Zoning
We recommend contacting the Town Planner in our Zoning Office prior to signing a lease or purchasing property to ensure your intended use is permitted in the desired location. The Planner can provide resources and help you to navigate the process of obtaining the permits and licenses required to start your new business.
The Town Planner can advise you on whether the business you want to start is allowed on the property you have in mind.
Our Town Planner keeps a list of suitable commercial properties that are available for sale and/or lease.
Yes. A zoning permit must be obtained before a business:
- Opens in a fixed location,
- Installs signage,
- Renovates an existing building, or
- Constructs a new building.
To obtain a zoning permit, please fill out the Project Proposal and email it to permits@bridgewater.town along with additional required details:
- Name and location of business,
- Type of business (retail, professional office, restaurant, etc.)
- Square footage of business space (ALL space- including storage, restrooms, kitchen, etc.),* and
- Drawing or picture showing parking lot and clearly stating number of dust-proof (9'x18') parking spaces. See Title 17 Chapter 2 for parking lot landscaping requirements (Green Law).*
More information about Zoning can be found here.
Business License
All businesses located within the corporate limits of the Town of Bridgewater must obtain a Town business license from our Treasurer’s Office. Dependent on the type of business, there may be other requirements as well.
Call the Treasurer's Office at (540) 908-3399.
Home Business
A Home Occupation is any commercial endeavor which is undertaken in a residence. There are two types of Home Occupations in Bridgewater:
- A Level One Home Occupation is allowed in any residential district and requires a business license and a standard zoning permit for a business operating in a fixed location.
- A Level Two Home Occupation also requires a business license and is allowed in any residential district only through a Special Use Permit. The Town Planner can help you with this process. Call 540-908-2536.
You will need to apply for the Zoning permit and Business License. See the information above.
Resources
We publish a quarterly newsletter called the B-Conomist that is geared towards our business community. In it you will find news about town events and how you can use them to give back while promoting your business. You will also see about opportunities and new resources that we have come across and want to share. To receive the B-Conomist by email, contact the Town Planner at (540) 908-4212.
- Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce equips area businesses through training, a business toolkit, and networking opportunities.
- SCORE- Shenandoah Valley SCORE Office offers free mentoring and low-cost training.
- Shenandoah Community Capital Fund shares funding options, business support, and entrepreneurial training.
- Valley Business Compass is your one-stop shop for a wide variety of local small business resources compiled in a single platform.
- Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center offers marketing webinars and free business start-up classes and consulting.
- USDA Rural Development Business Programs provides grants and loans for businesses in small towns like Bridgewater.
- Virginia Career Works- Shenandoah Valley Region provides businesses in our region with customized workforce assistance.
- Virginia Business One Stop helps business owners navigate the legal process of opening a new business in Virginia.
- The Virginia State Corporation Commission is the state’s central filing office for corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and Uniform Commercial Code liens.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration is a helpful federal resource for small business owners. Virginia specific information can be found here.
- Post job opening information on the Massanutten Technical Center website.