Starting a Retail Business

Here is a checklist to guide you in opening a retail business in Hampton. The Hampton Retail Assistance Program can help you with any of these steps. Call our Hotline at 727-6237.

• Decide what business you want to start based on market demand.
• Begin your research, education and networking.
• Prepare a written Business Plan.

Product/Service	Management
The Market	Personnel
The Competition	Application of Loan
Location of Business	Financial Data

This can serve as an operating guide as well as a financing prospectus. Free and confidential help is available through our office and our other many resources.

1. Name Your Business

Call the State Corporation Commission at (804) 371-9733 to register for a partnership or corporation.

To register a trade name you must call the Clerk of Circuit Court at (757) 727-6105.

2. Find the best location(s) for your business

The Retail Assistance Program offers market data needed to make site selection decisions for all commercials areas in the city.

3. Check site/use conditions

Visit the Land Development Services Department, 3rd floor, City Hall, or phone 727-6333 to verify if each site you are considering meets local zoning ordinances, regulations, parking requirements, and other land use restrictions.

4. Determine property value

Visit the Assessor's Office on the 6th floor of the Ruppert Sargeant Building, 1 Franklin Street, or telephone 727-8311 for information concerning property values.

5. Check past due taxes/fees

Contact the Treasurer's Office, telephone 727-8311, to determine any outstanding taxes or fees on the property. Outstanding fees may affect your ability to obtain licenses or permits for your business.

6. Secure all necessary financing

For further information, refer to the financing section of this website or contact the Economic Development Department.

7. New construction and Remodeling of Existing Structures

Contact Land Development Services Office 727-6333 to set up a pre-construction meeting. Economic Development staff can help facilitate this process. Please contact us for assistance.

1. Submit your site plan to Engineering for review by necessary departments.
2. Submit your building plans to Codes Compliance Department for review.
3. Obtain permits from Central Permits Office.
4. Request inspections from Codes Compliance Department by calling the 311 Call Center.
5. Obtain Certificate of Occupancy from Codes Compliance Department.

8. Obtain local business license

Visit the City Of Hampton Commissioner of the Revenue's Office, 1 Franklin Street, first floor, telephone 727-6700 to obtain a license. If you wish to operate as a sole proprietorship or a partnership, you must also file a "Certificate As" with the Clerk of Circuit Court, 101 Kings Way Court House, phone 727-6105. Then file a copy with the Commissioner of the Revenue.

9. Obtain State Licenses/permits

Call the Virginia Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation at (804) 367-8500 to determine whether you need a state license or permit for your business activity.

10. Obtain State Forms/requirements

Contact the Virginia Department of Taxation at (804) 367-8037 for State ID#, sales tax and withholding forms, and ask for a Combined Registration Application (Form R-l).

11. Incorporate/Trademarks

Contact the State Corporation Commission at (804) 371-9967, if you wish to incorporate, or if you want to determine whether your company name is in use and protected by trademark, service mark, or incorporation.

12. Obtain Federal Forms/requirements

Contact the IRS at (800) 829-4933 to apply for Federal ID# (Form SS-4) and request a "Tax Kit."

13. Register vehicles

Contact the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles at (804) 497-7100 for registration of vehicles, including special arrangements for fleet registration.

14. Estimate Income Tax payments

Be prepared to make estimated payments soon after starting your business. You may be required to make them quarterly.

15. Hire Employees

1. Obtain Federal Employer Number from the Internal Revenue Office (Form SS-4, EIN), call (800) 829-4933.
2. Register with the Virginia Employment Commission, telephone 865-5800.
3. Obtain worker's compensation insurance coverage for your employees. Contact any local insurance agent for more details. Ask if they earned the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation.

16. Open for business

Review and execute all the remaining steps outlined in your business plan, such as ordering inventories, store layouts, bookkeeping, store policies, advertising, etc. Prepare for Grand Opening.