Event Planning Permit Requirements in Charleston, WV

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if operating as a business entity (LLC or corporation) or if you have employees. Free from the IRS. You will need an EIN to open a business bank account and sign vendor contracts professionally.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. West Virginia Business Registration

   Event planning businesses operating in West Virginia must register with the West Virginia Secretary of State if operating as an LLC, corporation, or partnership (Articles of Organization/Incorporation, $100 filing fee plus a $1 online portal fee via Business4WV). Sole proprietors using a trade name must file a DBA (trade name) registration with the West Virginia Secretary of State — WV does not accept DBA filings at the county level; the filing is free for sole proprietors and $25 for LLCs/corporations registering an additional trade name. An LLC provides personal liability protection, which is especially important when coordinating large events.

   Official government source

   Free (sole proprietor DBA) to $101 (LLC/corp Articles of Organization/Incorporation + online fee)·1–7 business days (online)

   Free (sole proprietor DBA) to $101 (LLC/corp Articles of Organization/Incorporation + online fee)

   1–7 business days (online)

2. West Virginia Sales Tax Collection (authorized by the Business Registration Certificate)

   Event planning coordination services are generally not subject to West Virginia consumers sales tax, but if your business sells taxable tangible goods — event supplies, decorations, floral arrangements, rentals — you must collect and remit the 6% state sales tax plus any municipal sales tax. West Virginia does not issue a separate sales tax or seller's permit: the single $30 Business Registration Certificate issued by the WV Tax Division authorizes you to collect sales tax. Confirm the taxability of specific services with the Tax Division.

   Official government source

   No separate fee — included in the one-time $30 Business Registration Certificate·Immediate to 5 business days (online through the One Stop Business Portal)

   No separate fee — included in the one-time $30 Business Registration Certificate

   Immediate to 5 business days (online through the One Stop Business Portal)

1. Charleston General Business License

   Event planning businesses operating in Charleston must register with the Office of the City Collector and obtain a General Business License ($20 flat fee), plus pay B&O privilege tax on gross receipts and a $3/week per employee City Service Fee. If working primarily from home, note this on the same Business Registration Application. Renewed annually.

   Official government source

   $20 flat General Business License fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $3/week per employee City Service Fee·1–2 weeks

   $20 flat General Business License fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $3/week per employee City Service Fee

   1–2 weeks

2. Charleston Special Event Permit (for events in public spaces)

   Events using Charleston public parks, streets, plazas, or other public venues require coordination with the city's Special Events Coordinator, who helps identify needed permits/approvals across Parks & Recreation, Public Works, Police, and Fire. The city does not publish a set fee schedule, lead-time requirement, or insurance minimum online; confirm specific cost, required lead time, and insurance amount directly with the Special Events Coordinator ([email protected]) before the event.

   Official government source

   Not published; confirm with the Special Events Coordinator·Not published; contact the city early in planning to confirm required lead time

   Not published; confirm with the Special Events Coordinator

   Not published; contact the city early in planning to confirm required lead time

3. Kanawha County Approvals for Events Outside Charleston (no temporary use permit)

   Kanawha County issues no temporary use or special event permit. The County Commission's Department of Planning and Development (407 Virginia St East, 2nd Floor; 304-357-0570) enforces land use in unincorporated Kanawha County and publishes its complete application list: building permit, Board of Appeals, Planning Director decision appeal, subdivision approval, street closing, mobile home park, salvage yard, adult only establishment, commercial dog breeder, gas and oil well, wireless telecommunications facility and video lottery. An outdoor event on unincorporated county land therefore needs a county filing only if it involves construction or a street closing; otherwise obligations are the property owner's, plus a Kanawha-Charleston Health Department temporary food permit if food is served. Events inside Charleston go through the city's Special Events Coordinator instead.

   Official government source

   No county temporary-use or special-event permit fee — none exists. If a structure is built, the county building permit fee is $25.00 for projects up to $30,000 plus $2.50 for every $1,000 above that, and $300.00 more in a floodplain.·Not applicable unless a building permit or street closing is required

   No county temporary-use or special-event permit fee — none exists. If a structure is built, the county building permit fee is $25.00 for projects up to $30,000 plus $2.50 for every $1,000 above that, and $300.00 more in a floodplain.

   Not applicable unless a building permit or street closing is required

Official Sources

• Charleston Business Licensing
• West Virginia Secretary of State — Business Registration
• IRS EIN Application

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