Local guides · Virginia
Virginia Counties and Cities for Business Owners
Virginia LLCs and corporations are formed statewide with the State Corporation Commission, but licensing, sales tax rates and land records are local. These pages cover the 15 Virginia counties with the most business establishments in 2024 and the 7 most populous independent cities, each with its Clerk of the Circuit Court, tax rate and business numbers.
Last verified: November 10, 2026, against official Virginia sources.
Counties covered
15
Cities covered
7
General sales tax
5.3% to 7%
SCC LLC fee
$100
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Virginia filings for owners. We are not the Virginia State Corporation Commission and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.
Localities covered
Counties are ranked by 2024 establishments from the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; cities by the Census Bureau's 2024 population estimates.
| Locality | Type | Establishments (2024) | Sales tax | Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County | County | 38,934 | 6% | (703) 246-4111 |
| Loudoun County | County | 14,735 | 6% | (703) 777-0270 |
| Henrico County | County | 12,661 | 6% | (804) 501-4202 |
| Prince William County | County | 10,632 | 6% | (703) 792-6015 |
| Chesterfield County | County | 10,284 | 6% | (804) 748-1241 |
| Arlington County | County | 9,629 | 6% | (703) 228-7010 |
| Hanover County | County | 4,310 | 6% | (804) 365-6151 |
| Albemarle County | County | 4,185 | 5.3% | (434) 972-4083 |
| Spotsylvania County | County | 3,570 | 5.3% | (540) 507-7600 |
| Stafford County | County | 3,280 | 5.3% | (540) 658-8750 |
| Roanoke County | County | 2,678 | 5.3% | (540) 387-6205 |
| Fauquier County | County | 2,638 | 5.3% | (540) 422-8100 |
| Montgomery County | County | 2,613 | 5.3% | (540) 382-5760 |
| Bedford County | County | 2,307 | 5.3% | (540) 586-7632 |
| James City County | County | 2,261 | 7% | (757) 564-2242 |
| Virginia Beach | City | 13,794 | 6% | (757) 385-4181 |
| Chesapeake | City | 6,889 | 6% | (757) 382-3000 |
| Richmond | City | 9,205 | 6% | (804) 646-6505 |
| Norfolk | City | 6,441 | 6% | (757) 389-8942 |
| Newport News | City | 4,501 | 6% | (757) 926-8561 |
| Alexandria | City | 6,382 | 6% | (703) 746-4044 |
| Hampton | City | 3,180 | 6% | (757) 727-6105 |
Why Virginia cities are listed separately
Virginia's 38 independent cities are not part of any county. A business in the City of Alexandria is licensed by the city, while one with an Alexandria mailing address in Fairfax County is licensed by the county. Each city has its own circuit court clerk for land records.
Official sourceSolve this in 5 minutes
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Virginia filings for owners. We are not the Virginia State Corporation Commission and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.
Sales tax tiers
Virginia Tax lists a 7 percent general rate in the Historic Triangle (James City County, Williamsburg and York County), 6 percent in Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia, 6.3 percent in a group of Southside and Eastern Shore localities, and 5.3 percent everywhere else.
Official sourceYour first local stop after the SCC
Once the SCC approves the company, contact the Commissioner of the Revenue or business license office in the county or city where you operate. Most localities charge a license fee of no more than $50, or $30 in places under 25,000 people, and may levy a license tax on gross receipts. Each locality page lists the circuit court clerk's address and phone for deeds and other records.
Official sourceFrequently asked questions
Do I form my LLC with my county?
No. Every Virginia LLC is formed with the State Corporation Commission. Counties and cities handle business licenses.
SourceWhat does the circuit court clerk do for an LLC?
Records deeds for property the LLC owns and, after a name change, the SCC certificate reciting it (§ 13.1-1067).
SourceReady when you are
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Virginia filings for owners. We are not the Virginia State Corporation Commission and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.