Bolthole Index

Putnam County, West Virginia

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Hurricane, West Virginia

Building inside Hurricane, West Virginia (Putnam County) requires a city building permit for any new construction, and the city's own planning and zoning code sets the districts12. Hurricane's Building Department issues the permits and runs inspections under the 2018 International Building Code3. Septic permits for homes off public sewer come from the Putnam County Health Department4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside city limits for construction, expansion, relocation or demolition1
Who issues it
City of Hurricane Building Department5
Zoning
City zoning with seven districts, from R-1 Single Family to B-3 Business & Highway Use and G General Use6
Building code
International Building Code 20183
Permit fee
$20 for projects of $250 to $1,499, plus $4 per additional $1,0007
Owner-builder
Homeowners may do their own work if they secure the permits8
Septic
Putnam County Health Department issues septic permits in the county; confirm for city lots4
RV and tiny home living
Not confirmed; ask the Building Department5

Who to call

Building permits

City of Hurricane Building Department

Building permits, plan review and inspections inside Hurricane city limits

(304) 562-5896

building@hurricanewv.com

3255 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane, WV 25526

Septic permits

Putnam County Health Department (Environmental Health)

On-site sewage disposal (septic) permits for Putnam County

(304) 757-2541

putnamlhd@wv.gov

11878 Winfield Road, Winfield, WV 25213

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Hurricane means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Hurricane, WV?

Yes. Inside Hurricane city limits, building permits are mandatory for any construction, reconstruction, expansion, modification, relocation or demolition of a building or structure, including electrical or mechanical work1. Contractors who start without a permit face a fine of no less than $1001.

Homeowners may do their own work, provided they secure the necessary permits8. West Virginia's contractor-licensing exemption for owners working on their own structure covers licensure only and does not waive the city's permit9.

The rule above is the city's. Outside city limits, Putnam County has its own permit rules for unincorporated land; see the Putnam County page.

Who issues building permits in Hurricane, and what do they cost?

The City of Hurricane Building Department issues building permits and schedules inspections5. Applications go to building@hurricanewv.com or can be filled out at the Hurricane Municipal Building5.

The fee depends on the cost of labor and materials: $0 for projects of $0 to $249, $20 for $250 to $1,499, and $4 more for each additional $1,0007. Routine permits are usually approved the same day unless the code enforcement officer or utility superintendent must sign off10. Permits are valid for 6 months and can be renewed once at no charge if requested before they expire10.

Phone the Building Department at (304) 562-5896 with questions5.

Does Hurricane have zoning?

Yes. The City of Hurricane administers its own planning and zoning code inside city limits2. The city lists seven districts: R-1 Single Family Residence, R-2 General Residential, R-3 Mobile Home Residential, B-1 Business and Residential, B-2 Central Business, B-3 Business & Highway Use, and G General Use6.

The district rules for lot size, setbacks, height, RVs, tiny homes and accessory dwellings are in the city's zoning documents, and we could not confirm those figures. Ask the Building Department at (304) 562-5896 which district a parcel is in and what it allows before you buy5.

Putnam County's zoning ordinance covers only zoned unincorporated areas, so its setback and dwelling-size standards do not apply on a lot inside Hurricane11.

How do septic permits work in Hurricane?

Hurricane runs water and sewer service, and new homes in the city's service district must be ready to connect within 30 days after service is made available12. Sewer charges begin on the date service is made available, even if the service line is not finished12.

For a home that is not on public sewer, septic permits in Putnam County are issued by the Putnam County Health Department after an environmental health specialist approves the site4. The homeowner or a certified installer submits the application, and a final inspection is required before the system is covered13. The fee is $194.25 for a conventional single-family system and $393.75 for other types14.

We could not confirm how these septic rules apply to a lot inside city limits; call the Putnam County Health Department at (304) 757-2541 before relying on a septic plan in town15.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Hurricane?

We could not confirm Hurricane's rules for living in an RV, camping on a lot, or occupying a tiny home. The city's zoning district documents were not available to us, so ask the Building Department at (304) 562-5896 before parking or building anything on a lot5.

The R-3 Mobile Home Residential district exists for mobile homes6. Whether a manufactured home is allowed on a given lot depends on its district, which we could not confirm. West Virginia law does require cities to apply the same design standards and permitting procedures to HUD-certified factory-built homes as to other single-family homes16.

Building a home in Hurricane: the steps, in order

  1. Call the Building Department at (304) 562-5896 to confirm the zoning district and what the lot allows5.
  2. Check the lot against the FEMA flood maps; West Virginia floodplain development needs a local permit17.
  3. If plan review is required, submit two hard copies with West Virginia PE seals and an electronic copy; approval usually takes 7 to 10 business days1.
  4. Attend the pre-construction meeting after plans are approved, before the permit is processed10.
  5. Get the building permit and pay the fee7.
  6. Request inspections with 24 hours' notice by phone18. Inspections cover footer and foundation, framing, insulation, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and a final inspection for the certificate of occupancy19.
  7. Septic or sewer: connect to city sewer where available, or apply to the Putnam County Health Department4.

What stays with Putnam County, and what to check before you buy

Septic permits come from the Putnam County Health Department4. A new driveway onto a state highway needs a permit from the state Division of Highways, free from any Division office20. Well permits come from the local health department21.

For land outside city limits, use the Putnam County page. Putnam County's median property tax bill is $1,235 a year, an effective rate of 0.6%2223. Soils matter too: only 1.9% of Putnam County soils rate as not limited for a conventional septic drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system24.

Watch-outs

  • Hurricane's district rules for lot size, setbacks, RVs and tiny homes were not confirmed; get them from the Building Department at (304) 562-5896 before you buy5.
  • Putnam County's permit and zoning rules apply only to unincorporated land, so do not use the county ordinance for a lot inside Hurricane25.
  • Plan review is separate from the same-day routine approval and takes 7 to 10 business days1.
  • Whether septic is allowed on a city lot not served by sewer was not confirmed; ask the Putnam County Health Department at (304) 757-254115.

Sources

  1. Building Department - City of Hurricane, WV (Hurricane), quoted and re-checked
  2. Zoning Regulations - City of Hurricane, WV (Hurricane), quoted and re-checked
  3. Building Department - City of Hurricane, WV (Hurricane), quoted and re-checked
  4. Sewage - Putnam County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  5. City of Hurricane Building Department (hurricanewv.com)
  6. Zoning Regulations - City of Hurricane, WV (Hurricane), quoted and re-checked
  7. Building Department - City of Hurricane, WV (Hurricane), quoted and re-checked
  8. Building Department - City of Hurricane, WV (Hurricane), quoted and re-checked
  9. West Virginia Code §30-42-6. Necessity for license; exemptions (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Building Department - City of Hurricane, WV (Hurricane), quoted and re-checked
  11. Putnam County Office of Planning & Infrastructure, quoted and re-checked
  12. City of Hurricane Water Application (9-19-25) (Hurricane), quoted and re-checked
  13. Sewage - Putnam County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  14. Permit Fees Adopted by Putnam BOH on 6-24-2024, quoted and re-checked
  15. Putnam County Health Department (Environmental Health) (pchdwv.org)
  16. West Virginia Code §8A-11-1. Standards for factory-built homes (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Floodplain Permits (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Building Department - City of Hurricane, WV (Hurricane), quoted and re-checked
  19. Building Department - City of Hurricane, WV (Hurricane), quoted and re-checked
  20. Encroachment Permits (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Water Wells (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. 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
  25. putnamcountywv.gov, quoted and re-checked

Written October 24, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Hurricane

Hurricane’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, reconstruction, expansion, modification, relocation, or demolition of buildings and structures inside Hurricane city limits, including electrical or mechanical enhancements.

    • Homeowners may do their own work if they secure the necessary permits.
    • Plan review, when required, adds time; plan review requires two hard copies with West Virginia PE seals, plus one electronic copy, and usually takes 7 to 10 business days.
    • Once plans are approved, a pre-construction meeting is required before the permit is processed.
    • Permit applications go to building@hurricanewv.com or to the Hurricane Municipal Building.
    • Work started without a permit exposes the contractor to a fine of no less than $100.00.

    contractor fine for work without a permit: >= 100 USD

    “building permits are mandatory for individuals, partnerships, businesses, or corporations embarking on any construction, reconstruction, expansion, modification, relocation, or demolition of a building or structure, which includes electrical or mechanical enhancements.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Homeowners doing their own construction work inside Hurricane city limits.

    • The option applies only if the homeowner secures the necessary permits.
    • The page does not say whether the homeowner must occupy the dwelling or meet other limits.
    “homeowners have the option to perform their own work, provided they secure the necessary permits.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Hurricane city limits.

    • Adopted code is the International Building Code 2018 as stated by the city. The page does not state whether the International Residential Code or any amendments also apply.
    “the official building code of the city of hurricane is the international building code 2018.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction inside Hurricane city limits, residential and commercial.

    • Inspection requests need 24 hours' advance notice to the building department by phone at 304-562-5896.
    • The contractor's name and phone number, property address, permit number, and inspection type are required when requesting an inspection.
    • Inspectors must be scheduled through the building department, not the building code official directly.

    inspection request advance notice: >= 24 hours

    “inspection requests require a 24-hour advance notice to the building department.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Permitted construction inside Hurricane city limits.

    • The certificate of occupancy is issued at the final inspection listed by the city's building department.
    • The page does not state the fee, the issuing timeline, or whether the certificate is required for occupancy of an existing structure.
    “these inspections include footer/foundation, framing, insulation, plumbing, hvac (mechanical), electrical, concrete (inside only), fire and sprinkler alarms (building code official and state fire marshal), and certificate of occupancy (final inspection).”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Hurricane city limits: the city's own planning and zoning code administers zoning there.

    • The zoning page lists the city's zoning districts; the district text itself was not opened in this research pass.
    “planning & zoning code please click an item below to view.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Land inside Hurricane city limits: the city's zoning district list.

    • Districts listed: R-1 Single Family Residence, R-2 General Residential, R-3 Mobile Home Residential, B-1 Business and Residential, B-2 Central Business, B-3 Business & Highway Use, and G General Use.
    • District text (lot, setback, height, and use rules) was not opened; see unknown dimensional claims.
    “r-1 single family residence district r-2 general residential district r-3 mobile home – residential district b-1 business and residential district b-2 central business district b-3 business & highway use district g general use”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    New homes inside Hurricane city limits in the city's water and sewer service district, once service is made available by the utility.

    • The city's water and sewer application requires the user to be ready for service-line connection within 30 days after service is made available.
    • Water and sewer charges begin 30 days after service is made available, even if the service line is not finished.
    • Sewer service charges begin on the date service is made available, even if the service line is not finished.
    • No distance-from-main threshold that mandates connection was located in the application; the city's rules and regulations were not opened.
    • The application references the West Virginia Public Service Commission rules and the Hurricane Sanitary Board rules.

    connection readiness after service is made available: <= 30 days

    “the user shall be ready for his service line to be connected to the utility’s water system and commence to use the service from the system within 30 days after service is made available to the user by the utility.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building permits inside Hurricane city limits.

    • The fee is based on the cost of labor and materials for the project.
    • The city's published schedule is $0 for $0.00 to $249.00, $20.00 for $250.00 to $1,499.00, plus $4.00 for each additional $1,000.00.
    • Other fee schedules (for example plumbing, water, or sewer tap fees) were not located.

    permit fee for project cost $0.00 to $249.00: 0 USD · permit fee for project cost $250.00 to $1,499.00: 20 USD · additional fee per $1,000.00 of project cost: per 4 USD (added to the base fee for each additional $1,000.00)

    “the building permit fee is determined by the cost of labor and materials for the project. $0.00 to $249.00: $0 $250.00 to $1,499.00: $20.00 each additional $1,000.00: add $4.00”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permits inside Hurricane city limits.

    • Routine permits are usually approved the same day, unless the code enforcement officer or utility superintendent must approve them.
    • Permits are valid for 6 months and may be renewed once at no charge if requested before expiration.
    • Plan review adds time, and the city's pre-construction meeting must occur before the permit is processed.

    permit validity: 6 months (may be renewed once free of charge if requested before expiration)

    “once plans are approved, you will need to schedule a pre-construction meeting.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Hurricane or Putnam County directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in the R-1 Single Family Residence district and the R-2 General Residential district inside Hurricane city limits.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in the R-1 Single Family Residence district inside Hurricane city limits.
  • Setbacks — Setbacks in the R-1 Single Family Residence district inside Hurricane city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in the R-1 Single Family Residence district inside Hurricane city limits.
  • Building height — Building height in the R-1 Single Family Residence district inside Hurricane city limits.
15 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Hurricane publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Putnam County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Putnam County: county rules, score and offices