Bolthole Index

Wirt County, West Virginia

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Wirt County, West Virginia

67Index Score / 100
#20 of 55 in West Virginia

Wirt County, West Virginia requires a building permit, but the county's covered projects, fees and inspection sequence could not be confirmed; contact the Wirt County Assessor before starting work12. Countywide zoning remains unconfirmed, so ask the County Commission about parcel-specific land-use rules3. A written permit is required before installing a septic or other sewage-disposal system4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; confirm covered work, forms, fees and inspections with the Wirt County Assessor12
Zoning
Countywide zoning status is not confirmed; ask the County Commission about the parcel53
Septic permit
A written permit is required; start with the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department467
Individual well
A local health-department permit is required before drilling, modifying or abandoning a well8
Owner-builder
Owner-performed work is exempt from contractor licensing, not from applicable permits or codes9
RV or tiny-home living
No county occupancy rule was confirmed; ask the County Commission and health department before relying on either use510
Septic soil difficulty
Only 1% of county soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field11
State-highway driveway
A free Division of Highways permit is required for a new connection to a state highway12

Who to call

Building permits

Wirt County Assessor's Office

Contact point for requesting the current Wirt County building-permit ordinance, application route, fee schedule and inspection requirements

(304) 275-3192

dk.wilson@wirtcountywv.net

Wirt County Courthouse 19 Washington Street, Suite 100 Elizabeth, WV 26143

Planning & zoning

Wirt County Commission

Contact point for confirming county zoning, subdivision, land-use and floodplain contacts for a specific parcel

(304) 275-4271

Septic permits

Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department — Wirt County Office

Local contact for onsite sewage and individual-water-well permits in Wirt County

304-275-3131

88 Senior Circle Lower Washington Street Elizabeth, WV 26143

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

Off-grid gear

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

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

Yes. Wirt County is identified as requiring a building permit, although the covered projects, fee, application sequence and inspection stages could not be confirmed1. Call the Wirt County Assessor's Office at (304) 275-3192 before ordering materials or beginning site work, and request the current ordinance, application, fee schedule and inspection checklist2. West Virginia's State Building Code applies only where a county or municipality adopts it, and the adopting jurisdiction handles enforcement13. Buildings used primarily for agriculture are exempt from state, fire, and adopted local building codes14. Anyone claiming that agricultural exemption must submit the question and supporting details about the property's primary use to the Commissioner of Agriculture for a decision15.

Who handles Wirt County building permits, and how do you reach them?

A clearly identified Wirt County building-department page or current online building-permit portal could not be confirmed. The practical first call is the Wirt County Assessor's Office at (304) 275-3192, in the Wirt County Courthouse at 19 Washington Street, Suite 100, Elizabeth, WV 261432. Ask the Assessor's Office to identify the current permit officer and provide the application, covered-work list, fee schedule and inspection requirements. For zoning, subdivision or floodplain-contact questions, call the Wirt County Commission at (304) 275-42713. West Virginia law allows a county building code to cover all or only part of a county, while a municipal building code can govern within municipal limits16. Confirm which jurisdiction covers the parcel before relying on a building-permit answer.

Does Wirt County have zoning?

Wirt County is reported as having no county zoning, but we could not confirm that with a current ordinance or an explicit official county statement5. Ask the Wirt County Commission at (304) 275-4271 about zoning, setbacks, minimum dwelling size, lot coverage, building height and minimum lot size for the specific parcel3. West Virginia law permits a county zoning ordinance to cover the entire county or selected parts, and municipal zoning is separate from county zoning17. Where a local subdivision and land-development ordinance applies, it must include lot-size standards, but state law does not create one uniform numeric minimum for every Wirt County parcel18. Do not treat rural land as unrestricted without checking the parcel's jurisdiction and recorded restrictions.

How do septic and well permits work in Wirt County?

A written permit is required before installing a septic or other sewage- or excreta-disposal system in Wirt County, and the system must follow approved plans and instructions4. The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department oversees sewage and septic systems in Wirt County; its Wirt County office is at 88 Senior Circle, Lower Washington Street, Elizabeth, WV 26143, and its phone number is 304-275-313167. Call before finalizing a house site because only 1% of Wirt County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field11. Off-grid sanitation is not a way around approval: a written permit and approved plans are still required for sewage or excreta disposal19. A local health-department permit is also required before drilling, modifying or abandoning an individual well, and a licensed well driller must do the work8. Ask the health department which inspections and installer records apply, because a general Wirt County septic-inspection requirement could not be confirmed.

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

Wirt County's long-term RV, temporary-camping and tiny-home occupancy rules could not be confirmed. A report of no county zoning does not answer sanitation, floodplain, building-code, utility or municipal requirements5. Before buying land for an RV or tiny home, ask the Wirt County Commission about occupancy, setbacks, minimum size and floodplain restrictions for the parcel3. Ask the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department how sewage must be handled, because off-grid sewage or excreta disposal still requires a written permit and approved plans197. An owner or occupant may personally perform construction work without a West Virginia contractor license, but that exemption does not waive an applicable building permit, code, inspection or certificate-of-occupancy requirement9. Do not assume a tiny home on wheels is exempt simply because it resembles an RV.

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

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Wirt County or within a municipality, because county and municipal building authority can differ16.
  1. Call the Wirt County Assessor's Office for the current building-permit application, covered-work list, fees and inspection sequence12.
  1. Ask the County Commission to identify the zoning, subdivision and floodplain contacts for the parcel3. The county or community floodplain permit officer decides whether a project is in a designated floodplain and which standards apply20.
  1. Contact the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department before siting the home for the written septic permit and any individual-well permit487.
  1. If land disturbance reaches 1 acre or more, including a smaller site within a larger common development plan, obtain WVDEP construction-stormwater authorization21.
  1. If the driveway connects to a state highway, obtain the free Division of Highways permit before construction12.

What should you check before buying land in Wirt County?

Start with soils and buildable terrain: only 1% of Wirt County soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, and 28.3% of county land has a slope of 15% or less1122. Wirt County is 89.3% wooded, so price clearing and confirm the usable homesite and access23. Every West Virginia county has a floodplain ordinance, map and permitting system, and most grading, filling, excavation and stream-crossing work in a designated floodplain requires a county or community permit24. A new driveway connection to a state highway needs a free Division of Highways permit12. Wirt County's effective property-tax rate is about 0.5%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $6022526. Also verify deed restrictions, legal access, survey boundaries and utility availability for the parcel.

Watch-outs

  • The building-permit requirement is identified, but Wirt County's covered-project list, application, fees and inspections could not be confirmed; obtain them from the Wirt County Assessor before work begins12.
  • A report of no county zoning does not establish that an RV or tiny home is allowed on a particular parcel, and off-grid sewage disposal still requires written approval519.
  • Only 1% of Wirt County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so make septic feasibility a purchase contingency11.

Sources

  1. Wirt County Assessor - Building Permit Ordinance (2026 county census)
  2. Wirt County Assessor's Office (wirtcountywv.net)
  3. Wirt County Commission (wirtcountywv.net)
  4. West Virginia Code §16-1-9, quoted and re-checked
  5. Wirt County - Other County Government Agencies (2026 county census)
  6. movhd.com, quoted and re-checked
  7. Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department — Wirt County Office (movhd.com)
  8. Water Wells, quoted and re-checked
  9. West Virginia Code §30-42-6, quoted and re-checked
  10. Wirt County - Other County Government Agencies (2026 county census)
  11. 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
  12. Encroachment Permits, quoted and re-checked
  13. West Virginia Code §15A-11-5, Promulgation of rules and statewide building code (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. West Virginia Code §15A-11-5, quoted and re-checked
  15. 87CSR4 State Building Code, quoted and re-checked
  16. West Virginia Code §7-1-3n. Authority of certain counties as to building and housing codes; state building code (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. West Virginia Code §8A-7-1. Authority for zoning ordinance (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. West Virginia Code §8A-4-2. Contents of subdivision and land development ordinance. (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. West Virginia Code §16-1-9, quoted and re-checked
  20. Floodplain Permits, quoted and re-checked
  21. Construction Stormwater General Permit (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Floodplain Permits, quoted and re-checked
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. 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

Unlike 5 of its 6 neighbors, Wirt County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleWirt CountyWood CountyRitchie CountyRoane CountyPleasants CountyCalhoun CountyJackson County
Building permitRequiredRequiredNot requiredNot requiredLimitedLimitedNot required
County zoningNoNoNoNoNoNoNot published
Septic permitsCounty Health Dept.Mid-Ohio Valley Health Dept.Mid-Ohio Valley Health Dept.County Health Dept.Mid-Ohio Valley Health Dept.Mid-Ohio Valley Health Dept.County Health Dept.

County locator

Wirt County in West Virginia

67
County map
Wirt County highlighted among the West Virginia counties · colored by Index score

How Wirt County scores

Seclusion78100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency52100% ev.
Admin Boringness65100% ev.
Durability65100% ev.
Property Autonomy26100% ev.
Carry Cost88100% 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 →

$115kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$2,622Land / acre
46.8"Annual rain
2.4% of yrsSevere drought
3.7 / yr (+3.6)Mid-century 100°F days
10.8 daysMid-century dry spell
1.6" (+9.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.91×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,059Home insurance / yr
-0.2% / yrInsurance growth
1.26%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
4,858People within 30 min
945,976People within 2 hr
23,189Radius comparison (15 mi)
21.5People / sq mi
0%Federal land
28.3%Land at 15% slope or less
1%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
1,341 acWorkable land screen
89.3%Wooded land
58 tonsBiomass / forest ac
54°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Wirt 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.

Town of Elizabeth

Answers from the rulebook for Wirt County

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

Wirt County rules

  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in designated floodplain areas of Wirt County.

    • Every county in West Virginia participates in the NFIP and has an ordinance regulating floodplain development.
    • The ordinance includes a flood map and a permitting system.
    • Development includes dredging, filling, grading, and excavation; most such projects require a county or community permit.
    • Bridge, culvert, and other stream-crossing construction or alteration is regulated.
    • In Approximate A zones, written assurance must show flood-carrying capacity will be maintained; for all but extremely small projects, a pre- and post-development engineering study will generally be required to show no unacceptable rise of 1 foot or greater.
    • In AE zones without a designated floodway, development may not create more than a 1-foot cumulative rise and an engineering study may be required.
    • In AE zones with floodways, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis must demonstrate zero rise.
    • Before permit issuance, copies of all other federally or state-required permits are required.
    • Permit cost varies.

    maximum cumulative rise in AE zone without floodway: <= 1 ft · unacceptable rise in Approximate A zones: >= 1 ft (Projects must demonstrate no unacceptable rise; all but extremely small projects generally require a pre- and post-development engineering study.) · base flood elevation rise in AE floodway: 0 ft (Hydrologic and hydraulic analysis required.)

    “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.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Floodplain-development permitting in Wirt County.

    • The county or community permit officer determines whether the project is within the designated floodplain and which standards apply.
    • Copies of all other permits required by federal or state law are required before issuance.
    • Permit cost varies.
    “In reviewing permit applications, the county or community will determine if the proposed project is within the designated floodplain, as well as the specific regulatory standards that pertain to the particular floodplain area.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    The official Wirt County government agencies listing shows no planning, zoning, or land-use department, consistent with rural WV counties having no zoning.

    Wirt County - Other County Government Agencies ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

West Virginia rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Building permits for construction, repair, or alteration in West Virginia; permit requirements depend on the applicable local jurisdiction and whether that jurisdiction has adopted and enforces a building code or otherwise regulates the work by state law or municipal ordinance.

    • West Virginia does not have statewide building code requirements.
    • A community that adopts and enforces a building code must use the State Building Code.
    • Municipal governing bodies have authority to require a permit as a condition precedent to erection, construction, repair, or alteration of structures or equipment regulated by state law or municipal ordinance.
    • A municipality may not require such permits of the state, a county, or another governmental entity, or their contractors, agents, or employees, for structures or equipment designated for governmental use.
    • The cited statewide sources do not establish that every construction project in every jurisdiction requires a building permit.
    “While West Virginia does not have statewide building code requirements, the adoption and implementation of building codes is strongly encouraged.”
  • 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;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Contractor-licensure exemptions applicable to owner-performed work in Wirt County.
      “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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — West Virginia State Building Code framework applicable to structures erected or renovated in West Virginia, including Wirt County, subject to local-jurisdiction adoption and enforcement.
      “Each local jurisdiction which adopts the State Building Code is responsible for the enforcement of the building code as provided in West Virginia Code 7-1-3n and 8-12-13.”
  • 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”
  • Who permits septicState

    Individual or dual onsite sewage disposal systems using subsurface absorption, including conventional septic systems, statewide in West Virginia

    • The West Virginia Department of Health's Public Health Sanitation Division has primacy for the listed onsite sewage matters.
    • The source does not establish that every county health department independently administers the statewide rule; local implementation may occur only as authorized representatives or under separate delegation.
    “The Public Health Sanitation Division shall have primacy in all matters relating to: 1. Individual or dual on-site sewage disposal systems utilizing subsurface absorption, gray water systems, privies, and sewage holding tanks.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Mixed — On-site sewage administration applicable in Wirt County.
      “The MOVHD’s Environmental Health (EH) Department oversee sewage and septic systems in Calhoun, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt and Wood.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation or establishment of a sewage or excreta-disposal system statewide, including new septic systems and modifications to existing septic systems

    • A written permit must be obtained before installation or establishment.
    • Systems must be installed according to plans, specifications, and instructions issued by or approved in writing by the commissioner or authorized representative.
    • For new septic systems and modifications, permits require review and approval of the proper application, plans, and specifications.
    • Minor repairs may be performed without a permit in limited circumstances, including removal of tree roots from solid-wall pipe or repair of a collapsed pipe outside the drainfield; work within the drainfield area will generally require a permit.
    • Commercial or industrial wastes subject to West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection regulatory control are excluded from the scope of §16-1-9.
    “New septic tank systems and modifications to existing septic tank systems must be permitted prior to installation, pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.3 of the WV Legislative Rule 64 CSR 9, Sewer Systems, Sewage Treatment Systems, and Sewage Tank Cleaners (hereinafter referred to as the Sewer Systems Rule).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Installation or establishment of sewage or excreta-disposal systems in Wirt County.
      “without first obtaining a written permit to install or establish the system or method”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Installation of new septic tank systems and modifications to existing septic tank systems statewide in West Virginia

    • A septic system may not be used or placed into operation until installation has been approved in writing by the director.
    • No soil-absorption portion may be covered until approved in writing by the director; anything covered before approval may be ordered uncovered.
    • The director may conduct as many inspections as necessary during construction, installation, modification, or operation to determine compliance.
    • The procedure states that proper final inspection is necessary to verify the system is in the originally approved and permitted area, meets separation distances, is properly constructed and installed as designed, uses approved methods and materials, and is expected to function without creating a public-health hazard.
    “Proper final inspection of a septic tank system is necessary in order to assure the following:”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sewage or excreta-disposal systems in Wirt County.

    • A written permit is required before installation or establishment.
    • Plans, specifications, and instructions must be issued or approved by the commissioner or authorized representative.
    • Commercial or industrial wastes subject to West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection control are excluded from this statute.
    “sewage or excreta being disposed of in a manner not approved”
  • Well permitRequired

    Private water wells in Wirt County.

    • A permit must be obtained from the local health department before drilling, modifying, or abandoning a well.
    • Individual water wells must be drilled by licensed well drillers.
    “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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Drilling, modifying, or abandoning an individual water well in West Virginia.
      “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.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Buildings or structures in Wirt County used primarily for agricultural purposes, including agritourism purposes, under West Virginia's State Building Code.

    • The exemption applies to buildings or structures used primarily for agricultural purposes, including agritourism purposes.
    • A property owner or other responsible party claiming the exemption must submit the question to the Commissioner of Agriculture for an eligibility determination.
    • The claimant must submit sufficient information to determine the property's primary use, including the location of the property and buildings, the types of agricultural uses, the percentage or frequency of use, and any other information the Commissioner requires.
    • The Commissioner of Agriculture provides a copy of the decision to the property owner or responsible party and to the entity that adopted and enforces the Building Code.
    • The rule took effect August 1, 2022 and terminates August 1, 2027.

    effective date: 2022-08-01 · sunset date: 2027-08-01

    “The State Building Code has no application to buildings or structures used primarily for agricultural purposes including agritourism purposes.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Available — Structures utilized primarily for agricultural purposes in Wirt County.
      “shall be exempt from the provisions of the State Building Code, the State Fire Code, and any county or municipal building code or ordinance”
    • 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”
    • Available (with conditions) — Agricultural operations and farm or agricultural uses subject to municipal requirements, nuisance actions, or zoning-related limitations under West Virginia law.
      “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.”
  • 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 to state highways in Wirt County.

    • The permit is free of charge.
    • The driveway or approach must serve the legitimate purpose of gaining access to private property.
    • Location, design, and construction must comply with WV Division of Highways specifications.
    • The rule concerns access to state highways, not every private or local road.

    permit fee: 0 USD (free of charge)

    “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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — New driveways or approaches connecting private property to West Virginia state highways or located within state highway rights-of-way.
      “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.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    WVDEP construction stormwater permit fees for qualifying construction-site stormwater discharges statewide.

    • Applies to construction stormwater permitting administered by WVDEP, not every building, land-use, or local permit.
    • The WVDEP page links a Revised Fee Schedule 2025 for new, reissuance, and modification applications.

    disturbance threshold: >= 1 acre (Smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development are also covered.)

    “The WV/NPDES Stormwater Program requires operators of construction sites that disturb one (1) acre or greater, including smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development, to obtain authorization to discharge stormwater under a WV/NPDES Construction Stormwater General Permit. When the construction activity is owned by one person but operated by another, it is the responsibility of the owner (developer) to obtain the permit. When the construction activity is completed and all disturbed areas are stabilized, the responsible party must submit a Notice of Termination (NOT) in order to end coverage under the General Permit. If you are going to disturb one acre or greater you are required to first obtain a stormwater construction permit. All applications for coverage under the construction stormwater general permit must be submitted through WV DEP's Electronic Submittal System (ESS). [... ] Revised Fee Schedule 2025”
  • 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

Still unanswered

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

  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning conclusion for Wirt County, including any municipal or other subordinate local rules.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Wirt County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits in Wirt County.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential RV occupancy in Wirt County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in Wirt County.
3 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • 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 Wirt County, West Virginia

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

Wirt County scores 67/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 4,858 people within a 30-minute drive. Watch-outs: a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop.

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

Wirt County generally requires a residential building permit, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Wirt County Health Department. 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 Wirt County, West Virginia?

Land in Wirt County runs about $2,622 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Wirt County?

Wirt County gets about 46.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2.4% of years.

How remote is Wirt County?

A representative private-land location has about 4,858 people within a 30-minute drive and 945,976 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 Wirt compares in West Virginia

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