• Restaurants and all other businesses serving prepared food must contact the local office of the Virginia State Health Department for a health permit.

• Grocery & convenience stores not serving prepared food must contact the Virginia Department of Agriculture for an appropriate permit.

• All businesses dealing with alcoholic beverages must apply for and receive an ABC permit approved by the regional representative of the state ABC Board.

• All businesses must register with the Virginia Department of Taxation.

• All contracting businesses with individual job costs of $1,001 or more must also have a Virginia State Contractors License and be bonded for $5,000 (Class A State License does not need the $5,000 bond). A Virginia State Contractors License can be obtained from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.

Notes:

• To operate a daycare center for children (5 or more) or to operate an adult home (4 or more) contact Social Services.

• Owners of Barbershops and Beauty Salons must have a Shop or Salon License, which can be obtained from the Department of Cosmetology. All stylists must present their valid State License when applying for their city Business License.

• All business licenses must be renewed annually with the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue.

• The City of Danville Business License fee, with the exception of Taxi Services and Junkyards, is based on the calendar year January 1 to December 31 and it is not pro rated.

• Rates and fees for the City of Danville Business Licenses are based on the Business’ gross receipts for the entire calendar year. (For a new business the rate is determined on an estimate of gross revenue for the initial year subject to final levy being calculated based on actual results at year end.) If gross receipts for the entire year are equal to or greater than $100,000 the license fee will be calculated will be based on a rate specific to the type of business being taxed.

• If gross receipts for the entire year are less than $100,000 the fee will be $50.00 per calendar year regardless of the type of business.

The City of Danville offers fast track permitting through a “One Stop Permitting Center” for companies locating to Danville. These companies are assigned a specific coordinator to assist in expediting the entire permitting process.

Contractor License Information

Contractors charging over $1,000 for any job done in Virginia are required to hold a Virginia State Contractor’s License. Contractor’s licenses are obtained from the State Board for Contactors’ in Richmond, VA.

Contractors license consist of two parts: the class of license (A, B, or C), which determines the monetary value of contracts/projects that may be performed, and the classification/specialty, which determines what type of work is allowed.

Class B and C contractors are required by the City of Danville to post a $5,000 bond. Bond forms can be obtained from the Inspections Division within Community Development.

Renovations to existing buildings:

All new construction/renovations must be reviewed and approved by the Inspections Division within Community Development Department.

The City of Danville Inspections Division issues separate permits for building, electric, mechanical, signage and plumbing work to be performed. There are other pertinent forms, such as asbestos remediation, plan review, etc., that may need to accompany your application.

Notes:

• Applicants must request specific advice from the Inspection Division  as to weather review by a design commission is required for the location in which the renovation or new construction is located. (Every district in the City does not require a review by a design commission.)

  Signage must be reviewed and approved by Community Development Department and in some locations other agencies.

Form and Applications

The City of Danville Inspections Division issues separate permits for building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work. There are other pertinent forms, such as asbestos, plan review, etc., that may need to accompany an application.

Electronic Applications

• Building Permit Application
• Electrical Permit Application
• Mechanical Permit Application
• Plumbing Permit Application
• Sign Permit Application
• Amusement Device Permit Application

Electronic Applications

• Demolition Authorization Form
• Single-Family Dwelling Plan Review
• Contractor’s Bond Form
• Tank Abandonment Form
• Vent / Chimney Certification Form
• Tax Abatement Form
• Appeal Form
• Plan of Action Submittal Form