Permits
Coffee and cart permits in West Virginia
To sell coffee in West Virginia, you work with your county health department for food and mobile vending permits, then add a business license and state tax registration. Pick your county below for the department that handles your area and the steps to open.
55 counties in West Virginia. 3 have a detailed permit page below. For any other county, check your ZIP and we will point you to the right health department.
Statewide rules in West Virginia
In West Virginia, food establishment permits are issued by local county health departments under the WV Dept. of Health's public health sanitation program (OEHS); mobile vendors get a statewide permit from their county of residence.
- Food & vending permits
- WV Dept. of Health OEHS, food establishment and mobile food unit permit (via county health department)
- Sales tax permit
- Sales and use tax registration, WV State Tax Dept.
- Sales tax rate
- 6% state base rateTypical combined range: 6%-7%Counties, cities, and special or transit districts add local sales tax on top, so your combined rate depends on your exact address.West Virginia Tax sales and use tax
- Food safety cards
- West Virginia follows the FDA Food Code, requiring a Certified Food Protection Manager at each establishment.
Typical license fees
West Virginia sets food service permit fees statewide in Legislative Rule 64CSR30 and county health departments issue the annual permits. All food service establishment permits expire June 30.
- Most food businesses
- About $125 a year
- Brick and mortar cafe with seats
- About $125 to $500 a year based on seating
- Pop-up or farmers market vendor
- $60 for a temporary permit up to 14 days
If the establishment also holds a liquor license from the WV Alcoholic Beverage Control Administration, an additional $125 is added to the annual fee. A 25 percent late fee applies to permits not renewed before June 30. The WV Business Registration Certificate is $30 and covers sales tax registration.
Fee schedule, last verified July 14, 2026.
Official links, last verified July 14, 2026. Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees before you apply.