield County, VA, Code of Ordinances § 15-250
Pursuant to Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1608.1, all licensed salvage dealers, demolishers, rebuilders, or vehicle removal operators, as those terms are defined in Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1600, operating within the county, are required to make a written or electronic report of the information required to be maintained by Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1608, at the request of the police department, on a ...
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