Permits and License Contact Information
Effective January 1, 2020, all Certificates of Assumed or Fictitious Names are being handled by the State Corporation Commission (SCC). The Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office will now only accept the Certificate of Release of Assumed or Fictitious Name if the original was previously recorded in the Clerk’s Office. The fee for this is $10.00 and payment is made by cash, check or money order.
Bedford County does not require a business license. However, depending on the type of business you are developing, you may be required to apply for other specialty licenses or permits through Bedford County or the Commonwealth of Virginia. Learn more here.
Other Permits and License Contact Information
| Air Pollution Control Hazardous Materials Permits | Facilities emitting gases or particles. Facilities with air emission units (Incinerators, dry cleaners, certain fuel burners, etc). Facilities using/operating with any hazardous material. | Bedford County Department of Health Environmental Services | Phone (540) 586-7952 | Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality | (434) 582-5120 | Bedford County Fire & Rescue | (540) 587-0700 |
| Alcoholic Beverage Licenses | All selling alcoholic beverages. | Virginia ABC Board | (804) 213-4400 |
| Building Permits | Anyone erecting or modifying building structures. | Bedford County Building Inspections | (540) 586-7616 |
| Tax Structure – Personal Property, Real Estate, Sales Tax, Meals Tax, Business furniture, fixtures & Equipment, Machinery & Tools Tax | All businesses located or operating in Bedford County are required to contact the Commissioner of Revenue’s Office in filing the applicable tax documents | Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office | (540) 586-7621 |
| Certificates of Authority | Corporations doing business in VA but incorporated elsewhere. | Virginia State Corporation Commission | (804) 371-9733 |
| Contractor Licenses | Practicing electrical, mechanical (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), plumbing and home improvement contractors. | Virginia Dept. of Professional & Occupational Regulation | (804) 367-8511 |
| Electrical Permits | Those installing or replacing electrical equipment. | Bedford County Building Inspections | (540) 586-7616 |
| Employer ID Number | Businesses required filing federal tax documents. | US Internal Revenue Service | 800-829-1040 or 800-829-3676 |
| Food Service Permits | All food establishments. | Bedford County Department of Health | (540) 586-7952 |US Dept. of Agriculture | (800) 233-3935 |
| Home Occupation Permit | Businesses located in residential dwellings. | Planning & Zoning Office | (540) 586-7616 |
| Mechanical Permits | Those installing or replacing mechanical equipment. | Bedford County Building Inspections | (540) 586-7612 |
| Plumbing Permits | Those installing or replacing plumbing equipment. | Bedford County Building Inspections | (540) 586-7616 |
| Occupancy Permit | Those building new facilities for business use, changing the use of a building or changing the business of an existing commercial building. | Planning & Zoning Office | (540) 586-7616 |
| State Occupation/Business License | Occupations and professions that require state licensure. | Various state agencies | (804) 786-0000 Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation |
| Trade Name Registration | Business operating under a trade or fictitious name. | Virginia State Corporation Commission Clerk Information System |
| Trademark Registration | Any person who owns/uses a trademark in Virginia. | Virginia State Corporation Commission | (804) 371-9051 |
