Permits

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The City of Fairfax Police Department issues permits to individuals or business involved in certain fundraising activities or businesses. Please click on the sections below for the general outline of these regulations and links to the corresponding City Code ordinances. Information: 703-385-7955

NOTE: Licenses and permits from other jurisdictions, including Fairfax County, are not valid in the City of Fairfax.

(Other city departments issue various required permits and licenses not included below, including the Commissioner of the Revenue, Code Administration, Community Development & Planning, and Zoning. Click on the Government tab at the top of this page for links to these and other city department pages.)

Adult Business

To operate an Adult Business

The City of Fairfax regulates establishments designated as adult businesses and requires a special permit for these businesses to operate (City Code Chapter 14, Article VI).

To determine the necessary permits and/or licenses:

Confirm your chosen business location is authorized under city zoning ordinances (City of Fairfax Zoning Office: email, 703-385-7820).
Obtain a city business license (Office of the Commissioner of Revenue; email, 703-385-7884).
Review and complete the Adult Use Permit Application and Information Form.
Schedule an appointment with the police department to submit the necessary forms (703-385-7955).

To obtain an Adult Use Permit:

Complete the application and information form.
Call 703-385-7955 to schedule an appointment to submit your application.
Pay a nonrefundable permit fee of $500 for the original application (or $300 annual renewal fee).
Be fingerprinted and photographed to document your identity.
Provide a record check for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Provide a residential jurisdiction record check.
Provide a Certificate of Occupancy Certificate issued by the Zoning Department.
Present a City of Fairfax Business License issued by the city Commissioner of Revenue.

The Police Department will conduct a limited background check to determine if you have any criminal arrests and, if so, if any of the offenses would disqualify you from being approved.

You will be advised within 30 days if your application has been approved, denied, or if additional time is needed to complete backgrounds. If approved, you will be provided with a permit that must be displayed at your place of business.

Charitable Exempt

For Charitable Solicitations

A license is required for charitable solicitations. (City Code Article II, Chapter 62).

To determine the necessary permits and/or licenses:

Confirm you chosen business location is authorized under city zoning ordinances (City of Fairfax Zoning Office: email, 703-385-7820).
Obtain a city business license (Office of the Commissioner of Revenue; email, 703-385-7884).
Schedule an appointment with the police department (703-385-7955). A representative will determine whether you or your organization are properly registered with the commonwealth as a charitable organization, and will review permits and licenses you will need for your specific activity.

To obtain a permit to conduct Charitable Solicitations:

You must complete a City of Fairfax Charitable Organizations Exemption application (even if you are exempt from the city business license requirement).
If you are not exempt, you must complete an application form and pay a non-refundable fee of $10 to process your registration and application.

Once your application has been received, the Police Department will review the permit application. You will be advised within 30 days if your application has been approved or denied.

If approved, you will be issued the appropriate license or letter certifying that you have been registered.

Firearms Dealer

Firearms Dealer

You must obtain a special license prior to dealing in firearms. Please fully review City Code Chapter 14, Article IV.

To determine the necessary permits and/or licenses:

Confirm your chosen business location is authorized under city zoning ordinances (City of Fairfax Zoning Office: email, 703-385-7820).
Obtain a city business license: (Office of the Commissioner of Revenue; email, 703-385-7884).
Download the Firearms Dealer Permit Application and Information Form.
Schedule an appointment with the police department to submit the necessary forms (703-385-7955).

To obtain a permit as a Firearms Dealer:

Complete the application form.
Pay a $25 non-refundable permit fee.
Be fingerprinted and photographed to document your identity.
Provide copies of:
- Your federal firearms license
- Your city business license
- Any relevant city zoning permits

Once your application has been received, the Police Department will review the permit application and conduct any necessary background checks. You will be advised within 30 days if your application has been approved or denied.

If approved, the department will issue you a permit that must be displayed at your business. There is no expiration date for this permit, unless revoked.

Massage Establishment

If you want to operate a Massage Establishment

The City of Fairfax regulates massage establishments and requires a special permit for businesses to operate a massage establishment. There are also strict regulations governing this type of activity. Please review City Code Chapter 14, Article VI.

Note: All persons at your business who perform massages must to have a city-issued massage therapist permit. Click here to download the application.

To determine the necessary permits and/or licenses:

Confirm you chosen business location is authorized under city zoning ordinances (City of Fairfax Zoning Office: email, 703-385-7820).
Obtain a city business license: (Office of the Commissioner of Revenue; email, 703-385-7884).
Complete the Massage Establishment Application.
Schedule an appointment with the police department to submit the necessary forms (703-385-7955).

To obtain a massage establishment two-year permit:

Complete the application and information form.
Pay a $150 non-refundable permit fee.
Be fingerprinted at the first application (not for renewals if permit remains valid) and photographed to document your identity.
Submit to a background check to determine if you have any offenses on your record would disqualify you from being approved.

You will be advised within 60 days if your application has been approved or denied. If approved, you will be provided with a permit that must be displayed at your place of business.

Massage Therapist

Massage Therapist

Those persons who actually perform massages must have a permit and conduct the massage at a licensed massage establishment. There are strict regulations governing massages. Please review City Code Chapter 14, Article VI.

To determine the necessary permits and/or licenses:

Confirm the location at which you will be performing massages is authorized under city zoning ordinances (City of Fairfax Zoning Office: email, 703-385-7820).
Obtain a city business license: (Office of the Commissioner of Revenue; email, 703-385-7884).
Download the Massage Therapist Permit Application.
Schedule an appointment with the police department to submit the necessary forms (703-385-7955).

To obtain a Massage Therapist two-year permit:

Complete the Massage Therapist Permit Application.
Pay a non-refundable $100 permit fee.
Be fingerprinted at the first application (not for renewals if permit remains valid) and photographed to document your identity.
Provide written documentation that you are licensed as a massage therapist with the Board of Nursing of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Police Department will conduct a limited background check to determine if you have any criminal arrests and, if so, if any of the offenses would disqualify you from being approved.

You will be advised within 21 days if your application has been approved or denied. If approved, you will be provided with a permit that must be displayed at your place of business.

Precious Metals Dealer

Precious Metal Dealer or Pawnbroker

You must obtain a special license prior to dealing in precious metals, gems and other personal property, or as a pawnbroker. Please review City Code Chapter 14, Article IV.

To obtain the necessary permits and/or licenses:

Confirm your chosen business location is authorized under city zoning ordinances (City of Fairfax Zoning Office: email, 703-385-7820).
Obtain a city business license (Office of the Commissioner of Revenue; email, 703-385-7884).
Review and complete the Precious Metals Dealer/Pawnbroker Application.
Schedule an appointment with the police department to submit the necessary forms (703-385-7955).

To obtain a permit as a precious metals dealer or pawnbroker:

Review and complete the Precious Metals Dealer/Pawnbroker Application..
Pay a non-refundable $300 permit fee.
Be fingerprinted and photographed to document your identity.
Provide a written certification from the Commonwealth of Virginia of the accuracy of all weight scales that will be used in your business.
Provide documentation certifying that you are bonded in the amount of $10,000.

Once your application has been received, the Police Department will review the permit application and conduct any necessary background checks.

You will be advised within 30 days if your application has been approved or denied. If approved, the Department will issue you a permit that must be displayed at your business. Your permit will be valid for 12 months and will need to be renewed on an annual basis.

Non-Charitable Canvasser, Peddler, or Solicitor

Canvassing, Peddling, or Soliciting for Non-Charitable Purposes

If you are involved with any canvassing, peddling, or soliciting within the City of Fairfax, you must be licensed by the city before conducting this activity. Please review City Code Chapter 62, Article III.

To determine the necessary permits and/or licenses:

Confirm your chosen business location is authorized under city zoning ordinances (City of Fairfax Zoning Office: email, 703-385-7820).
Obtain a city business license (Office of the Commissioner of Revenue; email, 703-385-7884).
Review and complete the Non-Charitable Canvasser, Peddler, or Solicitor Permit.
Schedule an appointment with the police department to submit the necessary forms (703-385-7955).

To obtain a permit to Canvass, Peddle or Solicit for Non-Charitable Purposes:

Complete the necessary application form.
Be fingerprinted and photographed to document your identify.
Pay a $20.00 non-refundable fee to process your application.

The Police Department will conduct a limited background check to determine if you have any criminal arrests and, if so, if any of the offenses would disqualify you from being approved.

You will be advised within 30 days if your application has been approved or denied. If approved, you will be provided with a personal photo identification permit card. This permit must be in your possession and displayed by you when conducting business.

Active Non-Charitable Canvasser, Peddler, or Solicitor Permits