Whether your business is just starting up, expanding, or winding down, you must comply with 
the federal, state, and local laws that govern your business activities. You can use your valid, full service Virginia Beach Public Library card to access resources listed on this page. When asked, enter your library card number with a capital D and without spaces.
Books & More
You'll find books, DVDs and other resources in the library catalog under the following subject headings:
Small Business - Law and Legislation
Small Business - Law and Legislation - United States - Legal Forms
E-books & Audiobooks
Visit the Library's digital media site for downloadable audiobooks and e-books. Books are available in a variety of formats and may be transferred to a device. There are many titles listed under Featured Collections - View all Subjects - Business.
Online Research Tools
Encyclopedia of Small Business: Entrepreneurs will gain how-to information that they can apply to their own business including financing, financial planning, business plan creation, market analysis, sales strategy, tax planning, human resource issues and more.
Small Business Reference Center: Use this resource to learn about business basics such as starting a company, operations management, sales and more. Search by business areas and find information by business types.
Legal Tips and Information
Business.gov: Whether your business is just starting up, expanding, or winding down, you must comply with the federal, state, and local laws that govern your business activities. Use these Business.gov resources to help you to stay within the law.
FindLaw's Small Business Center: Information and resources for small business owners, and help for entrepreneurs seeking to get a business idea off the ground. Here you can get information on choosing and forming the right legal structure for your business, legal tips on day-to-day business operations, an overview of employment law issues, and much more.
Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act handbook: Information on the rights, remedies, and responsibilities of landlords and renters concerning the rental process.
Forms and Permits
City of Virginia Beach, Permits and Inspections: Find answers to frequently asked questions about permits in Virginia Beach and the procedures and forms needed to obtain a permit.
The License & Permit Index: From the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, this web site is a directory of all Virginia departments that issue licenses and permits.
The State Corporation Commission: On this web site, you'll find forms to help you prepare documents that will meet the requirements for filing under Virginia law. Most forms can be downloaded as a Word document to your computer, where you can make the adjustments you need or desire.