County Building Permits
Morgan County, WV - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Morgan County, West Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas of Morgan County, West Virginia.
- Department
- Morgan County Planning Commission
- Address
- 35 North Mercer Street, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
- Phone
- 304-258-8540
- Website
- https://morgancountywv.gov/
Application Process
- Determine if an Improvement Location Permit (ILP) is required for your project.
- Gather required documentation: well permits, septic permits, highway entrance permits (if applicable), blueprints, floor plans, photographs.
- Complete the Improvement Location Permit application form.
- Submit application to Morgan County Planning Commission with required attachments in person or by mail.
- Planning Commission reviews application for compliance with county code.
- Permit is issued upon approval.
- Schedule required inspections before construction and at completion.
General Requirements
A permit is required for construction of any structure (houses, additions, sheds, garages, decks, porches, pools, concrete pads), installation of pre-built structures (modulars, double-wides, mobile homes, sheds, RVs), improvements costing more than $1,000 (billboards/signs, indoor or outdoor improvements, fences, roofs, siding, driveways, windows, doors), demolition or tearing down any structure, and land disturbance activities.
Required Documents
- Improvement Location Permit application form
- Well permits (if applicable)
- Septic permits (if applicable)
- Highway entrance permits (if applicable)
- Blueprints and floor plans
- Photographs of project site
- Building code
- West Virginia State Building Code (based on IBC/IRC editions adopted by West Virginia Fire Commission)
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold valid West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board license for projects meeting threshold requirements: residential projects $2,500 or more, commercial $5,000 or more, electrical work $1,000 or more.
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact Morgan County Planning Commission at 304-258-8540 for current fee schedule details.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Morgan County Planning Commission to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Morgan County Planning Commission (304-258-8540) (phone)
- Inspection hours
- 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday–Friday
Typical inspection sequence: Required inspections include: foundation/footing inspection (before concrete pour or upon completion), framing inspection (after rough framing), MEP inspection (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) at rough-in stage, final inspection (upon project completion, before occupancy), and floodplain inspections (if project is in FEMA flood zone).
Additional Resources
- Building code: West Virginia State Building Code (based on IBC/IRC editions adopted by West Virginia Fire Commission)
- Verify contractor license: WV Contractor Licensing Board
- WV State Fire Marshal
- WV DEP Stormwater Program
- WV Flood Tool
- 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 Morgan County Planning Commission before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Morgan County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Morgan County, WV?
- A permit is required for construction of any structure (houses, additions, sheds, garages, decks, porches, pools, concrete pads), installation of pre-built structures (modulars, double-wides, mobile homes, sheds, RVs), improvements costing more than $1,000 (billboards/signs, indoor or outdoor improvements, fences, roofs, siding, driveways, windows, doors), demolition or tearing down any structure, and land disturbance activities.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Morgan County, WV?
- 1. Determine if an Improvement Location Permit (ILP) is required for your project. 2. Gather required documentation: well permits, septic permits, highway entrance permits (if applicable), blueprints, floor plans, photographs. 3. Complete the Improvement Location Permit application form. 4. Submit application to Morgan County Planning Commission with required attachments in person or by mail. 5. Planning Commission reviews application for compliance with county code. 6. Permit is issued upon approval. 7. Schedule required inspections before construction and at completion.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Morgan County, WV?
- The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings and structures utilized exclusively for agricultural purposes are exempt from provisions of the State Building Code.. Note: Agricultural exemptions are determined at the state level. Confirm eligibility with Morgan County Planning Commission before proceeding.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Morgan County, WV?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Morgan County Planning Commission (304-258-8540).
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