City of Clarksburg

Getting A Business License For Your New Clarksburg Business

Before you can start making money, your business will need to be licensed through the State of West Virginia and the City of Clarksburg. The following section will guide you through the process of getting an occupancy permit, a state permit, and a city permit.

A. Certificate of Occupancy

Whether your place of business is a newly constructed building or an already existing building, and if your business is located in the City limits of Clarksburg, you need to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy before you can apply for a business license. There are three steps to get a Certificate of Occupancy:

Step One

Fill out an application for the certificate at Code Enforcement Department (Room 210).

Some Information you will need for the application includes:

• Building Address
• Number of employees or occupants
• Proposed use of building
• Present or past use of building
• Amount of parking space
• Number of rooms
• Area of lot and building

If the business will be in your home that is located within the City limits of Clarksburg, you will also have to fill out a Home Occupancy Permit Form.

Step Two

Before a certificate will be issued, four inspections need to be passed. All four of the following inspections need to be scheduled by the business owner with the appropriate department. They can be performed in any order.

• Building Code Inspection, Code Enforcement.....Call 624-1633
• Fire Code Inspection, Fire Department.....Call 624-1685
• Police Code Inspection, Police Department.....Call 624-1623
• Health Code Inspection, Harrison County Health Department.....Call 623-9308

Step Three

When all inspections are approved, pay the $50 fee at the finance department's cashier's window on the first floor of City Hall.

B. Obtaining a West Virginia Business Franchise Certificate (Business License):

In West Virginia, all businesses must be licensed with the State. **Business owners must file a state application for a business license before applying for the City business license**.

Applications for the State Business Franchise Certificate can be obtained by:

• Calling the State automated form ordering number...............(304)-558-3333
• Calling the toll-free (within WV), operator assisted number .....1-800-982-8297
• Stopping by or calling the Clarksburg State Tax office .........(304)-627-2165

The initial application is free, but a $15 fee is charged for the annual renewal.

Important! Retain a copy of the application for use with the City permit.

C. Obtaining a Clarksburg Municipal Business License

Businesses in the Clarksburg City limits and contractors that plan to do projects in the City limits, need to be licensed through the City of Clarksburg's Finance Department.

Applications can be obtained at City Hall (first floor - Room 147), by calling 624-1630, or by filling out an e-mail application request form.

Applications will only be accepted with verification of obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupancy Permit, whichever is applicable. Applicants must have a valid West Virginia Business Franchise Certificate, or you may submit a copy of your application for the State certificate. The municipal license fee is based on your business activity and if your business is located within the City limits. You must have an occupancy permit.

The Municipal license is issued for a maximum term of one year expiring on June 30. The license will need to be renewed by all businesses by July 1 in order to avoid late penalty fees.

D. Industrial Waste Discharge Permit Application

Beginning in January of 2003 the Clarksburg Sanitary Board became responsible for developing and implementing an Industrial Pretreatment Program. All non-residential customers must complete an Industrial Waste Discharge Permit Application which details what is discharged from the business. More often than not, the discharge has no prohibitive components and no permit will be required. To determine this, the application must be completed and returned to the City for review.

Applications may be obtained at City Hall (first floor - Room 147), the wastewater treatment plant, Rt. 19 north, by calling 624-1630 or 624-1626, or by filling out an e-mail application request form.

•  Discharge Application (525.57 kB 2010-04-15 10:23:14)
•  Instructions for completing Waste Discharge Application (29.35 kB 2010-04-15 10:26:25)