Prepare the following information for your application:

• Federal Tax ID number (FEIN) or Social Security number.
• Business name
• Owner name
• NAICS code
• Description of business
• Business address
• Summary of business activities
• Estimated first year gross receipts
• Begin date
• Authorized signature/title
• Contact Information

1. Apply for a zoning approval. Select and complete one of the Zoning permit applications below: 

• Business will be located at a commercial location, click here.

• Business will be a "home-based business", click here.

Follow the instructions indicated in the application to obtain your Zoning permit, as appropriate zoning approval must be obtained first. You may submit your application electronically, please send to community.development@herndon-va.gov. If you have questions related to zoning, please contact the Department of Community Development at 703-787-7380.

2.  After receiving zoning approval, submit your BPOL Application. If filing as individual or sole proprietor, complete the Residency Status Affidavit to establish proof of residency status.  Estimate your gross receipts from the date your business begins operations through the end of the year. The BPOL tax will be calculated based on your estimation.

Submission Methods

• Email: revenue@herndon-va.gov. Once application has been received and processed, you will receive an email with bill number, amount due and link to make a payment.
• In person: 777 Lynn Street, Herndon VA 20170. Our office is located on the first floor. Staff are available to assist with any questions and to provide guidance as needed. Please bring your completed application and an acceptable form of payment. If payment is made by cash or credit card, the Business License Certificate may be issued the same day.
• Mail/ Drop box: 777 Lynn Street, Herndon VA 20170. Drop box is brown and located by the front entrance door. You are welcomed to leave documents and check payment in an envelope after work hours.

3. After your license invoice is paid, your official Business License Certificate will be mailed within 10 business days.

For business classified as "Out of Town Contractor", the following forms and documents must be submitted:

• Out of Town Contractor BPOL application.
• Certificate of Worker's Comp Form (Form 61-A). 
• Copy of State Contractor's License.

Why is a Town of Herndon contractor license required? Please refer to VA State Code § 58.1-3715

Every massage therapy establishment located within the Town of Herndon must have a current Fairfax County Massage Establishment permit prior to obtaining a Business License (BPOL) from the town. This permit must be renewed yearly with Fairfax County and presented to the town. Please contact the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration for more information.  We have received reports that Fairfax County may take up to 60 days to issue a massage establishment permit. 

Business owners must renew their BPOL license each year. Most of the Town’s license taxes are based on total gross receipts from the preceding business year. **The Town Council has approved new business license rates: $0.17 per $100 of gross receipts for retail merchants and $0.19 per $100 for repair services. This change applies only to Retail Merchant and Repair Service businesses. These rates will take effect in 2026.**

Important Deadlines

• Renewal Due Date: March 1st (All required documents and payment must be submitted to qualify as on-time)
• Late Penalty: A 10% penalty will be applied for renewals submitted after March 1st.
• Renewal Mailings: Businesses registered in the previous year will receive a renewal application by mail in January.

Required Renewal Forms

• Business Renewal Application
• Proof of Gross Receipts 
• Coin-Operated Machines Renewal Form - Complete if applicable, in addition to the renewal form.

Your application is incomplete if either of the documents above are missing.

Proof of Gross Receipts Examples

If your current year’s tax records are not available by March 1st, please submit a copy of your 2024 Profit & Loss (P&L) or Income Statement.

How to Submit

Option 1: By Email📧 revenue@herndon-va.gov  (For a same-day response, please ensure your email is submitted by 4:30 p.m)

Once your application has been received and processed, you will receive an email with your:

• Account number / Bill number

• Amount due

• Secure payment link

Option 2: In Person or By Mail📍Town of Herndon / Revenue Department 
                                                           777 Lynn Street 
                                                           Herndon, VA 20170-4602

• Close of Business Notice-Relocation Application

• Amended Renewal Application