Event Planning Permit Requirements in Huntington, 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. Huntington General Business License

   Event planning businesses operating in Huntington must obtain a General Business License from the city's Finance Department. The application requires your business entity information, primary business address, description of services, and a copy of your WV Business Registration Certificate. If you work primarily from home coordinating events elsewhere, a Home Occupation Permit ($30) may also be required. Renewed annually (July 1-June 30).

   Official government source

   $20/year (flat fee)·1–2 weeks

   $20/year (flat fee)

   1–2 weeks

2. City of Huntington Event Application (Special Event Permit)

   Using Huntington public parks, streets, plazas or other public venues for a client's event requires an Event Application, handled through the Mayor's Office; as the planner you may file it on the client's behalf. The city's fee schedule shows no dollar charge for the Event Application itself, but requires a certificate of liability insurance naming the City of Huntington as an additional insured in venue- and route-based amounts. A Parade Permit ($500) applies if streets are closed, and a Film Permit is free. Note that Ritter Park and most large parks are run by the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District, not the city.

   Official government source

   $0 Event Application fee; a certificate of liability insurance naming the City as additional insured is required in amounts set by venue (Ritter Park route $1,000, WV5K route $1,500, Huntington Downtown $1,500, Westmoreland $500, escorts/other $200) — not a flat $1M policy. Parade Permit $500 if streets are closed.·1–3 weeks; the city publishes no fixed advance-filing deadline, so submit as early as possible and confirm date availability with the Mayor's Office

   $0 Event Application fee; a certificate of liability insurance naming the City as additional insured is required in amounts set by venue (Ritter Park route $1,000, WV5K route $1,500, Huntington Downtown $1,500, Westmoreland $500, escorts/other $200) — not a flat $1M policy. Parade Permit $500 if streets are closed.

   1–3 weeks; the city publishes no fixed advance-filing deadline, so submit as early as possible and confirm date availability with the Mayor's Office

3. Cabell County Building Permit (events outside Huntington city limits)

   Cabell County issues no temporary-use or special-event permit. The Planning and Permits Administrator (Chad Nelson, 304-526-9704, [email protected]) issues Building Permits for new development and substantial improvements in unincorporated Cabell County, plus two narrow permits — Adults Only and Dog Shelter. An outdoor event on unincorporated county land therefore needs a county permit only if you erect a structure; otherwise obligations are the property owner's, plus a Cabell-Huntington Health Department temporary food permit if food is served and county sheriff coordination for traffic. Events inside Huntington go through the City's Event Application instead.

   Official government source

   No county special-event or temporary-use permit fee — none exists. A Cabell County building permit fee applies only if a structure is built.·Not applicable unless a building permit is required

   No county special-event or temporary-use permit fee — none exists. A Cabell County building permit fee applies only if a structure is built.

   Not applicable unless a building permit is required

Official Sources

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

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