Photography Business 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

1. 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

2. City of Huntington Film / Special Event Permit (public property)

   Photographers shooting on Huntington city property normally need no permit for ordinary portrait or small-group sessions. The city issues a Film Permit at no charge for filming/photography on public property, and a Special Event (Event Application) is required only if you close streets or hold an organized public event. Most large parks in the area (including Ritter Park) are run by the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District, not the city — contact GHPRD for park use. Private venues set their own rules.

   Official government source

   $0 Film Permit; $0 Event Application fee (a certificate of liability insurance naming the City as additional insured is required, in venue/route-based amounts from $200 to $1,500); Parade Permit $500 if streets are closed·1–3 weeks

   $0 Film Permit; $0 Event Application fee (a certificate of liability insurance naming the City as additional insured is required, in venue/route-based amounts from $200 to $1,500); Parade Permit $500 if streets are closed

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Huntington City Clerk
• West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration

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