Doing Business in Prince William County: 
Quick Telephone Reference Guide

This reference tool provides businesses with direction on where to turn to fulfill government licensing, permitting, and regulation requirements.

Licenses, Permits, and Regulation

Who to Contact

Who Must Comply?

Air Pollution Control/Hazardous Materials Permits Department of Environmental Quality
(703) 583-3800
  • Facilities emitting gases or particles into the air
  • Facilities with specified air emission units, incinerators, dry cleaners, certain fuel burners, etc.
  • Facilities using/operating with any hazardous material (physical, chemical, health, or other)
Alcoholic Beverages Licenses Virginia ABC Board
(703) 518-8090
All retail outlets selling alcoholic beverages
Building Permits PWC Construction Permits and Records
(703) 792-6924 or (703) 792-6925
Those erecting or modifying building structures
Business, Professional, and Occupational Licenses (BPOL) PWC Taxpayer Services
(703) 792-6710
Commercial businesses and individuals engaging in home occupations or self-employment who expect their business gross receipts (or purchases in the case of wholesale merchants) to exceed $100,000
Certificates of Authority Virginia State Corporation Commission
(804) 371-9733
(866) 722-2551 (VA in state callers)
Corporations doing business in Virginia but incorporated elsewhere
Child Labor Work Permits Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
(804) 371-2327
All employees
Commercial Waste Disposal Permits PWC Department of Public Works
Division of Solid Waste
(703) 792-6254
  • Businesses disposing of their own generated waste
  • Commercial disposal services
Contractor Licenses  PWC Public Works
(703) 792-6924

Virginia State Board for Contractors
(804) 367-8511

PWC Taxpayer Services
(703) 792-6710

Practicing electrical contractors; mechanical contractors; heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractors; plumbing contractors; and home improvement contractors

*Some contractors also must pay BPOL in the County.

Employer ID Number U.S. Internal Revenue Service
(800) 829-1040
(800) 829-3676
Businesses required to file federal tax documents
Federal Licenses  (See Below) Businesses in federally regulated industries 
Fire Department Inspections PWC Fire Marshall's Office
(703) 792-6360
Those erecting or modifying building structures 
Food Service Permits  PWC Health Department
(703) 792-6313
All food establishments
Hazardous Materials PWC Fire Marshall's Office
(703) 792-6360
Facilities using/operating with any hazardous material (physical, chemical, health, or other)
Home Child Care Facility Permits Virginia Department of Social Services
(540) 347-6345

PWC Planning Office
(703) 792-6830
PWC providers can care for 5 or fewer children with a home occupation permit. If a provider is caring for 6-12 children, he/she must be licensed by the state Department of Social Services.
Home Occupation Permits PWC Planning Office
(703) 792-6830
Businesses located at residential addresses are not required to obtain license, unless they gross over $100,000. However, a Home Occupation Certificate is required.
Incorporation Virginia State Corporation Commission
(804) 371-9733 : Clerk's Office
(866) 722-2551 : In state callers
Organizations forming corporations in Virginia 
Landfill PWC Landfill
(703) 792-5750

PWC Waste Program
1-866-HHW-CARE
All businesses that generate construction debris larger than a truck load must send waste to construction debris specific facilities. The landfill also does not accept medical waste, radioactive material, ammunition, or asbestos. Businesses that qualify as conditionally exempt small quantity generators (create less than 220 lbs. of hazardous waste per/month may be eligible to participate in a program that could save money on disposal costs.
Mechanical Permits Residential - PWC Public Works
(703) 792-6924

Commercial - PWC Planning Department (Plan Review)
(703) 792-4040
Those installing or replacing mechanical equipment
Non Residential Use Permits (Non-RUP) PWC Public Works (Building Permits)
(703) 792-6924
Those building new office buildings or changing the use of building(s)
Gas Permit PWC Public Works (Building Permits)
(703) 792-6924
Those installing gas lines
Partnerships  Virginia State Corporation Commission
(804) 371-9733
Those establishing a business partnership in Virginia 
Plumbing Permits PWC Department of Public Works
Construction Permits and Records
(703) 792-6924
Those installing or replacing plumbing equipment
Sole Proprietorship  PWC Taxpayer Services
(703) 792-6710

PWC Planning Office
(703) 792-6830
Sole owners of businesses. If business is run from the home, must apply for a Home Occupation Certificate.
State Occupation/ Business Licenses Licensing Bureau of PWC
(703) 792-6552
Occupations and professions the require state licensure.
Taxicab, Solicitors, Administrative Fingerprinting,  Adult Business Licenses, Towing Services, Background Checks for Massage Establishment Owners, Backgrounds for Concealed Handguns, peddlers, and itinerant vendors. Licensing Bureau of PWC
(703) 792-6552
Solicitors Licenses are done through the PWC Police Department.
Pawnshop Owners PWC Police Department
(703) 792-6558
Pawnshop Owners and dealers in precious metals, and gems must have a police background check and Circuit Court Approval before applying for a license.
Trade Name Registration Virginia State Corporation Commission
(703) 792-6027

PWC Clerk of the Circuit Court
(703) 792-6015
Businesses operating under a trade or fictitious name.
Trademark Registration Virginia State Corporation Commission
(804) 371-9051
Any person who owns/ uses a trademark in VA
Unemployment Insurance Virginia Employment Commission (PWC Field Office)
(703) 897-0407
Businesses employing one or more persons for 20 or more weeks during a calendar year, or if they pay wages of $1,500 or more during a calendar quarter.
Wastewater Discharge Permits Department of Environmental Quality
(703) 583-3800

PWC Public Works
(703) 792-7070
Any facility emitting potentially harmful substances through the wastewater system PWC Public Works if there is an intrusion upon a Resource Protection Area
Worker's Compensation Virginia Worker's Compensation Commission
(804) 367-8600 or (877) 664-2566
Companies with three or more employees

Tax Requirements

Annual Corporate Registration Fee Virginia State Corporation Commission
(804) 371-9733
All incorporated businesses conducting business in Virginia 
Business Personal Property Tax PWC Taxpayer Services
(703) 792-6710
All businesses in PWC
Business, Professional and Occupational License Tax (BPOL)  PWC Taxpayer Services
(703) 792-6710
All businesses in PWC with gross receipts of at least $100,000 for the preceding year.
Consumer Utilities Tax PWC Taxpayer Services
(703) 792-8036
All commercial operations utilizing telephone, gas, and/or electricity 
Corporate Income Tax Virginia Department of Taxation
(804) 367-8036
All corporations in Virginia 
Income Withholding U.S. Internal Revenue Service
(800) Tax-1040

Virginia Department of Taxation
(804) 367-8037
Employers with one or more employees
Partnerships  Virginia Department of Taxation
(804) 367-8031
Partners operating in Virginia 
Real Estate Property Tax PWC Taxpayer Services
(703) 792-6710 
Real property owners
Sales and Use Tax Virginia Department of Taxation
(804) 367-8031
Businesses and individuals making certain purchases 
Sole Proprietorships Virginia Department of Taxation
(804) 367-8031
Sole proprietors operating in Virginia 
Utility Consumption Tax Virginia State Corporation Commission
(804) 371-9967 or (800) 552-7945
All commercial operations using natural gas and electricity 

License/Permit/ Regulation

Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspections Department of Environmental Quality
(Has oversight over facilities that perform emissions test)
(703) 583-3900
Vehicles housed in PWC
Motor Vehicle Safety Inspections All local facilities permitted to perform inspections Vehicles housed in PWC 
Motor Vehicle Decals/ Personal Property Tax PWC Taxpayer Services
(703) 792-6710
Vehicles housed in PWC

Virginia 

A number of occupations and businesses in Virginia require licensing through state agencies.
Agricultural Product Dealers, Pesticide Applications Virginia Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services
1100 Bank Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Telephone: (804) 786-2373
www.vdacs.state.va.us
 
Accountancy, Appraisers (Real Estate), Architects, Asbestos contractors and workers, Auctioneers, Barbers, Contractors, Cosmetology, Hearing aid dealers and fitters, Interior Designers, Land Surveyors, Landscape Architects, Opticians, Professional Soil Scientists, Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons and Tradesman Department of Professional and
Occupational Regulation
3600 West Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23230
Telephone: (804) 367-8500 Fax: (804) 367-2475
www.dpor.state.va.us
 
Audiology/speech language pathology, Counselors, Dentists, Funeral Directors and embalmers, Doctors, Nursing, Nursing Home Administrators, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Social Work and Veterinary Medicine Virginia Board of Health Professions
6606 West Broad Street
4th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23230
Telephone (804) 662-9900, Fax (804) 662-9943
License Information (804) 662-7636
www.dhp.state.va.us
 
Attorneys Virginia Board of Examiners
Shockoe Centre, Suite 225
11 South 12th Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219-4009
Telephone (804) 786-7490
www.vbbe.state.va.us
 
Private security firms and agencies Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Private Security Section
805 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Telephone (804) 786-4700, Fax (804) 786-6344
http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/privateSecurity/index.cfm  
 
Motor Vehicle Dealers Motor Vehicle Dealer Board
2201 West Broad Street, Suite 104
Richmond, Virginia 23220
Telephone (804) 367-1100
Toll Free (VA only) (800) 270-0203
Fax (804) 367-1503
www.mvdb.vipnet.org/home.html
 
Private trade, business and correspondence schools Virginia State Board of Education
Robert M. Sine, Proprietary Schools Specialist
Office of Adult Education and Literacy
Virginia Department of Education
P.O. Box 2120
Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120
Telephone (804) 225-2848 or (804) 225-2100
Fax: (804) 786-0809
 
Insurance agents/ brokers and agencies State Corporation Commission
Division of Securities and Retail Franchising
P.O. Box 1197
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Telephone (804) 371-9206
Toll Free (VA only) (800) 522-7945
 
For more information regarding the licensing of other businesses and occupations, contact the Virginia state government at (804) 786-0000 or at www.state.va.us

Federal

The federal government issues licenses in certain government-regulated industries appear below.
Alcohol, tobacco and firearms production or sales

U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Office of Liaison and Public Information
650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20226
Telephone (202) 927-8500
www.atf.treas.gov
Alcohol -www.atf.treas.gov/alcohol/permits.htm
Tobacco - www.atf.treas.gov/tobacco/permit.htm
Firearms - www.atf.treas.gov/firearms
Explosives - www.atf.treas.gov/explarson/index.htm
Forms - www.atf.treas.gov/forms/5000.htm

 
Broadcasting Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
Telephone (888) 225-5322, Fax (202) 418-0232
Fax on demand: (202) 418-2830
www.fcc.gov
 
Food, pharmaceutical, medical device, and cosmetics production U.S. Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Telephone (888) 463-6332
www.fda.gov
Information for regulated industry:
www.fda.gov/opacom/morechoices/moreindu.html
 
Securities Sale U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
450 5th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20549
Telephone (202) 942-8088
www.sec.gov/info.html