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§ WV Berkeley County
City building permits

City of Martinsburg

How to apply for a building permit in City of Martinsburg, West Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

City of Martinsburg Planning, Zoning and Building Department

Street address
232 North Queen Street, 2nd Floor, Martinsburg, WV 25401
Phone
304-264-2131
Coverage
Covers only land within Martinsburg city limits. Properties in unincorporated Berkeley County immediately outside city limits are under Berkeley County jurisdiction.
Online portal
MyGovernmentOnline (MGO)
MyGovernmentOnline
Website
Department website
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Martinsburg

A permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system. A fence permit is required for fences less than 7 feet in height; a full building permit is required for fences 7 feet or taller and retaining walls 4 feet or taller.

Normal maintenance or replacement of fences and walls using like materials (no structural change)
Minor repairs that restore but do not upgrade an existing element (like-for-like)
Any work not requiring a building permit performed by a contractor still requires a Work Registration Form (no charge), issued by the Building Inspectors' office
  • Exempt Normal maintenance or replacement of fences and walls using like materials (no structural change)
  • Exempt Minor repairs that restore but do not upgrade an existing element (like-for-like)
  • Exempt Any work not requiring a building permit performed by a contractor still requires a Work Registration Form (no charge), issued by the Building Inspectors' office

Note: Specific exempt categories follow the adopted WV IRC/IBC; contact the department at 304-264-2131 or review the FAQ at https://www.cityofmartinsburg.org/government/city-departments/planning-department/faq

Required documents
  • Completed permit application (submitted via MGO)
  • Site plan/plot plan showing property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction location, setbacks
  • Construction drawings/plans appropriate to project scope
  • For commercial projects: additional engineering or architectural documents may be required
  • Energy compliance documentation as applicable
Building code
West Virginia State Building Code (2018 IBC, IMC, IPC, IEBC, IRC; 2015 IECC; 2020 NEC), effective August 1, 2022. Reference: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/martinsburg/latest/martinsburg_wv/0-0-0-12200
Permit validity
Per adopted WV State Building Code; typically permits expire if work is not commenced within 6 months or abandoned for 6 months (confirm current policy at 304-264-2131)
Owner-builder
Homeowners are exempt from the WV contractor licensing requirement for work performed on their own primary residence. Homeowners must declare this status on the permit application before work starts.
Contractor requirements
West Virginia contractor license required for projects over applicable thresholds (residential: $5,000+; commercial: $25,000+). WV contractor license issued by WV Division of Labor at 304-558-7890.
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not publicly specified; contact department for current turnaround times

  1. 01
    Determine whether a permit is required by reviewing the FAQ at https://www.cityofmartinsburg.org/government/city-departments/planning-department/faq or calling 304-264-2131.
  2. 02
    Create a free account at https://www.mygovernmentonline.org/ (or log in to an existing account).
  3. 03
    Submit a building permit application online through MGO. Residential and commercial applications are both available.
  4. 04
    Attach required documents (plans, plot plan, specifications) through the MGO portal.
  5. 05
    City building inspectors review the application and plans.
  6. 06
    Applicant pays permit fee online through MGO.
  7. 07
    Permit is issued digitally and available for download from MGO.
  8. 08
    Post permit on-site before work begins.
  9. 09
    Request inspections as work progresses through the MGO portal or by calling 304-264-2131.
  10. 10
    Obtain final approval/Certificate of Occupancy upon satisfactory final inspection.

Typical processing time: Not publicly specified; contact department for current turnaround times

Source: City of Martinsburg Planning, Zoning and Building Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Martinsburg building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Included in permit fee structure per Article 1761; contact department for current breakdown
02
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based per Article 1761 of the Martinsburg Code of Ordinances; fees are calculated based on the estimated construction value of the project
03
Reinspection fee
Not published as a flat rate on city website; contact department at 304-264-2131 for current reinspection fee schedule

Payment made online through MGO portal or in person; online payment also available at https://martinsburgwv.prod.govaccess.org/residents/online-bill-payment

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
Inspection hours
Monday - Friday

Typical sequence: Follows WV State Building Code inspection requirements -- footing, foundation, framing/rough-in (electrical, plumbing, mechanical), and final inspection; sequence varies by project type

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Martinsburg permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Martinsburg, WV? ▸
A permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system. A fence permit is required for fences less than 7 feet in height; a full building permit is required for fences 7 feet or taller and retaining walls 4 feet or taller.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Martinsburg, WV? ▸
Building permit fees in Martinsburg, WV are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based per Article 1761 of the Martinsburg Code of Ordinances; fees are calculated based on the estimated construction value of the project. Plan check fee: Included in permit fee structure per Article 1761; contact department for current breakdown.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Martinsburg, WV? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Martinsburg, WV, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether a permit is required by reviewing the FAQ at https://www.cityofmartinsburg.org/government/city-departments/planning-department/faq or calling 304-264-2131. 2. Create a free account at https://www.mygovernmentonline.org/ (or log in to an existing account). 3. Submit a building permit application online through MGO. Residential and commercial applications are both available. 4. Attach required documents (plans, plot plan, specifications) through the MGO portal. 5. City building inspectors review the application and plans. 6. Applicant pays permit fee online through MGO. 7. Permit is issued digitally and available for download from MGO. 8. Post permit on-site before work begins. 9. Request inspections as work progresses through the MGO portal or by calling 304-264-2131. 10. Obtain final approval/Certificate of Occupancy upon satisfactory final inspection.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Martinsburg, WV? ▸
Building permit processing times in Martinsburg, WV typically run Not publicly specified; contact department for current turnaround times. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Martinsburg, WV? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Martinsburg, WV. The following work is generally exempt: Normal maintenance or replacement of fences and walls using like materials (no structural change); Minor repairs that restore but do not upgrade an existing element (like-for-like); Any work not requiring a building permit performed by a contractor still requires a Work Registration Form (no charge), issued by the Building Inspectors' office. Note: Specific exempt categories follow the adopted WV IRC/IBC; contact the department at 304-264-2131 or review the FAQ at https://www.cityofmartinsburg.org/government/city-departments/planning-department/faq When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Martinsburg, WV? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Martinsburg, WV via: MGO portal, 304-264-2131.
last verified April 2026 source City of Martinsburg Planning, Zoning and Building Department ↗ entry id permits/west-virginia/berkeley/martinsburg
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Martinsburg Planning, Zoning and Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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