Pressure Washing 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

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. Stormwater Discharge Compliance (no Charleston pressure-washing permit)

   Pressure washing businesses in Charleston must not discharge wash water carrying detergents, degreasers, paint chips or other contaminants into storm drains, gutters or waterways — capture the runoff and dispose of it to the sanitary sewer or a licensed facility. Neither the City of Charleston nor Kanawha County publishes a stormwater discharge permit, fee or application for pressure washing; the WV DEP's construction stormwater program applies only to land-disturbing construction of one acre or more, which is a different activity. Confirm any local requirement with Charleston Public Works before relying on this.

   Official government source for Stormwater Discharge Compliance (no Charleston pressure-washing permit) (opens in a new tab)

   No fee — no Charleston or Kanawha County pressure-washing stormwater permit is published·Not applicable — an ongoing operating obligation, with no application to file

   No fee — no Charleston or Kanawha County pressure-washing stormwater permit is published

   Not applicable — an ongoing operating obligation, with no application to file

Official Sources

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

Related Guides