I've searched the web but can't find any specific info on the building codes in WV. I go to school here now and would like to buy a few acres with a trailer after I graduate, then build a small house, maybe cob or strawbale (not asking for opinions on these methods of building right now). I know some states are friendlier torwards this kind of building than others. I seem to remember hearing that WV didn't have building codes at all until recently. Does anyone know if they are very strict, or could maybe direct me to a website that addresses this kind of thing? Thanks!

-- Elizabeth (Lividia66@aol.com), January 26, 2002

Answers

I heard by word of mouth that the only codes were for foundations of a building.

Anything that was already built on your property shouldn't be subject to these codes.

-- Rick (WV) (Rick_122@hotmail.com), January 26, 2002.

Elizabeth: Go to your county hall of records and look up the county building codes, which will usually fall right in line with the state code. Pay attention to the wiring, plumbing and roofing guidelines. See if there are permits required and how much they cost. Use www.dogpile.com for your search engine. Matt

-- matt johnson (wyo_cowboy_us@yahoo.com), January 26, 2002.

Here in the upper right hand cornor of WV the public records are not even on line yet, they are still written on paper with ink!! My guess would be its very relaxed in the rural areas. The health dept. checks your water, good well water without odor is rare in Hamshire County near Romney.

In rural Maryland a hunting cabin under 600 square foot gets lots of slack.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), January 26, 2002.

Mitch: So, what's your point? Most places in the U.S. aren't online yet. Everything in Chicago, up until 1992, was still handwritten in ledger books. Matt

-- matt johnson (wyo_cowboy_us@yahoo.com), January 26, 2002.

Apparently, the state of West Virginia formally adopted the Building Operators Code Association building code during the 1996 legislative session. Don’t know if this applies to rural buildings or not, as suggested earlier, contact your county officals. This link may help some, West Virginia, http://www.wvdo.org/community/buildingstuff.html

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), January 26, 2002.

Mitch i just got my Reo mall fix yesterday!! Sure is alot of property for sale in Agusta Slainesville Area!! Romney isnt 2 far from me im near Cumberland

-- Grizz In Western Maryland (southerneagle@yahoo.com), January 26, 2002.

Elizabeth the best thing is find a area you like then check with the county on it!! That way you know for sure!! Are you going to school in Morgantown?

-- Grizz In Western Maryland (southerneagle@yahoo.com), January 26, 2002.

Yep, going to good 'ole WVU in Morgantown. I really like the Preston county area, but we'll have to see where I can get a job when I graduate (majoring in Wildlife science). I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks everyone!

-- Elizabeth (Lividia66@aol.com), January 26, 2002.

It probably depends on the county you pick. Outside of the cities it's pretty loose. At least one county commission is getting sued by the Farm Bureau because supposedly the constitution does not give the county commission the authority to issue building permits in rural areas.

If you do everything yourself, I doubt anyone will say a thing. If you get a state licensed contractor for a well or a septic system, there'll be a permit required.

West Virginia thankfully doesn't have the multitudes of petty bureaucrats that other states have. There are also less levels of local governments in WV. There's no townships to bleed more money out of you.

-- Darren (df1@infi.net), January 26, 2002.

In Monongalia and Preston counties, there are no building codes or zoning outside of city limits. Dunno about the other counties....

-- Julia (charmer24@juno.com), January 26, 2002.

It really depends more on where the land is. What is the ZONING CODE. We are adding on (again) and thought there are no codes we HAVE to follow here, you can bet we are taking the electrician's advice. However you can live pretty simply outside city zoning ordinances. Check them out where you want to buy.

-- Anne (Healthytouch101@wildmail.com), January 26, 2002.

There's always a building code somewhere, even in the wilds of Wyoming. It's called the UBC. Everyhome, even mobiles, err manufactured, has to meet the UBC standards.

-- matt johnson (wyo_cowboy_us@yahoo.com), January 27, 2002.

Here's an amplicfication on what I posted previously. In Greenbrier County the county commission requires you to apply and pay for a building permit before you start construction even though the land is located outside a municipality or zoned area.

As of December the farm bureau has brought it to the county commission's attention that under the Code of West Viginia the county commissions have no authority to issue building permits on anything other than areas in floodplains or subject to mudslides. The law exempts structures on agricultural land.

-- Darren (df1@infi.net), January 31, 2002.