City Building Permits

Town of Shepherdstown, WV - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

West Virginia Jefferson County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the Town of Shepherdstown. Approximately 80% of the town is located in a historic district.

Department: Town Hall, Zoning Officer and Planning & Zoning Functions
Address: 104 North King Street, PO Box 248, Shepherdstown, WV 25443
Phone: 304-283-0528
Email: gsisco@shepherdstown.gov
Website: https://www.shepherdstown.gov/Building

Application Process

Contact Town Hall at 304-283-0528 or email gsisco@shepherdstown.gov
Obtain building permit application form
Complete application with property owner signature
Attach plot plans, specifications, and drawings (drawn to scale as required)
Building floor plans required where applicable
If in historic district: Obtain and complete Certificate of Appropriateness application
Submit Historic Landmarks Commission application BEFORE submitting building permit (if required)
Historic Landmarks Commission reviews for design appropriateness (if historic district property)
Upon Historic Landmarks Commission approval, submit building permit application
Town Office processes permit and collects fees
Permit issued; work may commence

Source: Town Hall, Zoning Officer and Planning & Zoning Functions

General Requirements

Building a new structure or house. Building shedding structures (sheds). Building extensions. Fences. Any structural modifications or additions. Change of use or occupancy.

Required Documents

Completed permit application
Plot plans
Specifications and drawings (drawn to scale as required)
Building floor plans (where applicable)
Certificate of Appropriateness application (if in historic district)

Building code: 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) and 2018 International Building Code (IBC) as of August 1, 2022. Shepherdstown Planning and Zoning Ordinance (Title 9, as amended through 2017). Local zoning ordinance with six zoning districts. Historic district overlay covering approximately 80% of the town.
Contractor requirements: For residential projects $5,000+: WVCLB license required. For commercial projects $25,000+: WVCLB license required. For electrical work $1,000+: WVCLB license required.

Fees

Payment note: Fees must accompany the application and be submitted to the Town Treasurer/Clerk. Contact Town Hall at 304-283-0528 for current fee schedule

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town Hall, Zoning Officer and Planning & Zoning Functions to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday

Typical inspection sequence: Zoning Officer review of application. Code compliance inspection during construction (as needed). Final inspection upon completion. Certificate of Occupancy issued upon passing final inspection.

Additional Resources

Building code: 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) and 2018 International Building Code (IBC) as of August 1, 2022. Shepherdstown Planning and Zoning Ordinance (Title 9, as amended through 2017). Local zoning ordinance with six zoning districts. Historic district overlay covering approximately 80% of the town.
Verify contractor license: West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board
Zoning information: View zoning info
Historic Preservation
License lookup guide: West Virginia Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: West Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
West Virginia hub: West Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town Hall, Zoning Officer and Planning & Zoning Functions before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Shepherdstown Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Shepherdstown, WV?: Building a new structure or house. Building shedding structures (sheds). Building extensions. Fences. Any structural modifications or additions. Change of use or occupancy.
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Shepherdstown, WV?: 1. Contact Town Hall at 304-283-0528 or email gsisco@shepherdstown.gov 2. Obtain building permit application form 3. Complete application with property owner signature 4. Attach plot plans, specifications, and drawings (drawn to scale as required) 5. Building floor plans required where applicable 6. If in historic district: Obtain and complete Certificate of Appropriateness application 7. Submit Historic Landmarks Commission application BEFORE submitting building permit (if required) 8. Historic Landmarks Commission reviews for design appropriateness (if historic district property) 9. Upon Historic Landmarks Commission approval, submit building permit application 10. Town Office processes permit and collects fees 11. Permit issued; work may commence

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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