Food Truck Permit Requirements in Huntington, 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 (ANSI-accredited certification)

   West Virginia's food establishment rule (64CSR17, adopting the 2013 FDA Food Code) requires at least one Certified Food Protection Manager for each food establishment, including food trucks and catering operations. The certificate is earned by passing an exam from an ANSI-CFP accredited provider (ServSafe, Prometric, National Registry, 360training) — the state does not issue it. Local health departments verify the certificate at inspection, and all other employees typically need a Food Handler's card from the county health department.

   Official government source

   $80–$150 (course plus proctored exam through an ANSI-accredited provider)·1–2 days

   $80–$150 (course plus proctored exam through an ANSI-accredited provider)

   1–2 days

1. City of Huntington Mobile Food Vendor Permit

   Food trucks operating in Huntington need a Mobile Food Vendor Permit from the City of Huntington Planning Department (Room 100, City Hall), not the health department. You must first hold a WV Business Registration Certificate, then add a fire inspection by the Huntington Fire Marshal (in-state vendors with a WV State Fire Marshal sticker are exempt), a Health Permit and food handler's permits from the Cabell-Huntington Health Department, and the City's $20 General Business License. In-state vendors already permitted in their county of residence are exempt from the Huntington health permit as of June 7 2024, but must give 72 hours' notice before operating in the city. Parking on metered spaces requires Municipal Parking Board approval.

   Official government source

   $50 Mobile Food Vendor Permit (Planning Department) plus the $20 City General Business License; the Cabell-Huntington Health Department permit fee is not published — call (304) 523-6483·2–4 weeks after application and inspection

   $50 Mobile Food Vendor Permit (Planning Department) plus the $20 City General Business License; the Cabell-Huntington Health Department permit fee is not published — call (304) 523-6483

   2–4 weeks after application and inspection

2. City of Huntington Finance Department — General Business License

   Huntington requires a General Business License for businesses operating within city limits. The Finance Department processes applications; a copy of the WV Business Registration Certificate is required. The license must be renewed annually (July 1-June 30) and displayed at your place of business. A Business & Occupation gross-receipts tax and a $5/week/employee City Service Fee apply separately.

   Official government source

   $20 flat annual fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $5/week/employee City Service Fee·1–3 weeks

   $20 flat annual fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $5/week/employee City Service Fee

   1–3 weeks

3. Commissary Agreement

   Mobile food units in West Virginia are generally expected to operate from an approved commissary (a licensed commercial kitchen for food prep, storage, and cleaning) under local health department food code requirements; confirm with the Cabell-Huntington Health Department whether a signed commissary agreement must be submitted with your permit application.

   Official government source

   Commissary rental cost is set by the private commissary, not a government fee - not published by the city or health department·Arranged before permit application

   Commissary rental cost is set by the private commissary, not a government fee - not published by the city or health department

   Arranged before permit application

Official Sources

• Huntington / Cabell County Health Department
• West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration

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