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Before you open your business, determine which of the numerous local, state and federal regulations apply to you. Avoid the temptation to ignore regulatory details. Doing so may save time in the short term, but could become an obstacle as your business grows.
Starting your new West Virginia business
Below is a list of the most common requirements that affect small / new businesses. The list is by no means exhaustive, as regulations vary by industry. Consult the list below for a solid start to meeting your regulatory requirements, and then carefully investigate the additional regulations that affect your industry.
Certificate of Occupancy If you are planning on occupying a new or used building for a new business, you may have to apply for a Certificate of Occupancy from a city or county zoning department. For more information contact the county or city office in your area.
West Virginia Business Name Businesses that use a name other than the owner's must register the fictitious name with the county as required by the Trade Name Registration Act. Check for the appropriate name of the Trade Name Registration Act in your area. This does not apply to corporations doing business under their corporate name or to those practicing any profession under a partnership name.
State Registration of a Trademark Trademarks and service marks may be registered in a state for a term of ten years. For more information about Applications for Registration of Trademark or Service Mark in your state, contact your state government.
Starting a business in West Virginia
In 1861, Virginians in the northwestern part of the state defied Virginia's secession from the United States. The region chose to remain in the Union and form a new state. West Virginia was admitted into the Union in 1863, after conditions requiring the gradual emancipation of slaves had been met. The state motto is "Mountaineers are always free," and West Virginia lives up to its nickname of the "Mountain State." With an average altitude of 1,500 feet above sea level, it's the highest of any state east of the Mississippi River. For a long time, West Virginia was a leading producer of coal in North America, but many people left to pursue better employment opportunities. That trend has turned around, and now the state's economy is in a more stable condition. The capital is Charleston, and the state flower is the big rhododendron.
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