Auto Repair Shop Permit Requirements in Morgantown, 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. West Virginia DEP — Hazardous Waste Annual Certification Fee (used oil and solvents)

   Auto repair shops in West Virginia must comply with WVDEP hazardous waste rules for storing, recycling and disposing of used oil, solvents, parts-cleaner fluid, paints, acids and other automotive wastes, under WV Code Chapter 22 Article 18 and Title 33 Series 24, administered by the Division of Water and Waste Management. Facilities that manage hazardous waste pay an annual certification fee assessed by generator class; most independent repair shops fall into the Very Small Quantity Generator class (100 kg or less per month). The fee is due 1 October each year, with a 25% late charge after 15 November.

   Official government source

   $100/year Very Small Quantity Generator (≤100 kg/month); $500 Small Quantity Generator; $2,200 Large Quantity Generator; $3,000 per permitted treatment/storage/disposal facility·2–4 weeks (registration); the certification fee is billed annually, due 1 October

   $100/year Very Small Quantity Generator (≤100 kg/month); $500 Small Quantity Generator; $2,200 Large Quantity Generator; $3,000 per permitted treatment/storage/disposal facility

   2–4 weeks (registration); the certification fee is billed annually, due 1 October

1. City of Morgantown Finance Department — Municipal Business License

   Every business operating inside Morgantown city limits must hold a Municipal Business License issued by the city Finance Department (304-284-7408) and applied for through the Morgantown Access Portal. You must first hold a WV State Business Registration Certificate, and if you have a physical location in the city you must also obtain a Certificate of Occupancy ($65) before the license will issue. Licenses run on the city fiscal year and expire June 30, so renew on or before July 1. The license is separate from the city's Business & Occupation (B&O) gross-receipts tax and its municipal service fee on employees and self-employed owners working in the city.

   Official government source

   $20 flat Municipal License Fee (also $20 for non-profits), printed on the city's Municipal Business License Application; B&O tax and the municipal service fee are billed separately·1–3 weeks

   $20 flat Municipal License Fee (also $20 for non-profits), printed on the city's Municipal Business License Application; B&O tax and the municipal service fee are billed separately

   1–3 weeks

2. Monongalia County / Morgantown Zoning and Certificate of Occupancy

   Auto repair shops must operate in properly zoned commercial or industrial areas. Obtain zoning approval and a Certificate of Occupancy from Monongalia County or the City of Morgantown before opening.

   Official government source

   $65 flat fee for Certificate of Occupancy; a separate zoning verification fee (minimum $15) may also apply·2–6 weeks

   $65 flat fee for Certificate of Occupancy; a separate zoning verification fee (minimum $15) may also apply

   2–6 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Morgantown City Clerk
• West Virginia DEP — Used Oil and Hazardous Waste

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