Licenses & Permits

Opening a New Business in Arlington County

If you are opening a new business in Arlington County, or making changes to an existing Arlington business, like adding an additional location, there are several permits you may need. Most new businesses located in Arlington need to file a request for a Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit and an Arlington County Business License.

New businesses or a new location for an existing Arlington business may require a Public Health Division license. While not an exhaustive list, some of the establishments that require a Public Health license include restaurants, nightclubs/bars, grocery stores, convenience stores and drug stores.

More information on permitting related to opening a new business can be found on the Arlington County Commissioner of Revenue website. More information on how to start a business in Arlington County is available through our BizLaunch resources.

Guidance for New Construction and Interior Alterations

The Building Permit approval process can take 4–6 weeks and sometimes longer if multiple reviews are required. To facilitate reduced review time, it is often helpful to request a Code Consultation with the Inspection Services Division.

Small businesses and projects with representatives who are not familiar with the Arlington County permitting, review and inspection process are highly encouraged to take advantage of this option. Schedule a Code Consultation today.

Information and checklists about new construction and interior alterations are available online. More information about Commercial Building Permits is also available on the County site.

Commercial Signage Permits

The Zoning Ordinance regulates signs; however, certain buildings have Comprehensive Sign Plans, i.e. pre-approved plans that specify types, locations and sizes of signs permitted. Therefore, the types, size, number and location of signs allowed will vary by location.

If you are a new business or tenant, the first step in installing a commercial sign is to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) for the business from the Zoning Office. Once a CO is in place, complete the Sign Application form. If you meet these requirements and your sign complies with the Zoning Ordinance or relevant Comprehensive Sign Plan, your Sign Permit will be approved within five business days.

It is important to note that any sign attached to a building, sidewalk, ground or plaza, or that has a footer or attachments also requires a separate building permit in addition to the sign permit. Additionally, any sign with electricity also requires a separate electrical permit in addition to the sign permit.

For detailed information on a particular location, contact the Zoning Office at (703) 228-3883. For more information on the signage permit process, visit the County’s Sign Permit webpage.

Setting Up Your Arlington County Business License

For entrepreneurs and new businesses, getting a business license can seem like a daunting task. But securing your Arlington County business license can be a painless process with the right resources.

To get started, visit Arlington’s Opening a New Business web page, which has a variety of tools and resources for opening a new business. Here you can find links to complete tasks like registering with the State Corporation Commission, applying for a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and applying for an Arlington County Business License.

Depending on your business's needs, you can also find resources related to homestay rentals, occupancy certificates and health licenses.