Monroe County, WV — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Monroe County Commission - Building Commission

Street address

350 Main Street, Union, WV 24983

Phone

(304) 772-3096

Coverage

All unincorporated areas within Monroe County.

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Monroe County

Permits are required for garage construction (new, additions, relocations), permanent or portable sheds, general building and construction projects, land development and site improvements, demolitions and renovations, and property improvements.

Scope of work

Permit?

Agricultural buildings and structures used primarily for agricultural purposes, including agritourism (exempt from State Fire Code)

Exempt

State Fire Marshal has no jurisdiction over one- to two-family dwellings

Exempt

State Fire Code does not apply to personal care homes caring for three or fewer patients

Exempt

Exempt Agricultural buildings and structures used primarily for agricultural purposes, including agritourism (exempt from State Fire Code)
Exempt State Fire Marshal has no jurisdiction over one- to two-family dwellings
Exempt State Fire Code does not apply to personal care homes caring for three or fewer patients

Note: Exemptions from building permits do not mean exemptions from zoning, floodplain, or other regulatory requirements. Confirm flood zone status and historic district applicability with Monroe County Commission before proceeding.

Required documents

Completed Improvement Location Permit (ILP) application form
Site plan
Parcel number and deed reference
Project description
Estimated project cost

Building code: West Virginia State Building Code 2018 (based on IBC 2018 and IRC 2018 with state amendments); West Virginia State Fire Code 2018 (effective August 1, 2022)
Contractor requirements: Contractors must hold a valid West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board license if project cost exceeds $2,500 for residential or $5,000 for commercial work.

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Contact Monroe County Commission Building Commission at (304) 772-3096 or visit in person at 350 Main Street, Union, WV 24983
02

Obtain and complete the Improvement Location Permit (ILP) application form
03

Provide site plan, parcel number, deed reference, and project description with estimated cost
04

Pay the applicable permit fee based on flood zone status and property use
05

Submit application for building inspector review
06

Receive permit approval notification
07

Obtain approved permit before beginning construction
08

Request required inspections at appropriate stages (site inspection, code enforcement, final occupancy)

§ 04

Fee schedule

Monroe County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Permit fee formula

Outside Flood Zones: Residential/Agricultural $5, Commercial $50; Inside Flood Zones: Residential/Agricultural $50, Commercial $100 or 1% of project cost (maximum $1,000)

Fee based on flood zone designation and property use type; flood zone status must be verified with county; site inspection by County Floodplain Coordinator required if applicable

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(304) 772-3096 (phone)
Monroe County Commission, 350 Main Street, Union, WV 24983 (in-person)

Inspection hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Typical sequence: Required inspection stages include: site inspection and approval by County Floodplain Coordinator (for flood zone properties), code enforcement inspections during construction, and final occupancy inspection where applicable.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Monroe County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, WV? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Monroe County, WV? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Monroe County, WV are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Outside Flood Zones: Residential/Agricultural $5, Commercial $50; Inside Flood Zones: Residential/Agricultural $50, Commercial $100 or 1% of project cost (maximum $1,000).

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, WV? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, WV, follow these steps: 1. Contact Monroe County Commission Building Commission at (304) 772-3096 or visit in person at 350 Main Street, Union, WV 24983 2. Obtain and complete the Improvement Location Permit (ILP) application form 3. Provide site plan, parcel number, deed reference, and project description with estimated cost 4. Pay the applicable permit fee based on flood zone status and property use 5. Submit application for building inspector review 6. Receive permit approval notification 7. Obtain approved permit before beginning construction 8. Request required inspections at appropriate stages (site inspection, code enforcement, final occupancy)

04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Monroe County, WV? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Monroe County, WV. The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings and structures used primarily for agricultural purposes, including agritourism (exempt from State Fire Code); State Fire Marshal has no jurisdiction over one- to two-family dwellings; State Fire Code does not apply to personal care homes caring for three or fewer patients. Note: Exemptions from building permits do not mean exemptions from zoning, floodplain, or other regulatory requirements. Confirm flood zone status and historic district applicability with Monroe County Commission before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Monroe County, WV? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Monroe County, WV via: (304) 772-3096, Monroe County Commission, 350 Main Street, Union, WV 24983.

last verified April 2026 entry id permits/west-virginia/monroe/unincorporated

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Monroe County Commission - Building Commission before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Monroe County