How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Monongalia County, WV?

Fees are calculated as: Tower Ordinance fees are flat fees by permit type. Land use permit fees for standard residential and commercial structures are not listed on the public fee page as of the date of this research; contact MCPC at 304-284-7302 for current land use permit fee amounts.. Plan check fee: No separate plan check fee listed; review cost is folded into application fees.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Monongalia County, WV?

The following work is generally exempt: Maintenance of existing structures not involving structural change (residing, reroofing, replacement of windows or doors in kind); Maintenance (but not complete removal and replacement) of a deck; Properties located outside any zoned planning district that do not involve a structure requiring a zoning review. Note: Even exempt work may trigger other requirements - always contact the County Assessor (Real Property Improvement Form) and, if applicable, the WV State Fire Marshal or Division of Highways

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Monongalia County, WV?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Monongalia County Planning Commission, WV State Fire Marshal (for commercial/multi-family): 304-558-2191.

County Building Permits

Monongalia County, WV - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Monongalia County, West Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

West Virginia Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

MCPC administers land use permits and zoning compliance for unincorporated county areas and the West Run Planning District. The county does NOT enforce a local building code. Building code enforcement for commercial, industrial, and multi-family (3+ units) structures is handled by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal. Single-family residential construction in unincorporated areas has no mandatory building code inspection unless the project falls under a zoned district requiring a land use permit.

Department: Monongalia County Planning Commission (MCPC)
Address: 243 High Street, Room 026, Morgantown, WV 26505
Phone: 304-284-7302 (main); 304-291-9570 (staff direct)
Email: planning@monongaliacounty.gov
Website: https://www.monongaliacounty.gov/moncpc/

Online Permit Portal

Open Building Permit Applications

Platform: Paper-based process • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine if the property is within a zoned planning district (West Run, Cheat Lake, etc.) using the County GIS map.
Identify the correct permit level: Level I (single-family, duplex, accessory structures) or Level II (non-residential, multi-family).
Download and complete the appropriate application form from the MCPC website.
Prepare a site plan showing property boundaries, dimensions, setbacks, and proposed structure location.
Submit the completed application, site plan, and fee to the MCPC office by 12 noon on or before the designated submission deadline.
MCPC staff review the application for zoning compliance. Level I applications are typically reviewed administratively; Level II and larger projects may require Planning Commission review at a scheduled meeting.
If approved, a Land Use Permit is issued. If denied, applicants may appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Post permit on site before beginning work.
Separately contact the WV State Fire Marshal (304-558-2191) for building code plan review if the project is commercial, industrial, or multi-family.
Separately obtain a Real Property Improvement Form from the County Assessor's Office after construction.

Typical processing time: Level I administrative reviews typically 1-2 weeks; Level II or Planning Commission reviews follow the monthly meeting schedule; DSI projects may take 60-90+ days.

Source: Monongalia County Planning Commission (MCPC)

General Requirements

A Land Use Permit is required in zoned areas for construction, enlargement, moving, or reconstruction of any structure, or change of use. This includes: new single-family homes and duplexes; accessory structures (sheds, garages) over 100 sq ft; additions increasing gross floor area by more than 100%; commercial and industrial construction; patios over 20x20 feet. Properties outside a zoned planning district may not require a land use permit but still need to comply with other requirements.

Required Documents

Completed application form
Site plan drawn to scale showing setbacks, dimensions, and structure location
Description of proposed use
Proof of property ownership or authorization
Additional engineering documents for larger projects

Permit validity: Permits are valid for the duration specified in the approval; Permit Extension Applications available to extend up to two additional years.
Building code: NO local building code adopted or enforced for unincorporated residential construction. West Virginia State Building Code (2018 IBC, 2018 IRC with amendments) applies statewide and is enforced by the WV State Fire Marshal for commercial, industrial, and multi-family (3+ units) projects.
Owner-builder: No specific owner-builder exemption noted in public materials; contact MCPC for project-specific guidance.
Contractor requirements: Under $5,000 (residential) or under $25,000 (commercial): only a WV State Tax Business License is needed. At or above those thresholds a full WV contractor license is required. Verify licenses at https://labor.wv.gov/pages/database-searches.aspx

Fees

Plan check fee: No separate plan check fee listed; review cost is folded into application fees
Permit fee formula: Tower Ordinance fees are flat fees by permit type. Land use permit fees for standard residential and commercial structures are not listed on the public fee page as of the date of this research; contact MCPC at 304-284-7302 for current land use permit fee amounts.
Reinspection fee: Not published; contact MCPC
Payment note: Pay in person at the MCPC office. No online payment portal identified.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Maintenance of existing structures not involving structural change (residing, reroofing, replacement of windows or doors in kind)
Maintenance (but not complete removal and replacement) of a deck
Properties located outside any zoned planning district that do not involve a structure requiring a zoning review

Important: Even exempt work may trigger other requirements - always contact the County Assessor (Real Property Improvement Form) and, if applicable, the WV State Fire Marshal or Division of Highways

Inspections

How to Schedule

Monongalia County Planning Commission (phone)
WV State Fire Marshal (for commercial/multi-family): 304-558-2191 (phone)

Inspection hours: MCPC office hours 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday

Typical inspection sequence: No county building code inspection sequence. For State Fire Marshal-required projects: plans review, rough-in inspections, final inspection, certificate of occupancy issued by State Fire Marshal. State Fire Marshal now requires all new plan submissions through the electronic Plan Review Request Portal (mandatory as of March 1, 2025).

Additional Resources

Building code: NO local building code adopted or enforced for unincorporated residential construction. West Virginia State Building Code (2018 IBC, 2018 IRC with amendments) applies statewide and is enforced by the WV State Fire Marshal for commercial, industrial, and multi-family (3+ units) projects.
Verify contractor license: WV Contractor License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
WV State Fire Marshal
WV Division of Highways (encroachment permits for new road access)
County Assessor (Real Property Improvement Form)
Mon County Health Department (septic/wells)
County GIS (zoning map lookup)
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 Monongalia County Planning Commission (MCPC) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Monongalia County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Monongalia County, WV?: A Land Use Permit is required in zoned areas for construction, enlargement, moving, or reconstruction of any structure, or change of use. This includes: new single-family homes and duplexes; accessory structures (sheds, garages) over 100 sq ft; additions increasing gross floor area by more than 100%; commercial and industrial construction; patios over 20x20 feet. Properties outside a zoned planning district may not require a land use permit but still need to comply with other requirements.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Monongalia County, WV?: Fees are calculated as: Tower Ordinance fees are flat fees by permit type. Land use permit fees for standard residential and commercial structures are not listed on the public fee page as of the date of this research; contact MCPC at 304-284-7302 for current land use permit fee amounts.. Plan check fee: No separate plan check fee listed; review cost is folded into application fees.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Monongalia County, WV?: 1. Determine if the property is within a zoned planning district (West Run, Cheat Lake, etc.) using the County GIS map. 2. Identify the correct permit level: Level I (single-family, duplex, accessory structures) or Level II (non-residential, multi-family). 3. Download and complete the appropriate application form from the MCPC website. 4. Prepare a site plan showing property boundaries, dimensions, setbacks, and proposed structure location. 5. Submit the completed application, site plan, and fee to the MCPC office by 12 noon on or before the designated submission deadline. 6. MCPC staff review the application for zoning compliance. Level I applications are typically reviewed administratively; Level II and larger projects may require Planning Commission review at a scheduled meeting. 7. If approved, a Land Use Permit is issued. If denied, applicants may appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals. 8. Post permit on site before beginning work. 9. Separately contact the WV State Fire Marshal (304-558-2191) for building code plan review if the project is commercial, industrial, or multi-family. 10. Separately obtain a Real Property Improvement Form from the County Assessor's Office after construction.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Monongalia County, WV?: Typical processing time is Level I administrative reviews typically 1-2 weeks; Level II or Planning Commission reviews follow the monthly meeting schedule; DSI projects may take 60-90+ days..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Monongalia County, WV?: The following work is generally exempt: Maintenance of existing structures not involving structural change (residing, reroofing, replacement of windows or doors in kind); Maintenance (but not complete removal and replacement) of a deck; Properties located outside any zoned planning district that do not involve a structure requiring a zoning review. Note: Even exempt work may trigger other requirements - always contact the County Assessor (Real Property Improvement Form) and, if applicable, the WV State Fire Marshal or Division of Highways
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Monongalia County, WV?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Monongalia County Planning Commission, WV State Fire Marshal (for commercial/multi-family): 304-558-2191.

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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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