Demographics
Your business plan should provide a good description of your target customers -- who is the most likely to purchase your products or services. Use this information to your advantage and consider how you can locate your business to most effectively serve your target customer base.
Consider factors such as age, ethnicity, gender, income, buying habits, occupations, and household composition. For instance, if your target customers are mothers with small children, you may want to think about neighborhoods that are family-friendly or areas that are located close to other family amenities.
There are several online tools that you can use to conduct a demographic analysis. PolicyMap and Esri Atlas are both examples of free websites that aggregate demographic information and can help you research potential locations for your business.
Check the Zoning
All property within the City of Virginia Beach has a zoning designation that says what types of business uses are allowed on that property, as well as other requirements such as the number of parking spaces that need to be provided for customers. These regulations help to protect both business owners and local residents – you may not want a liquor store to open next to your day care center.
It's important to make sure you understand what's allowed on your property and whether your property conforms to local zoning requirements before signing a lease. While it's possible to get exceptions or waivers from zoning requirements through the Planning and Community Development it is often a costly and time-consuming process. Finding a property that's already zoned for what you need is the easiest and fastest way to get started!
Home-Based Businesses
Home based businesses require a
Business License and must provide proof of residency and complete the
Restrictions for Home Use form. If you are locating near NAS Oceana, please read the notice,
"New Businesses Locating near NAS Oceana". Home based businesses are allowed under the following circumstances without a Conditional Use Permit:
- The business use of the home is clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential use of the home. There is no change in the outside appearance of the home or lot and no noise that can be heard from the street or neighboring property.
- There is no traffic generated beyond what would normally be expected in the neighborhood. Vehicles associated with the business, including customers, are parked in the driveway and not on the street.
- Only one commercial vehicle is permitted as long as its carrying capacity is one ton or less, its height is seven feet (7') or less, and its length is 20 feet or less.
- The person operating the business lives in the home.
- No person other than members of the immediate family who also live in the home are employed by the business. (With a Conditional Use Permit, one employee who does not reside in the home is permitted in addition to family members who live in the home).
- The business must be located only in the principal structure on the lot (cannot be located in an accessory structure unless a Conditional Use Permit is approved).
- There are no sales of products or merchandise to the general public.
- No more than one patron, customer, or pupil may be present at one time (unless a Conditional Use Permit is approved).
The following businesses are specifically not permitted in the home: convalescent or nursing homes, tourist homes, massage or tattoo parlors, body piercing establishments, radio or television repair shops, and auto repair shops.
Some home businesses require a Conditional Use Permit. Contact the
Zoning Office at (757) 385-8074 to find out if a Conditional Use Permit is required. If a Conditional Use Permit is required, contact the
Planning Department at (757) 385-4621 and ask to speak to a Current Planner or download the Conditional Use Permit Application Package and read about the application process.