Permits for a Brewery in Virginia Beach, Virginia

A brewery in Virginia Beach, Virginia needs 14 permits including brewery license, responsible seller/server training, music license (ascap/bmi/sesac), and more. Each has specific costs, deadlines, and renewal requirements.

We found 14 permits you’ll likely need. Costs, deadlines, and direct .gov links included.

14 permits found

For a Brewery in Virginia Beach, VA

Alcohol / Liquor (2)Business License (2)Employment (2)Fire Safety (2)Health & Safety (2)Signage (1)Tax (2)Zoning (1)

Alcohol / Liquor

Brewery License
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (VA ABC)·VA (state-level)
Alcohol / Liquor

Authorizes the manufacture of beer. Allows on-premises tasting room sales and wholesale distribution. Virginia ABC issues the license.

$5 - $22 (Annual license fee $450–$2,200 depending on production volume. Application fee $195.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~90 days
Manufacturing without a license: criminal offense under Virginia Code 4.1. ($5 - $25)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Responsible Seller/Server Training
Virginia ABC Authority·VA (state-level)
Alcohol / Liquor

Virginia ABC encourages responsible seller/server training. Completion provides an affirmative defense against certain violations.

$0 - $0 (flat fee, varies by training provider)
Renewal: Varies
Processing: ~1 days
Employers allowing untrained staff to serve alcohol face enforcement actions. ($1 - $10)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Business License

Music License (ASCAP/BMI/SESAC)
ASCAP / BMI / SESAC·VA (state-level)
Business License

Any Virginia business that plays copyrighted music publicly — background music, live bands, DJs, jukeboxes, or streaming — must obtain public performance licenses from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.

$3 - $20 (annual fee per PRO; based on venue size and type of music use)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~7 days
Playing copyrighted music without a license can result in statutory damages of $750-$30,000 per song under the Copyright Act. ($8 - $300)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Virginia Business Entity Registration (SCC)
Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC)·VA (state-level)
Business License

All LLCs, corporations, and other business entities must register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC). Annual registration fee required for LLCs.

$1 - $1 (LLC Articles of Organization: $100. Annual registration fee: $50. Corporation charter: $100.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~7 days
Failure to file annual registration: entity may be automatically cancelled by the SCC. ($0 - $1)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Employment

Virginia Unemployment Tax Registration
Virginia Employment Commission (VEC)·VA (state-level)
Employment

Virginia employers must register with the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). New employer rate approximately 2.5%. Taxable wage base is $8,000 per employee.

$0 - $0 (Registration free. Tax rate varies by experience.)
Renewal: Varies
Processing: ~14 days
Failure to register: penalties and interest under Virginia Employment Commission Act. ($1 - $50)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission·VA (state-level)
Employment

Virginia requires employers with 3 or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. Coverage from private insurers or the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission.

$5 - $50 (Premium varies by industry, payroll, and experience.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~7 days
Operating without coverage with 3+ employees: fine up to $250/day or imprisonment up to 12 months. ($5 - $500)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Fire Safety

Certificate of Occupancy
Local Building Official / Department of Housing and Community Development·VA (state-level)
Fire Safety

Required before occupying a commercial building. Verifies building code compliance under Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC).

$1 - $3 (Fees vary by locality. Typical range $50–$300.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~30 days
Occupying without a C of O: violation of Virginia USBC. ($1 - $5)
Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Fire Safety Inspection Certificate
Local Fire Marshal / Virginia State Fire Marshal·VA (state-level)
Fire Safety

Required for commercial establishments. Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC) requires periodic inspections by the local fire marshal.

$1 - $3 (Fees vary by locality. Typical range $50–$300.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~14 days
Non-compliance: fines and closure under Virginia SFPC. ($1 - $10)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Health & Safety

Food Establishment Permit
Local Health Department / Virginia Department of Health·VA (state-level)
Health & Safety

Required for all food establishments in Virginia. Issued by the local health department under the Virginia Department of Health. Must comply with Virginia Food Regulations (12 VAC 5-421). Certified food manager required.

$1 - $5 (Fees vary by locality and establishment size. Typical range $100–$500 annually.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~14 days
Operating without a permit: fines and closure under Virginia Food Regulations. ($1 - $10)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Food Handler Certification
ANSI-Accredited Training Providers / State Health Department·VA (state-level)
Health & Safety

Virginia requires food handlers to obtain certification from an ANSI-accredited training provider. At least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) must be on staff.

$0 - $2 (handler card $10-$15; manager certification $80-$175)
Renewal: Varies
Processing: ~1 days
Establishments without certified food safety personnel face health inspection violations and potential permit suspension. ($1 - $10)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Signage

Sign Permit
Local Building / Zoning Department·VA (state-level)
Signage

Required by most Virginia localities before installing exterior signage. Local zoning ordinances regulate sign specifications.

$0 - $3 (Fees vary by locality. Typical range $25–$300.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~14 days
Installing without a permit: fines and mandatory removal. ($1 - $5)
Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Tax

Virginia Sales Tax Registration (Certificate of Registration)
Virginia Department of Taxation·VA (state-level)
Tax

Required for businesses making retail sales. Virginia general sales tax rate is 5.3% (4.3% state + 1% local). Higher rate in certain regions. Registration free through Virginia Tax Online Services.

$0 - $0 (Free to register.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~7 days
Failure to collect or remit: penalties and interest under Virginia Tax Code. ($0 - $100)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Virginia Withholding Tax Registration
Virginia Department of Revenue / Taxation·VA (state-level)
Tax

Employers in Virginia must register to withhold state income tax from employee wages. Registration required before first payroll.

$0 - $0 (no registration fee)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~14 days
Failure to register for withholding can result in penalties and interest on unpaid taxes. ($1 - $50)
Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Zoning

Zoning Permit / Certificate of Zoning Compliance
Local Zoning / Planning Department·VA (state-level)
Zoning

Verifies that the proposed business use complies with local zoning ordinances. Required before obtaining building permits or certificates of occupancy.

$0 - $3 (Fees vary by locality. Typical range $25–$300.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~14 days
Operating in non-compliant zone: fines and forced closure. ($1 - $5)
Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Don't forget these deadlines

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From $12/month

Total penalty exposure

$26 – $1,081

if you skip or miss these permits

Based on published penalty schedules. Your actual fines may differ depending on your city or county.

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Riverside Bar & Grill

Austin, TX

94%
Liquor LicenseActive
Business LicenseActive
Health PermitActive
Fire Safety InspectionExpiring Soon
Sign PermitApplied
Verified by PermitDue — as of March 15, 2026
permitdue.com/packet/a3f8...

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