County · 23rd Judicial Circuit
Start an LLC in Roanoke County, Virginia
Roanoke County businesses form an LLC with the State Corporation Commission for $100, not with the county. In 2024 Roanoke County had 2,678 business establishments and 37,445 jobs, its general sales tax rate is 5.3 percent, and the Clerk of the 23rd Circuit Court is W. Michael Galliher at P.O. Box 1126, 305 E. Main Street, Salem, VA 24153-1126. Our Starter package is $149 plus the SCC fee.
Last verified: November 10, 2026, against official Virginia sources.
Establishments (2024)
2,678
Jobs (2024)
37,445
Sales tax
5.3%
Circuit Court Clerk
(540) 387-6205
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.
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.
Doing business in Roanoke County
Roanoke County, in the Roanoke Valley of southwest Virginia, had 2,678 business establishments and 37,445 jobs in 2024 with about 97,000 residents. Health care, outdoor recreation businesses near the Blue Ridge Parkway and a strong base of contractors define much of its small business economy.
Roanoke County is separate from the City of Roanoke and from the City of Salem, both of which are independent cities. The county's Clerk of the Circuit Court is on East Main Street in Salem, so the courthouse address is inside a city that is not part of the county. The Town of Vinton is the county's incorporated town; Cave Spring and Hollins are unincorporated.
Taxable sales in Roanoke County are at 5.3 percent. Because three local governments meet in the valley, confirming whether you are in the county, Roanoke city or Salem is the most important step before applying for a business license.
Official sourceRoanoke County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Roanoke County records deeds and land records, keeps court files, and records the SCC certificate of a name change or merger for property the company owns there ($10 recording fee under § 13.1-1067). The office does not form companies.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Office | Clerk of the Circuit Court, Roanoke County |
| Clerk | W. Michael Galliher |
| Judicial circuit | 23rd |
| Address | P.O. Box 1126, 305 E. Main Street, Salem, VA 24153-1126 |
| Phone | (540) 387-6205 |
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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.
Roanoke County business numbers
Establishment and employment counts are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; population is the Census Bureau's 2024 estimate.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Business establishments, 2024 annual average | 2,678 |
| Employment, 2024 annual average | 37,445 |
| Jobs per establishment | 14.0 |
| Population, July 2024 estimate | 97,334 |
| Residents per establishment | 36 |
| Rank among Virginia counties by establishments | #11 |
Roanoke County sales tax and business license
Roanoke County is outside Virginia's regional sales tax areas, so Virginia Tax lists the general 5.3 percent rate. Groceries and essential personal hygiene items are taxed at 1 percent statewide.
With more than 50,000 residents, Roanoke County's business license fee cannot exceed $50 under § 58.1-3703; any license tax on gross receipts is set locally.
| Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| State sales and use tax | 4.3% |
| Local option | 1% |
| General rate in Roanoke County | 5.3% |
Forming the company, step by step
- Check the name against the SCC's records, ignoring endings like LLC and Inc.
- File Articles of Organization with the State Corporation Commission: $100 for an LLC, or $75 for a corporation with up to 25,000 authorized shares.
- Name a registered agent who qualifies under § 13.1-1015. Ours is $199 a year.
- Get an EIN from the IRS, then open a business bank account.
- Apply for the local business license with your city, county or town.
- Pay the $50 annual registration fee each year by the last day of your formation month.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Roanoke mailing address always in the City of Roanoke?
No. Many Roanoke mailing addresses are in Roanoke County. The locality decides which office licenses you.
Why is the county clerk in Salem?
The Roanoke County courthouse is located in Salem, even though Salem is an independent city.
What does it cost to form an LLC in Roanoke County?
$100 to the SCC plus our package: Starter $149, Pro $299 or Complete $399. Add $199 a year for a registered agent unless you choose Complete.
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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.
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.