Landscaping Business Permit Requirements in Charleston, 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 for EIN (Employer Identification Number) (opens in a new tab)

   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 for West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration (opens in a new tab)

   $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 Pesticide Applicator License

   If you apply pesticides or herbicides as part of landscaping services in West Virginia, you must hold a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License from the state department of agriculture.

   Official government source for West Virginia Pesticide Applicator License (opens in a new tab)

   $20/year (license fee)·2–4 weeks

   $20/year (license fee)

   2–4 weeks

1. City of Charleston Office of the City Collector — Business Registration / General Business License

   Charleston requires businesses within city limits to register with the Office of the City Collector and obtain a General Business License (flat $20 fee), plus pay the city's Business & Occupation (B&O) privilege tax on gross receipts (rate varies by classification) and a City Service Fee of $3/week per employee working within city limits. Renewed annually and displayed at the place of business.

   Official government source for City of Charleston Office of the City Collector — Business Registration / General Business License (opens in a new tab)

   $20 flat General Business License fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $3/week per employee City Service Fee·1–3 weeks

   $20 flat General Business License fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $3/week per employee City Service Fee

   1–3 weeks

2. City of Charleston Business Registration / Contractor Registration (landscaping)

   Landscaping contractors working in Charleston register with the Office of the City Collector and take the $20 General Business License; Kanawha County does not register contractors inside the city. A separate Building Department contractor registration applies to regulated construction work and requires a current, unexpired WV state contractor license and an unexpired certificate of insurance — routine landscaping and irrigation maintenance is not a licensed WV contractor trade and generally does not trigger it, so confirm your scope with the Building Commission at (304) 348-6833. All contracting work performed in the city is subject to a 2% Business & Occupation tax.

   Official government source for City of Charleston Business Registration / Contractor Registration (landscaping) (opens in a new tab)

   $20 General Business License; the city publishes no separate contractor registration fee, and contracting work carries a 2% B&O tax on gross receipts·1–3 weeks

   $20 General Business License; the city publishes no separate contractor registration fee, and contracting work carries a 2% B&O tax on gross receipts

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Charleston Business License Division
• West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration

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