Business Licensing & Operations in James City County, VA (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated James City County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
James City County classifies strip clubs, adult stores and similar sexually oriented businesses under a single Zoning Ordinance definition and requires a special use permit before one may open. Sec. 24-2 defines the use broadly, and the Limited Business District use table at Sec. 24-368 lists it SUP rather than by-right.
Adult Business Permit Rules, James City County
Significant RestrictionsJames City County Code §§ 24-2, 24-368
Sexually oriented business. ... Any premises which the public patronizes or to which members are invited or admitted, and which are so physically arranged as to provide booths, cubicles, rooms, compartments or stalls separate from the common areas of the premises for the purpose of viewing adult-oriented motion pictures or wherein an entertainer provides adult entertainment to a member of the p...
Massage Establishments
It is unlawful to give a massage in James City County unless the technician holds a valid state permit issued under Va. Code § 54.1-3029, and the permit must be on hand during every massage. Touching or exposing an erogenous area during a massage is a separate crime.
Massage Technician Permit, James City County
Significant RestrictionsJames City County Code § 12-115
It shall be unlawful for person to conduct, perform or permit to be given a massage to a patron in or upon any premises in the county except by a massage technician with a permit issued pursuant to Va. Code ' 54.1-3029. Massage technicians shall have their permit available whenever they perform a massage.
Tattoo & Body Modification
Anyone tattooing for business in James City County must be licensed as a personal service enterprise under § 12-21's rate schedule and get a certificate from the county administrator before the license issues. Operating without that certificate blocks licensing entirely.
Tattoo Business License, James City County
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code § 12-83
Every person engaged in the business of tattooing in this county shall be licensed as a personal service enterprise and pay such amount as required by section 12-21. Such license shall not be proratable. ... No license shall be issued hereunder unless and until there is presented to the commissioner of the revenue a certificate from the county administrator permitting the operation of this busi...
Tobacco Retail License
James City County's zoning ordinance treats vape and smoke shops as a special-permit use rather than a by-right retail store. Section 24-390 requires operators in the General Business District, B-1, to obtain a special use permit from the Board of Supervisors before opening, and the same SUP requirement repeats across the county's other commercial and mixed-use districts.
James City County Vape Shop Zoning Permit
Significant RestrictionsJames City County Code §§ 24-2, 24-390
Vape/smoke shop. ... A retail establishment that sells cigars, tobacco, and/or tobacco products, such as, but not limited to cigars, pipe tobacco, roll-your-own supplies, herbal and wax vaporizers, and glassware; hookah and water pipes; cannabis and/or hemp products, such as, but not limited to Cannabidiol (CBD); and/or e-cigarettes and associated equipment, such as, but not limited to vape bat...
Secondhand Dealers
Dealers buying secondhand gold, silver, diamonds or gems in James City County must get a police-issued permit, pay a $200 fee, post a $10,000 bond, and hold every purchased item for 15 days before resale. First offenses are a Class 2 misdemeanor, with mandatory permit revocation after a second conviction.
Precious Metal Dealer Permit, James City County
Significant RestrictionsJames City County Code § 12-131
No person shall engage in the activities of a dealer as defined in section 12-130 without first obtaining a permit from the Chief of Police of James City County. ... Upon filing this application, the completion of the background investigation and upon the payment of a $200.00 application fee to the treasurer's office and proof of payment provided to the chief of police, the dealer shall be issu...
Pawnbrokers
A James City County pawnbroker needs a commissioner-of-revenue license and circuit court authorization, a $200 nonrefundable application fee, and a $50,000 bond or letter of credit. The license must be renewed yearly, and every loan or purchase must be logged in a detailed written record.
Pawnbroker License, James City County
Significant RestrictionsJames City County Code § 12-73
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the practice of being a pawnbroker as herein defined without first obtaining a license to do so from the commissioner of the revenue and authorization from the circuit court. Upon submission of an application for a license, a $200.00 nonrefundable application fee shall be paid to the treasurer's office ... With the license, the pawnbroker shall p...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
James City County regulates a home auto repair business as a home occupation under the Zoning Ordinance, chapter 24. Section 24-2 requires the work to stay entirely inside the dwelling, limits it to 25 percent of the first floor, and forbids outdoor storage of vehicles, parts or tools, noise, odor, smoke, dust or glare that reaches neighbors.
Home-Based Auto Repair Rules in James City County
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code § 24-2 ("Home occupation")
Home occupation. Any occupation or activity which is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the premises for dwelling purposes and conducted solely by residents of the dwelling; provided, that: (1)The occupation or activity is conducted entirely within the dwelling; and(2)Not more than 25 percent of the first floor area is used throughout the structure for such occupation or activity; a...
All James City County ordinances
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