Home Bakery Permit Requirements in Charleston, WV

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration

   Before engaging in business activity in West Virginia every individual or business entity must obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the WV Tax Division (WV Code §11-12-1 et seq.), applied for through the Business for West Virginia portal at business4.wv.gov or on form BUS-APP. A separate certificate is needed for each business name and each location. The certificate is permanent — it does not expire — until the legal name, location or ownership changes, and it must be surrendered when the business stops operating in West Virginia. It also authorises you to collect the 6% state sales tax plus any municipal sales tax of up to 1%.

   Official government source

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location·1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location

   1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

2. Certified Food Protection Manager Certification (ANSI-accredited program)

   Food manager certification in West Virginia is earned through an ANSI-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager program (e.g. ServSafe, Prometric, NRFSP) — the state does not issue the credential itself; WV's Office of Environmental Health Services simply lists accredited courses. Cottage food producers selling non-potentially-hazardous foods are exempt from food establishment permitting and manager certification under WV Code §19-40, but the training is strongly recommended as a food-safety best practice. Check with your local health department before relying on an online course, since some do not accept them.

   Official government source

   $80–$150 (course and proctored exam through a private ANSI-accredited provider)·1–2 days

   $80–$150 (course and proctored exam through a private ANSI-accredited provider)

   1–2 days

1. West Virginia Cottage Food Law

   West Virginia regulates cottage foods under WV Code §19-40. Non-potentially-hazardous foods (e.g., baked goods, jams) may be produced at home and sold directly to consumers with no permit, fee, or state-set sales cap. Potentially-hazardous cottage foods require a Potentially Hazardous Cottage Food Vendor Permit from the WV Department of Agriculture (valid statewide; sales limited to within WV). Products must meet WVDA labeling standards.

   Official government source

   Free for non-potentially-hazardous foods; permit fee for potentially-hazardous cottage foods is set by WVDA legislative rule (not published online) — confirm with WVDA·1–2 weeks (if registration required)

   Free for non-potentially-hazardous foods; permit fee for potentially-hazardous cottage foods is set by WVDA legislative rule (not published online) — confirm with WVDA

   1–2 weeks (if registration required)

2. City of Charleston Office of the City Collector — Business Registration / General Business License

   Charleston requires businesses within city limits to register with the Office of the City Collector and obtain a General Business License (flat $20 fee), plus pay the city's Business & Occupation (B&O) privilege tax on gross receipts (rate varies by classification) and a City Service Fee of $3/week per employee working within city limits. Renewed annually and displayed at the place of business.

   Official government source

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

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

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• West Virginia Cottage Food Law
• City of Charleston Business License Division

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