Home Bakery 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 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 allows home food production under its cottage food framework. Non-potentially-hazardous foods may be sold directly to consumers within WV without a cottage food vendor permit. Potentially hazardous cottage foods (e.g., certain canned/pickled/fermented goods) require WVDA registration, a permit, and a kitchen inspection. Products must be properly labeled. (WVDA's official page does not publish a specific annual sales cap — confirm current limits directly with WVDA at [email protected].)

   Official government source

   Free for non-potentially-hazardous foods (no permit required); contact WVDA for potentially-hazardous cottage food permit fees·1–2 weeks (if registration required)

   Free for non-potentially-hazardous foods (no permit required); contact WVDA for potentially-hazardous cottage food permit fees

   1–2 weeks (if registration required)

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

Official Sources

• West Virginia Cottage Food Law
• City of Huntington City Clerk

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