Bolthole Index

Cabell County, West Virginia

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Cabell County, West Virginia

56Index Score / 100
#47 of 55 in West Virginia

Cabell County, West Virginia requires building permits for all new development and substantial improvements of existing structures, including mobile homes, and the county's Planning & Permits Office takes applications through an online portal12. Zoning appears to apply only inside the City of Huntington, not countywide34. Septic permits for every site come from the Cabell-Huntington Health Department, or the site needs proof of a sewer tap56.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for all new development and substantial improvements, including mobile homes, cell towers and solar1
Zoning
Appears to be none countywide; the City of Huntington has its own zoning ordinance37
Septic permit
Cabell-Huntington Health Department issues the construction permit after evaluating the site85
Owner-builder exemption
Owners performing their own work are exempt from contractor licensure, but still need the building permit9
Well permit
Required from the local health department before drilling, modifying or abandoning a well10
Driveway on a state highway
Free encroachment permit required from the Division of Highways11
Floodplain development
Permit required; Cabell County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program12
Nearest city of 100,000+
About 116 miles away13

Who to call

Building permits

Cabell County Planning & Permits Office

Building permits for new construction, additions, mobile homes, cell towers and solar installations in Cabell County

304-526-9704

cnelson@cabellcounty.org

Septic permits

Cabell-Huntington Health Department - Environmental Health

On-site sewage (septic) system permits, installer coordination, and home-loan sewage evaluations for Cabell County

(304) 523-6483

703 7th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

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Do you need a building permit in Cabell County, West Virginia?

Yes. Cabell County requires a building permit for all new development and substantial improvements of existing structures, including mobile homes1. Cell-tower modifications, co-location work and solar-panel installations also require county building permits and supporting plans1. Applications need a site plan and plans for the structure at submission, and are submitted through the county's Building Permit Application Portal2. West Virginia's owner exemption lets a property owner or occupant personally perform construction without a contractor's license, but it does not waive an applicable building permit, building code, inspection or certificate-of-occupancy requirement14. Buildings used primarily for agricultural purposes are exempt from the State Building Code and an adopted county or municipal building code, so a farm structure may be treated differently from a house15.

Who is the Cabell County building department, and how do you reach them?

The Cabell County Planning & Permits Office handles building-permit applications; call 304-526-9704 or email cnelson@cabellcounty.org with questions16. Applications and supporting documents can be submitted through the county's online Building Permit Application Portal16. Before applying, determine how the site will handle sewage: Cabell County requires either septic-system approval from the Cabell-Huntington Health Department or proof of a sewer tap when sewer service is available6. The county material does not identify the adopted building code, inspection schedule, permit fees or any county certificate-of-occupancy rule, so ask the Planning & Permits Office about those items for your project16. The State Fire Marshal's general fire-and-life-safety inspection mandate excludes one- and two-family dwellings17.

Does Cabell County have zoning?

Cabell County appears to have no countywide zoning ordinance, while the City of Huntington has adopted a zoning ordinance that regulates land use inside city limits37. In Huntington, most types of development need planning and zoning review, and some uses also need conditional-use review by the Board of Zoning Appeals7. Septic permits and well permits in the city still come from the Cabell-Huntington Health Department, not the city's planning office1819. West Virginia allows a county zoning ordinance to cover all or only part of a county, and municipal zoning is separate from county zoning20. The available county information does not confirm parcel-specific rules for residential RV use, tiny-home occupancy, setbacks, minimum dwelling size or minimum lot size. Ask the Cabell County Planning & Permits Office which rules apply to an unincorporated parcel, and check with the relevant city if the property is inside municipal limits16. For a proposed split or development, also ask whether a local subdivision and land-development ordinance applies because West Virginia law leaves the actual approval process to local ordinances and planning commissions21.

How do septic permits work in Cabell County?

On-site sewage systems in Cabell County go through the Cabell-Huntington Health Department8. A certified installer performs a percolation test and site evaluation, and the property owner or installer submits the application5. The health department evaluates the proposed site and issues the construction permit after approval8. After construction or repair is complete, the installer must contact the health department for a final inspection before covering the system; the sanitarian checks the work against the approved construction plan22. Soils make early evaluation worthwhile: only about 3% of Cabell County soils are rated free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, and about 18% of county land has a slope of 15% or less2324. If sewer service is available instead, the building-permit file needs proof of a sewer tap6. A private well requires a permit from the local health department before drilling, modifying or abandoning it, and the well must be drilled by a licensed well driller10. The health department states there is no fee for its services in Cabell County, though its lab charges $15 per water sample plus a $5 handling fee25.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Cabell County?

Cabell County has no countywide zoning ordinance, but that does not answer whether long-term RV living or tiny-home occupancy is allowed on a particular parcel3. The available county information does not confirm residential RV, temporary-camping or tiny-home occupancy rules, so ask the Planning & Permits Office how it classifies the proposed unit and use16. A mobile home counts as a new structure under the county's permit rule and therefore requires a building permit1. Any building-permit site also needs health-department septic approval or proof of an available sewer tap6. Do not assume that a small footprint, wheels or the absence of countywide zoning removes those permit and sanitation steps.

Building a home in Cabell County: the steps, in order

  1. Contact the Cabell County Planning & Permits Office at 304-526-9704 and confirm the documents, fees and inspections for the project16.
  2. Determine whether sewer is available; the permit site needs proof of a sewer tap when service is available, or health-department approval for septic6.
  3. For septic, choose a certified installer for the percolation test and obtain the Cabell-Huntington Health Department construction permit after site approval826.
  4. If a driveway will connect to a state highway, obtain a free Division of Highways encroachment permit before construction11.
  5. Obtain WVDEP stormwater authorization if the project disturbs one acre or more, including a smaller site within a larger common development plan27.
  6. Submit the county building-permit application with a site plan and plans for the structure1.
  7. After septic construction or repair, arrange the required health-department final inspection before the system is covered22.

What to check before you buy land in Cabell County

Make septic feasibility a purchase contingency: only about 3% of Cabell County soils are rated free of severe limits for a conventional drain field23. Confirm whether public sewer is available, because the later building-permit file must show either an available sewer tap or health-department septic approval6. If the property already has septic and a lender requests a home-loan sewage evaluation, the health department requires the home to have been occupied for the last 30 consecutive days and the tank not pumped within the last 30 days; the tank must be pumped if that has not occurred within the last three years26. Verify whether the parcel is within Huntington or another municipality before relying on the countywide zoning answer320. Check mapped floodplain status and ask the local floodplain permit officer about development approval before grading, filling, excavation or a stream crossing12. Typical property tax is about 0.6% of value, with a median annual bill near $9892829.

Watch-outs

  • Cabell County appears to have no countywide zoning ordinance, but mobile homes, cell-tower work and solar installations still require building permits31.
  • A home-loan sewage evaluation from the health department requires the home to have been occupied for the last 30 consecutive days and the septic tank not pumped within the last 30 days, so a vacant or just-pumped property can delay a financed purchase26.
  • West Virginia's owner-builder exemption only removes the contractor-licensure requirement; it does not waive an applicable building permit, building code or inspection14.

Sources

  1. Permits, quoted and re-checked
  2. Permits - Cabell County, quoted and re-checked
  3. Cabell County - Ordinances (2026 county census)
  4. Planning and Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  5. Sewage, quoted and re-checked
  6. cabellcounty.org, quoted and re-checked
  7. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  8. Sewage, quoted and re-checked
  9. West Virginia Code §30-42-6. Necessity for license; exemptions (2026 county census)
  10. cabellhealth.org, quoted and re-checked
  11. Encroachment Permits (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Floodplain Permits (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data
  14. West Virginia Code §30-42-6. Necessity for license; exemptions (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. West Virginia Code §15A-11-5, Promulgation of rules and statewide building code (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Cabell County Planning & Permits Office (cabellcounty.org)
  17. Fire & Life Safety Inspections (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Sewage - Cabell-Huntington Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  19. Sewage - Cabell-Huntington Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  20. West Virginia Code §8A-7-1. Authority for zoning ordinance (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. West Virginia Code §8A-4-2. Contents of subdivision and land development ordinance. (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Sewage, quoted and re-checked
  23. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Sewage - Cabell-Huntington Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  26. Cabell-Huntington Health Department - Environmental Health (cabellhealth.org)
  27. Construction Stormwater General Permit (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 10, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like 5 of its 6 neighbors, Cabell County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleCabell CountyLincoln CountyPutnam CountyWayne CountyMason CountyBoone CountyKanawha County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredRequiredRequired
County zoningNoNoYesNoNoNot publishedYes
Septic permitsCabell-Huntington Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.Not publishedCounty Health Dept.County Health Dept.Kanawha-Charleston Health Dept.

County locator

Cabell County in West Virginia

56
County map
Cabell County highlighted among the West Virginia counties · colored by Index score

How Cabell County scores

Seclusion38100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency53100% ev.
Admin Boringness63100% ev.
Durability68100% ev.
Property Autonomy26100% ev.
Carry Cost82100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$172kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$5,367Land / acre
45.2"Annual rain
1.7% of yrsSevere drought
5.1 / yr (+5)Mid-century 100°F days
11.7 daysMid-century dry spell
1.6" (+7.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.96×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,275Home insurance / yr
-0.2% / yrInsurance growth
0.58%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
144,082People within 30 min
1,548,930People within 2 hr
136,876Radius comparison (15 mi)
327.7People / sq mi
0.8%Federal land
17.6%Land at 15% slope or less
3%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
4,045 acWorkable land screen
88.1%Wooded land
67 tonsBiomass / forest ac
55.7°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Cabell County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Answers from the rulebook for Cabell County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Cabell County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New development and substantial improvements of existing structures in Cabell County; the page also states that new structures include mobile homes.

    • A site plan and plans for the structure must be included when submitting the application.
    • All sites must have septic system approval through the Cabell Huntington Health Department or proof of a sewer tap if service is available.
    • Cell tower modifications and co-location require a building permit and must include plans, structural analysis, a specified contractor, and a West Virginia contractor license copy.
    • Solar panel installations require a building permit, a permit plan set and specifications, and a West Virginia contractor license copy.
    “Building Permits are required for all new development and substantial improvements of existing structures.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — All new development and substantial improvements of existing structures handled through Cabell County permits; new structures include mobile homes, and cell-tower modifications, co-location, and solar-panel installations are separately identified as requiring permits.
      “Building Permits are required for all new development and substantial improvements of existing structures.”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    On-site sewage systems in Cabell County served by the Cabell-Huntington Health Department.

    • The county permit page requires septic approval through the health department or proof of a sewer tap if service is available.
    • The health department page identifies state sewage rules and design standards as applicable.
    “Once the sanitarian has approved the site, a construction permit for the new system, modification or repair will be issued by the health department.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Local (with conditions) — On-site sewage systems serving properties in the Cabell-Huntington Health Department service area.
      “Once the sanitarian has approved the site, a construction permit for the new system, modification or repair will be issued by the health department.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New, modified, or repaired on-site sewage systems in Cabell County within the Cabell-Huntington Health Department service area.

    • A certified installer must perform a percolation test and evaluate the site.
    • The homeowner/property owner and/or certified installer must submit an on-site sewage system application to the health department.
    • A sanitarian must evaluate the proposed site and approve it before the construction permit is issued.
    • Construction or repair may begin only after the health department issues the construction permit.
    • If construction requires a modification to the approved plan, the installer must contact the health department before continuing.
    • The certified installer must contact the health department for a final inspection after construction or repair and before the system is covered up.
    “a construction permit for the new system, modification or repair will be issued”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Installation of a new on-site sewage system, modification of an existing system, or repair of a failing system.
      “Once the sanitarian has approved the site, a construction permit for the new system, modification or repair will be issued by the health department. The certified installer may begin construction/repair of the system at that time.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Completion inspection of new, modified, or repaired on-site sewage systems.

    • The installer must contact the health department for a final inspection after construction or repair and before the system is covered.
    • The sanitarian evaluates whether the system was installed correctly and according to the approved construction plan.
    “When construction/repair of the system is finished, but before the system is covered up, the certified installer must contact the health department for a final inspection.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Completed new, modified, or repaired on-site sewage systems.
      “When construction/repair of the system is finished, but before the system is covered up, the certified installer must contact the health department for a final inspection.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Drilling, modifying, or abandoning individual water wells in Cabell County within the Cabell-Huntington Health Department service area.

    • A permit must be obtained from the local health department before drilling, modifying, or abandoning the well.
    • Individual water wells must be drilled by licensed well drillers.
    “must apply and obtain a permit from their Local Health Department”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Drilling, modifying, or abandoning an existing water well in Cabell County.
      “Residents of West Virginia who want to have a well drilled, or who wish to modify or abandon an existing well, must apply and obtain a permit from their Local Health Department prior to drilling, modifying, or abandoning the well.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Sites associated with new development and substantial improvements in Cabell County.

    • The site must have septic-system approval through the Cabell Huntington Health Department, or proof of a sewer tap if sewer service is available.
    “All sites must have septic system approval through the Cabell Huntington Health Department or proof of a sewer tap if service is available.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Sewage-system and related water-sample services administered by the Cabell-Huntington Health Department for Cabell County.

    • The health department states there is no fee for services in Cabell County.
    • The Office of Laboratory Services charges $15 per water sample for bacteriological analysis.
    • The Office of Laboratory Services charges a $5 handling fee.

    bacteriological water sample: per 15 USD per water sample · handling fee: 5 USD

    “There is no fee for services in Cabell County, however, the Office of Laboratory Services charges $15 per water sample for bacteriological analysis and a $5 handling fee.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Cabell County building-permit applications for new development and substantial improvements of existing structures.

    • Building permit applications must include a site plan and plans for the structure at submission.
    • All sites must have septic system approval through the Cabell-Huntington Health Department or proof of a sewer tap if service is available.
    • New structures include mobile homes.
    • Cell tower modifications and co-location require a building permit, with plans, a structural analysis, a specified contractor, and a copy of the West Virginia contractor license.
    • Solar panel installations require a building permit, with a permit plan set, project specifications, and a copy of the West Virginia contractor license.
    • Applications and related documents should be submitted through the Building Permit Application Portal.
    “Applications and related documents should be submitted through our Building Permit Application Portal”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Cabell County's official ordinance list includes a floodplain ordinance and unsafe-structure ordinance but no county-wide zoning ordinance; zoning applies within the City of Huntington.

    Cabell County - Ordinances ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

West Virginia rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable

    A property owner or occupant personally performing construction work on a structure, for purposes of exemption from West Virginia contractor licensure.

    • The exemption concerns contractor licensure and does not itself waive any applicable building permit, State Building Code, State Fire Code, inspection, or certificate-of-occupancy requirement.
    • The statute separately exempts work personally performed by an owner or lessee on property whose primary use is agricultural or farming enterprise.
    • If the owner hires another person to perform the work for compensation, the hired person may be subject to contractor licensure requirements and building-permit prerequisites.
    “Except as otherwise provided in this code, the following are exempt from licensure: [...] Work personally performed on a structure by the owner or occupant thereof;”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    West Virginia's State Building Code framework and its application in counties and municipalities that adopt the code.

    • The State Building Code has force and effect in counties and municipalities adopting it; it is not automatically applicable statewide solely by state promulgation.
    • A county or municipality may adopt the code only prospectively, not retroactively.
    • Buildings or structures utilized primarily for agricultural purposes are exempt from the State Building Code, the State Fire Code, and any adopted county or municipal building code or ordinance such as the ICC International Property Maintenance Code.
    • If another state law, county or municipal ordinance, or agency regulation imposes a more stringent or higher standard and is not inconsistent with West Virginia law or contrary to recognized standards and good engineering practices, that provision governs.
    • Enforcement is the responsibility of the respective local jurisdiction.
    • The active State Building Code rule is West Virginia Code of State Rules 87-04, effective August 1, 2022.

    effective date: 2022-08-01

    “The rules shall be in accordance with standard safe practices so embodied in widely recognized standards of good practice for building construction and all aspects related thereto and have force and effect in those counties and municipalities adopting the State Building Code: Provided, That each county or municipality may adopt the code to the extent that it is only prospective and not retroactive in its application; Provided, however, That buildings or structures utilized primarily for agricultural purposes shall be exempt from the provisions of the State Building Code, the State Fire Code, and any county or municipal building code or ordinance that is or may be adopted, such as the ICC International Property Maintenance Code.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Fire and life-safety inspections by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal for occupancies subject to the State Fire Code.

    • The State Fire Marshal inspection mandate excludes one- and two-family dwellings.
    • The State Fire Marshal may enter dwelling houses during construction and before occupancy to determine compliance with conditions of permits or licenses issued by the State Fire Marshal.
    • State Fire Code exemptions include buildings used wholly as dwelling houses for no more than two families and buildings used primarily for agricultural purposes, subject to the stated farm-structure exceptions for group sleeping, health care, or detention/correctional occupancy.
    “The State Fire Marshal shall inspect all structures and facilities, other than one- and two-family dwelling houses, subject to the State Fire Code and this article, including, but not limited to, state, county, and municipally owned institutions, all public and private schools, health care facilities, theaters, churches, and other places of public assembly to determine whether the structures or facilities are in compliance with the State Fire Code.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    A new building, an existing Industrial or Storage occupancy, or an existing building in which 50% or more of the space has been renovated or reconstructed, when covered by the West Virginia State Fire Code.

    • The certificate of occupancy must be obtained before the building is occupied or used for its intended purpose.
    • The certificate may involve the State Fire Marshal’s Office and is not limited to issuance by that office alone.
    • The State Fire Code does not apply to buildings used wholly as dwelling houses for no more than two families or buildings used primarily for agricultural purposes, except farm structures used for group sleeping accommodations for farm workers or for health care or detention/correctional occupancy.
    • Where applicable, projects must be designed by a licensed architect or professional engineer and obtain review approval from the Authority Having Jurisdiction before construction or the covered renovation/reconstruction.
    • After January 1, 2025, owners or occupants applying for a final inspection or certificate of occupancy must submit plan-review documents electronically.

    renovated or reconstructed space threshold: >= 50 percent (Existing building; the rule also covers every new building and existing Industrial and Storage occupancies.) · plan review completion period: <= 45 days (The Authority Having Jurisdiction must notify deficiencies; the owner or occupant has 10 days to submit additional documentation, and the AHJ has 10 days to complete review once requirements are met.) · electronic filing requirement effective date: 2025-01-01 (Applies to documents submitted for final inspection or certificate of occupancy.)

    “The owner or occupant of a new building, existing Industrial and Storage occupancies, or an existing building that has had 50% or more of the space renovated or reconstructed, shall obtain a certificate of occupancy including but not be limited to the State Fire Marshal’s Office alone, before the building is occupied or used for its intended purpose.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    West Virginia zoning ordinances and zoning district maps adopted by county or municipal governing bodies.

    • West Virginia law permits counties and municipalities to enact zoning ordinances; it does not provide a single statewide district map in the cited sources.
    • A county zoning ordinance may cover the entire county or only parts of it.
    • A municipality's zoning ordinance covers its entire jurisdiction.
    • Zoning boundaries and classifications must be shown on a zoning district map.
    • Certified maps must be filed with the applicable governing body, planning commission, and county clerk.
    • The cited sources do not identify the actual district names or maps for each county or municipality.
    “The boundaries of each zone and the designated classifications must be shown on a zoning district map. The boundaries may only be changed after appropriate public hearing and zoning district map changes are adopted by the governing body.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — West Virginia's statewide zoning-enabling framework; actual zoning districts and maps are established by individual county or municipal ordinances rather than by a statewide zoning map.
      “The governing body of a municipality or a county may regulate land use within its jurisdiction by: (1) Adopting a comprehensive plan; (2) Working with the planning commission and the public to develop a zoning ordinance; and (3) Enacting a zoning ordinance.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Subdivision and land-development ordinances adopted by applicable West Virginia governing bodies and administered through applicable planning commissions.

    • The cited statute requires local subdivision and land-development ordinances to include lot-size standards but does not establish a single statewide numeric minimum lot size.
    • Actual requirements may vary by local ordinance, zoning district, subdivision type, or applicable exemption.
    • The statute also provides for waivers from minimum standards.

    lot-size regulation: Subdivision and land-development ordinances must include standards for lot sizes. (Local standards and waivers may apply.)

    “The standards for setback requirements, lot sizes”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Subdivision and land-development ordinances adopted by applicable West Virginia governing bodies and administered through applicable planning commissions.

    • The cited statute requires local subdivision and land-development ordinances to include setback standards but does not establish a single statewide numeric setback.
    • Actual requirements may vary by local ordinance, zoning district, subdivision type, or applicable exemption.
    • The statute provides a process for waivers from minimum standards.

    setback regulation: Subdivision and land-development ordinances must include standards for setback requirements. (Local standards and waivers may apply.)

    “A subdivision and land development ordinance shall include the following provisions: [...] The standards for setback requirements, lot sizes, streets, sidewalks, walkways, parking, easements, rights-of-way, drainage, utilities, infrastructure, curbs, gutters, street lights, fire hydrants, storm water management and water and wastewater facilities; [...] The process for granting waivers from the minimum standards of the subdivision and land development ordinance;”
  • Building heightDistrict specific

    West Virginia authorizes county and municipal governing bodies to regulate building height through zoning ordinances; the actual height limits, if any, are established locally and may apply by zone or district.

    • A county zoning ordinance may cover the county’s entire jurisdiction or only parts of it.
    • A municipality’s zoning ordinance covers its entire jurisdiction.
    • The cited state provisions authorize height regulation but do not establish a statewide numeric height limit.
    • Overlay districts and special design districts may impose additional development standards.
    • Factory-built-home standards may not be more restrictive than standards for site-built homes.
    • Floodplain zoning may regulate the height of floor levels above base flood elevation.
    “(8) Regulating the height, area, bulk, use and architectural features of buildings, including reasonable exterior architectural features and reasonable aesthetic standards for factory-built homes;”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    HUD-compliant factory-built homes, including manufactured homes, used as housing statewide in West Virginia.

    • The factory-built home standards, prototypes, subsystems, materials, and components must be certified acceptable by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.
    • Municipal and county land-use ordinances and regulations may apply, but must uniformly apply design standards and associated review and permitting procedures to factory-built and other single-family constructed homes.
    • Construction and installation must comply with applicable flood-zone requirements, including 44 C.F.R. §60.3(1976), and any applicable statute or rule relating to building in a flood zone.
    “(a) Notwithstanding any existing provisions of law, municipal or county ordinance or state building code, the standards for factory-built homes, housing prototypes, subsystems, materials and components certified as acceptable by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development are considered acceptable and are approved for use in housing construction in this state. [...] (c) A governing body of a municipality or a county, when enacting any ordinance or regulation for the purposes of regulating the subdivision, development and use of land, shall uniformly apply such design standards and associated review and permitting procedures for factory-built and other single-family constructed homes. [...] (d) Factory-built homes, like other types of homes, shall be constructed and installed in conformity with the requirements of 44 C.F.R. §60.3(1976) and any applicable statute or rule relating to building in a flood zone.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Occupancy of a factory-built home site within a West Virginia factory-built home rental community.
      “However, nothing in this article prohibits a landlord from prescribing reasonable requirements governing, as a condition of occupancy, the style, size or quality of the factory-built home, or other structures placed on the factory-built home site.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    At least one accessory dwelling unit by right on a lot or parcel containing a single-family dwelling within a West Virginia municipality, subject to the statutory definition and applicable regulatory requirements.

    • The accessory dwelling unit must be self-contained and independently accessed, be on the same parcel as a larger single-family dwelling, and include cooking, sleeping, and sanitation facilities.
    • The unit may be attached, detached, or internal to the single-family dwelling.
    • An attached or detached unit may not exceed 75 percent of the single-family dwelling's gross floor area or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less.
    • The municipality may impose applicable fire, building, construction, zoning, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
    • A municipality may require a water-system and sewer-system will-serve letter, or Department of Health approval where municipal or private water or sewer service is unavailable.
    • A municipality may charge an application-review fee up to $250 per accessory dwelling unit, in addition to usual building fees.
    • The statutory restrictions apply to policies, regulations, or ordinances in effect on or after January 1, 2027, and conflicting provisions are invalid to the extent of the conflict.
    • The statute does not regulate short-term rentals and does not supersede applicable regulatory requirements.

    maximum detached or attached ADU size: <= 75 percent of primary dwelling gross floor area (The alternative cap is 1,000 square feet, and the lesser limit controls.) · maximum detached or attached ADU size: <= 1000 square feet (The alternative cap is 75 percent of the primary dwelling gross floor area, and the lesser limit controls.) · maximum application-review fee: <= 250 USD per accessory dwelling unit (Usual building fees may be charged in addition to the application fee.) · conflicting municipal policy effective date: >= 2027-01-01 (Conflicting provisions are invalid to the extent of the conflict.)

    “a municipality shall not adopt a policy, regulation, or ordinance that restricts, prohibits, or otherwise regulates the use of at least one accessory dwelling unit”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Agricultural operations and farm or agricultural uses subject to municipal requirements, nuisance actions, or zoning-related limitations under West Virginia law.

    • The agricultural operation must be in material compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and permits.
    • A reasonable expansion is protected only if it does not create a substantially adverse effect upon the environment or a hazard to public health and safety.
    • The municipal-requirement protection applies to an agricultural operation situated outside municipal corporate boundaries on the effective date of the chapter; if subsequently annexed or otherwise brought within municipal boundaries, the municipality’s requirements do not apply to the agricultural operation.
    • The nuisance protections do not apply when the nuisance results from negligent operation or when the operation violates an applicable federal, state, or local statute or governmental requirement.
    • Outside municipalities or urban areas, the zoning chapter does not authorize regulations preventing or limiting the complete use of natural resources or a tract or contiguous tracts of land of any size for a farm or agricultural operation.
    • The protection described is against specified nuisance actions and municipal or zoning restrictions; it does not eliminate other applicable environmental, health, safety, permitting, or land-use requirements.
    “A requirement of a municipality does not apply to an agricultural operation situated outside of the municipality’s corporate boundaries on the effective date of this chapter.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Buildings or structures utilized primarily for agricultural purposes under West Virginia’s State Building Code framework.
      “shall be exempt from the provisions of the State Building Code, the State Fire Code, and any county or municipal building code or ordinance”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land development subject to a local subdivision and land-development ordinance adopted under West Virginia law.

    • The local ordinance must include minor and major subdivision processes, planning-commission approval authority, review, approval, recording, fees, waivers, and improvement-location permits.
    • The statute allows exemptions for certain land development, including single-family residential structures and farm structures.
    • The cited statute does not itself provide one uniform statewide subdivision approval process for every parcel; local governing bodies and planning commissions administer the ordinance.

    planning-commission approval: Required before development commences when a subdivision and land-development ordinance applies. (Applicable local exemptions and ordinance provisions may apply.) · plat recording: Required before construction commences after approval. (The plat is recorded in the clerk's office of the county commission where a majority of the land lies.) · fees: A schedule of fees proportioned to the cost of checking and verifying proposed plats.

    “plans and plats must be approved by the applicable planning commission”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New driveways or approaches connecting private property to West Virginia state highways or located within state highway rights-of-way.

    • The permit is free of charge from any Division office.
    • Permits are granted only for legitimate access to private property and when location, design, and construction comply with Division of Highways specifications.
    • Driveways must not be located in sharp curves, on steep grades, within intersections, or where they interfere with signs, signals, or drainage.
    • Unauthorized driveway installation can result in a fine or removal.
    • The source directs applicants to check with the applicable District Office before building.
    “A reminder from the Division of Highways to property owners building new driveways — don’t forget your permit. Available free of charge from any Division office, permits are required by state law in order to assure that there is no uncontrolled access to state highways that would reduce the road’s safety or interfere with efficient movement of traffic.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in floodplains regulated by participating West Virginia counties and flood-prone municipalities, including dredging, filling, grading, excavation, and stream crossings.

    • Every county and flood-prone municipality participates in the NFIP and has an ordinance regulating floodplain development.
    • Most stream-restoration projects involving dredging, filling, grading, or excavation are considered development for which a county or community permit is required.
    • Before altering or relocating a watercourse, the applicant must consult the local floodplain permit officer regarding whether a permit is required and the fee.
    • Approximate A zones require written assurance that flood-carrying capacity will be maintained; except for extremely small projects, this generally requires pre- and post-development engineering studies showing no unacceptable rise of 1 foot or greater.
    • AE zones without a designated floodway may not create more than a 1-foot cumulative rise, and an engineering study may be required.
    • AE zones with floodways require hydrologic and hydraulic analysis showing zero rise in base flood elevation.
    • Before issuance, the permit officer requires copies of all other federally or state-required permits.
    • Permit cost varies.

    unacceptable rise threshold: >= 1 ft (Except for extremely small projects in Approximate A zones.) · cumulative rise limit in AE zones without floodway: <= 1 ft · base flood elevation rise in AE zones with floodway: 0 ft · permit cost: varies

    “Every county and flood prone municipality in West Virginia participates in the National Floodplain Insurance Program (NFIP), and has an ordinance to regulate development in the floodplain. The ordinance includes a flood map that designates floodplain areas, and establishes a permitting system to regulate new development in the floodplain.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Development in floodplains within West Virginia counties and flood-prone municipalities, administered through the applicable local county, town, or city floodplain permit officer.
      “Every county and flood prone municipality in West Virginia participates in the National Floodplain Insurance Program (NFIP), and has an ordinance to regulate development in the floodplain. The ordinance includes a flood map that designates floodplain areas, and establishes a permitting system to regulate new development in the floodplain.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    West Virginia counties adopting zoning for all or part of their jurisdiction, including unincorporated areas.

    • The county governing body must work with the planning commission and the public to develop the zoning ordinance.
    • The ordinance may cover the county's entire jurisdiction or only parts of it.
    • The statute also authorizes municipalities to regulate land use within their own jurisdictions; municipal zoning is not county zoning.
    • No effective date or fee is stated in the cited provision.
    “(3) Enacting a zoning ordinance. (b) A zoning ordinance may cover a county's entire jurisdiction or parts of its jurisdiction.”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    West Virginia county commissions adopting and enforcing building and housing codes for residential construction in unincorporated portions of the county.

    • The county commission must act by order duly entered of record.
    • Codes may establish and regulate minimum building and housing standards for improving health, safety, and well-being.
    • Codes may apply to the entire county or any portion or portions constituting an effective area; the county need not adopt the code for other portions.
    • The code does not apply within a municipal corporation that has adopted and has in effect a housing and building code unless and until the municipality provides otherwise by ordinance.
    • Structures on parcels used primarily for agricultural purposes are excluded.
    • Any county property-maintenance code or ordinance must exempt property used for agricultural purposes and is unenforceable as to agricultural property.
    • Existing county building codes became void one year after promulgation of a state building code by the State Fire Commission; after that voidance, a county adopting a building code must adopt the state building code.
    • A county may adopt the state building code after promulgation, but it does not apply within a municipal corporation that has not adopted it.
    “county commissions are hereby authorized and empowered, by order duly entered of record, to adopt building and housing codes”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Inside cities and towns in Cabell County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land use and development within the City of Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia.

    • The City of Huntington Zoning Ordinance regulates land use within city limits.
    • Most types of development require planning and zoning review.
    • Uses may be allowed by right or may require further review, including conditional-use review by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
    “As described in Chapter 8A, Article 8-1 of the West Virginia State Code, the City of Huntington has established a Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) because it has adopted a Zoning Ordinance. The City of Huntington Zoning Ordinance regulates how individuals, organizations and businesses can use land within the City limits.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — Zoning within the City of Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia.
      “The Office of Planning and Zoning houses information on the zoning map and ordinances, geographic information systems (GIS) and floodplain regulations. The planning office is also the administrative staff to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission, and the Historic Preservation Commission. Most types of development require planning and zoning review to determine if they meet all the requirements of the zoning ordinance.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling-size requirements in unincorporated Cabell County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in Cabell County outside any municipality-specific rule.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or temporary recreational-vehicle occupancy on private land in unincorporated Cabell County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in Cabell County.
  • Tiny homes — Occupancy of tiny homes as dwellings in unincorporated Cabell County.
2 more unanswered
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Cabell County, West Virginia

Is Cabell County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Cabell County scores 56/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and mixed durability signals. Watch-outs: a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop and about 144,082 people within a 30-minute drive.

Do you need a building permit in Cabell County, West Virginia?

Cabell County generally requires a residential building permit, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Cabell-Huntington Health Department (Environmental Health). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Cabell County, West Virginia?

Land in Cabell County runs about $5,367 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Cabell County?

Cabell County gets about 45.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 1.7% of years.

How remote is Cabell County?

A representative private-land location has about 144,082 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,548,930 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Cabell compares in West Virginia

Compare side-by-side →See all 55 West Virginia counties ranked →