West Virginia Business License

A businessman opening the office door for his employees

General Business License Requirements for West Virginia.

Business licenses are often required of business entities, regardless of their products and services. This page provides an overview of business license requirements in West Virginia.

West Virginia General Business Licenses

West Virginia Business License

Not required



General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in West Virginia.

West Virginia does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Local General Business Licenses

Town of Anmoore Business License

Agency:Town of Anmoore - Business License and Landlord Registration (WV)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application Registration

Filing Method:

Mail, Email or Online

Agency Fee:

$15

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Registration Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail, Online

Agency Fee:

$15

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Beckley Municipal License

Agency:City of Beckley Finance Department - Tax Office (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

City of Beckley Municipal License Application

Agency Fee:

$15

Required Attachments:
  • State of West Virginia Business License
  • State of West Virginia ABCA License (if applicable)
  • Lease/Rental Agreement (required for tax credit)
  • State of West Virginia State Sales Tax Number

Registration Renewal

Form:

City of Beckley Municipal License Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$15

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Required Attachments:
  • State of West Virginia Business License
  • State of West Virginia ABCA License (if applicable)
  • Lease/Rental Agreement (required for tax credit)
  • State of West Virginia State Sales Tax Number

Bethlehem Business License

Agency:Village of Bethlehem B&O Tax / Licensing Department (WV)

Initial Registration

Agency Fee:

$10

Notes:

Application forms are available upon request. Call or email the city to obtain an application.

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$10

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Notes:

Renewal forms are available upon request. Call or email the city to obtain an application.

Bridgeport Municipal Registration Certificate

Agency:City of Bridgeport Business Tax & Licensing (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

Municipal Registration Certificate Application

Agency Fee:

$15

Required Attachments:
  • A copy of your West Virginia Business Registration Certificate
  • A copy of your West Virginia Contractor’s License (if applicable)

Registration Renewal

Form:

Municipal Registration Certificate Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$15

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Required Attachments:
  • A copy of your West Virginia Business Registration Certificate
  • A copy of your West Virginia Contractor’s License (if applicable)

City of Charleston Business License

Agency:City of Charleston Office of the City Collector (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Registration Application

Agency Fee:

$20 Additional fees for selling alcohol and street vending listed on the application form.

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$20

Due:

Annually by July 1.

Clarksburg Municipal License

Agency:City of Clarksburg Finance Department (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

Municipal License Application

Agency Fee:

$20

Required Attachments:
  • A copy of your West Virginia State Tax Department Business Registration Certificate
  • A copy of your West Virginia State Contractor's License (if applicable)

Registration Renewal

Form:

Municipal License Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$20

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Required Attachments:
  • A copy of your West Virginia State Tax Department Business Registration Certificate
  • A copy of your West Virginia State Contractor's License (if applicable)

Elkins Business License

Agency:City of Elkins Finance Department (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

Municipal License Application

Agency Fee:

$20

Registration Renewal

Form:

Municipal License Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$20

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Fairmont Business License

Agency:City of Fairmont Finance Department - Business License Clerk (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application 

Filing Method:

In person. 

Agency Fee:

Fee assessed on type of business. 

Pay online. 

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. 

Due:

Annually by June 30th. 

Approximately 45 days before the expiration date of your license certificate, you will be mailed a renewal package.

Glen Dale Business License

Agency:City of Glen Dale Business Licensing (WV)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

In-person

Agency Fee:

$15

Notes:

Contact the city for a license application.

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$15

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Notes:

Renewal applications are sent in the mail.

City of Granville Business License

Agency:City of Granville - Recorder's Office (WV)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or e-mail

Agency Fee:

$15 license fee. Additional fees vary based on the nature of the business.

Required Attachments:
  • West Virginia Business Registration Certificate

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail or e-mail

Agency Fee:

$15 license fee. Additional fees vary based on the nature of the business. 

Due:

Annually by June 30

Required Attachments:
  • West Virginia Business Registration Certificate

City of Granville Contractor License

Agency:City of Granville - Recorder's Office (WV)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Contractor License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or e-mail

Agency Fee:

$90 license fee

Required Attachments:
  • West Virginia Business Registration Certificate
  • West Virginia Contractor's License

Registration Renewal

Form:

Contractor License Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail or e-mail

Agency Fee:

$90 license fee

Due:

Annually by June 30

Penalties:

$25 late fee

Required Attachments:
  • West Virginia Business Registration Certificate
  • West Virginia Contractor's License

Huntington Business License

Agency:City of Huntinton Finance Division (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application

Agency Fee:

$20; Additional fees based on business type listed on the application form.

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$20; Additional fees based on business type listed on the application form.

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Notes:

A business license renewal will be sent out around the first of June each year.

City of Hurricane Business License

Agency:City of Hurricane (WV)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Applicaiton

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$20

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewals are mailed out in April.

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$20

Due:

Annually by June 30.

City of Martinsburg Contractor Business License

Agency:City of Martinsburg License Clerk (WV)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

The prorated license fees for new businesses are as follows:

  • July: $15.00
  • August: $13.75
  • September: $12.50
  • October: $11.25
  • November: $10.00
  • December: $8.75
  • January: $7.50
  • February: $6.25
  • March: $5.00
  • April: $3.75
  • May: $2.50
  • June: $1.25

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$15

Due:

Licenses expire on June 30 of each year and must be renewed by July 31.

Notes:

Renewal notices with instructions will be mailed to the licensees prior to the expiration of the license.

Martinsburg Business License

Agency:City of Martinsburg License Clerk (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

The prorated license fees for new businesses are as follows:

  • July: $15.00
  • August: $13.75
  • September: $12.50
  • October: $11.25
  • November: $10.00
  • December: $8.75
  • January: $7.50
  • February: $6.25
  • March: $5.00
  • April: $3.75
  • May: $2.50
  • June: $1.25

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$15

Due:

Licenses expire on June 30 of each year and must be renewed by July 31.

Notes:

Renewal forms are mailed to licensees prior to the expiration date.

City of Milton Business License

Agency:City of Milton (WV)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail or Email

Agency Fee:

$15 (Can be paid online HERE)

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal will be mailed or emailed

Filing Method:

Mail or Email

Agency Fee:

$15 per Year (Can be paid online HERE)

Due:

Annually by June 30.

City of Morgantown Municipal Business License

Agency:City of Morgantown - Finance Department (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

Fillable Municipal Business License Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:
  • $20 license fee
  • Beer, Wine, and Liquor fees vary; see the application for a fee schedule
  • Additional fees vary based on the nature of the business and estimated gross receipts
Required Attachments:
  • West Virginia Business Registration Certificate
    • If West Virginia does not issue a registration certificate for the relevant business type, attach confirmation from the State Tax Department with a written explanation
  • West Virginia Contractor's License, if applicable
  • West Virginia ABCA License, if applicable
  • Certificate of Occupancy, if applicable

Registration Renewal

Form:

Fillable Municipal Business License Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:
  • $20 license fee
  • Beer, Wine, and Liquor fees vary; see the application for a fee schedule.
  • Additional fees vary based on the nature of the business and annual gross receipts
Due:

Annually by July 1

Required Attachments:
  • West Virginia Business Registration Certificate
    • If West Virginia does not issue a registration certificate for the relevant business type, attach confirmation from the State Tax Department with a written explanation
  • West Virginia Contractor's License, if applicable
  • West Virginia ABCA License, if applicable
  • Certificate of Occupancy, if applicable

New Martinsville City License

Agency:City of New Martinsville Building Department (WV)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

City License Application

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business type. See fee schedule on application.

Registration Renewal

Form:

City License Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business type. See application for fee schedule.

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Nitro Municipal License

Agency:Nitro City Hall (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

Municipal License Application

Agency Fee:

Fees depend on business activities. 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Municipal License Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

Fees depend on business activities. 

Due:

Annually by July 1.

City of Philippi Business License

Agency:City of Philippi (WV)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Fees are determinted by business type.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal form will be mailed in June

Agency Fee:

Fees are determinted by business type.

Due:

Annually by June 30th.

Princeton Business License

Agency:City of Princeton Finance Department - License and Tax Auditor (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application 

Filing Method:

Mail. 

Agency Fee:

Dependant on business type. See Fee Schedule

Due:

 Each license issued prior to January 1 of any license year shall be charged for the full rate and each license issued on or after January 1 shall be charged for at one-half of the full rate.

 

Law:

(1975 Code Sec. 10-4)

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

 Business Fee Type +B&O Tax (Due each quarter)

B&O Tax : based upon gross sales/service. 

Due:

Annually by July 1.

 

City of Ranson Municipal Business License

Agency:City of Ranson Department of Finance (WV)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for a Municipal Business License

Agency Fee:

Fees vary by business type. See application for details.

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

Fees vary by business type. See application for details.

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Notes:

A new license number is issued each year upon renewal.

Town of Ridgeley Business License

Agency:Town of Ridgeley City Hall (WV)

Initial Registration

Agency Fee:

Fees depend on business activities.

Notes:

Application forms are available upon request. Contact the town to obtain an application.

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

Fees depend on business activities.

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Notes:

Renewal forms are sent to licensees prior to the expiration date.

St. Albans Municipal License

Agency:St. Albans City Clerk / Treasurer’s Office (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

Municipal Business License Form

Agency Fee:

$15

Registration Renewal

Form:

Municipal Business License Form (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$15

Due:

Annually by June 30.

City of South Charleston Business License

Agency:City of South Charleston Department of Finance and Administration (WV)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business type.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Sent via mail by late April/early Mary each year.

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business type.

Due:

Due prior to June 30th.

Spencer Business License

Agency:City of Spencer Office of the Mayor (WV)

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

In-person

Agency Fee:

$15

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$15

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Notes:

Renewal forms are sent in the mail prior to the expiration date.

Vienna Business License

Agency:City of Vienna Finance Department (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application

Agency Fee:

$5

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$5

Due:

Annually by June 30.

City of Weirton Business License

Agency:City of Weirton - Inspections & Code Enforcement (WV)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application

Filing Method:

Mail, e-mail, or in-person

Agency Fee:

Fees vary based on the nature of the business. A fee schedule is located on the second page of the business license application. 

Required Attachments:
  • West Virginia Business Registration Certificate
  • West Virginia Contractor's License, if applicable
  • West Virginia ABCA License, if applicable

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail, e-mail, or in-person

Agency Fee:

Fees vary based on the nature of the business. A fee schedule is located on the second page of the business license application.

Due:

Annually by December 31

Penalties:

A penalty of 10% of the total amount due will be assessed for each month the fee remains unpaid

Required Attachments:
  • West Virginia Business Registration Certificate
  • West Virginia Contractor's License, if applicable
  • West Virginia ABCA License, if applicable

Welch Business License

Agency:City of Welch Commerce (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application 

Filing Method:

Mail. 

Agency Fee:

Annual License Fee by business type +B&O quarterly tax. 

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online. 

Agency Fee:

Anually business type fee + B&O quarterly fee. 

Due:

Annually by July 31st.

B&O quaretly :    1st Quarter: January 1 - March 31, 2nd Quarter: April 1 - June 30, 3rd Quarter: July 1 - September 30, 4th Quarter: October 1 - December 31.

Penalties:

5% penalty. 

City of Wheeling General Business License

Agency:City of Wheeling Finance Department (WV)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application Form

Agency Fee:

$15

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$15

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Town of White Hall Business Registration

Agency:Town of White Hall - Administrative Office (WV)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:
  • $125 registration fee (all businesses)
  • $0.0175/sq. ft. fire fee, if applicable
  • $150 Beer License, if applicable
  • $150 Wine License, if applicable
  • $125 Travern, if applicable
  • $500 Private Club, if applicable
  • $1000 Liquor Store Outlet, if applicable
Notes:

Payments can be submitted online.

Required Attachments:
  • West Virginia Business Registration Certificate
  • IRS Form W-9
  • West Virginia Contractor's License, if applicable
  • West Virginia ABCA License, if applicable

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business Registration Application (Renewal)

If there are no changes to the business registration and there has not been a lapse in coverage, a renewal application is not required to be submitted alongside the payment of the annual fee. 

Agency Fee:
  • $125 registration fee (all businesses)
  • $0.0175/sq. ft. fire fee, if applicable
  • $150 Beer License, if applicable
  • $150 Wine License, if applicable
  • $125 Travern, if applicable
  • $500 Private Club, if applicable
  • $1000 Liquor Store Outlet, if applicable
Due:

Annually by July 1

Notes:

Payments can be made online.

City of Winfield Business License

Agency:City of Winfield (WV)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

License Fee of $90.00 plus Business Type fee

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal is mailed about a month prior to renewal

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Fee is dependent on business type.

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Greenbrier County Business License

Not required



General Business License licensure is not required on the County level in Greenbrier County.

Learn about general business licensing requirements in other states: