Food Truck 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. 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. Monongalia County Health Department — Mobile Food Unit Permit

   Food trucks operating in Morgantown must be permitted as a Mobile Food Unit by the Monongalia County Health Department (MonCHD) Environmental Health, 304-598-5131. New units, remodels and changes of ownership go through plan review first, then a pre-opening inspection by a sanitarian. Operations must comply with WV 64CSR17, which adopts the 2013 FDA Food Code. At least one Certified Food Protection Manager is required and all employees need a current Food Handler's Card.

   Official government source

   $150 Mobile Food Unit permit plus a one-time $150 plan review (MonCHD Permit Fees and Fees for Service, FY 2026-2027)·2–4 weeks after application and inspection

   $150 Mobile Food Unit permit plus a one-time $150 plan review (MonCHD Permit Fees and Fees for Service, FY 2026-2027)

   2–4 weeks after application and inspection

2. 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

3. Commissary Agreement

   Most jurisdictions, including Monongalia County, require mobile food units to operate from an approved commissary — a licensed commercial kitchen for food prep, storage, and cleaning, per WV 64CSR17 (adopting the 2013 FDA Food Code). A signed commissary agreement must be submitted with the permit application.

   Official government source

   Commissary rental is a private market cost, not a government fee — varies by facility; confirm rates locally·Arranged before permit application

   Commissary rental is a private market cost, not a government fee — varies by facility; confirm rates locally

   Arranged before permit application

Official Sources

• Morgantown / Monongalia County Health Department
• West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration

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