How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Franklin, WV?

1. Confirm the property is located within Franklin town limits. 2. Review applicable municipal ordinances, particularly Chapter 10 (Zoning Ordinance) and any building or development overlay provisions. 3. Verify contractor licensing requirements: West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board requires licensure for projects $5,000+ (residential) or $25,000+ (commercial). 4. Gather required documentation: site plans, construction drawings, contractor license, and trade permits as applicable. 5. Contact the Town of Franklin or the Pendleton County Commission to obtain current application forms and fee information. 6. Submit permit application and fees to the appropriate town or county office in person or by mail. 7. Schedule and pass required inspections (footing, framing, rough MEP, final) before commencing and completing work.

What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Franklin, WV?

The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings and structures utilized exclusively for agricultural purposes (exempt from West Virginia State Building Code provisions but subject to zoning and health department requirements). Note: The Town of Franklin's Chapter 10 Zoning Ordinance may include overlay districts, special use provisions, or exemptions specific to the town's character. Verify with the Town of Franklin before proceeding with projects claiming exempt status.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Franklin, WV?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Town of Franklin or Pendleton County Commission: 304-358-7573, Town Hall, Franklin, WV 26807.

City Building Permits

Town of Franklin, WV - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

West Virginia Pendleton County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated limits of the Town of Franklin.

Department: Town of Franklin Municipal Government
Address: Town Hall, Franklin, WV 26807 (PO Box 187, Franklin, WV 26807)
Phone: 304-358-7573
Website: https://www.townfranklinwv.com

Online Permit Portal

Open Town of Franklin Website

Platform: In-Person or Phone Application • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Confirm the property is located within Franklin town limits.
Review applicable municipal ordinances, particularly Chapter 10 (Zoning Ordinance) and any building or development overlay provisions.
Verify contractor licensing requirements: West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board requires licensure for projects $5,000+ (residential) or $25,000+ (commercial).
Gather required documentation: site plans, construction drawings, contractor license, and trade permits as applicable.
Contact the Town of Franklin or the Pendleton County Commission to obtain current application forms and fee information.
Submit permit application and fees to the appropriate town or county office in person or by mail.
Schedule and pass required inspections (footing, framing, rough MEP, final) before commencing and completing work.

Typical processing time: Processing timeline varies; contact the Town of Franklin or Pendleton County Commission for current estimates.

Source: Town of Franklin Municipal Government

General Requirements

Building permits are required for all new construction with permanent foundations, major building improvements or renovations, structure relocation, and demolition within the Town of Franklin.

Required Documents

Completed permit application
Site plans and construction drawings
Zoning compliance verification (Chapter 10 - Zoning Ordinance)
Proof of contractor licensure (if applicable)
Trade-specific permits as required

Building code: West Virginia State Building Code (2018 International Residential Code with modifications), as adopted by the Town of Franklin and administered by the West Virginia State Fire Commission.
Owner-builder: Owner-builders are subject to West Virginia licensing requirements if project value exceeds $5,000 (residential) or $25,000 (commercial).
Contractor requirements: Contractors must hold valid West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board licensure for projects $5,000+ (residential) or $25,000+ (commercial). Written contracts required for projects $10,000+ (materials + labor).

Fees

Payment note: Fees must be obtained by contacting the Town of Franklin (townfranklinwv.com or 304-358-7573) or the Pendleton County Commission (304-358-2505, countyclerk@pencowv.com). Fees typically correlate to project valuation and structure type (residential vs. commercial).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Franklin Municipal Government to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Town of Franklin or Pendleton County Commission: 304-358-7573 (phone)
Town Hall, Franklin, WV 26807 (in-person)

Typical inspection sequence: Standard sequence: foundational/footing inspection, framing inspection, rough MEP inspection, final inspection. All inspections verify compliance with West Virginia State Building Code (2018 IRC), Town of Franklin zoning ordinances (Chapter 10), and health department requirements.

Additional Resources

Building code: West Virginia State Building Code (2018 International Residential Code with modifications), as adopted by the Town of Franklin and administered by the West Virginia State Fire Commission.
Verify contractor license: West Virginia Department of Labor - Contractor Licensing Board
Zoning information: View zoning info
Town of Franklin - Chapter 10 Zoning Ordinance
Pendleton County Floodplain Administrator (Emergency Management)
FEMA Flood Map Service Center
West Virginia 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 Town of Franklin Municipal Government before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Franklin Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Franklin, WV?: Building permits are required for all new construction with permanent foundations, major building improvements or renovations, structure relocation, and demolition within the Town of Franklin.
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Franklin, WV?: 1. Confirm the property is located within Franklin town limits. 2. Review applicable municipal ordinances, particularly Chapter 10 (Zoning Ordinance) and any building or development overlay provisions. 3. Verify contractor licensing requirements: West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board requires licensure for projects $5,000+ (residential) or $25,000+ (commercial). 4. Gather required documentation: site plans, construction drawings, contractor license, and trade permits as applicable. 5. Contact the Town of Franklin or the Pendleton County Commission to obtain current application forms and fee information. 6. Submit permit application and fees to the appropriate town or county office in person or by mail. 7. Schedule and pass required inspections (footing, framing, rough MEP, final) before commencing and completing work.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Franklin, WV?: Typical processing time is Processing timeline varies; contact the Town of Franklin or Pendleton County Commission for current estimates..
What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Franklin, WV?: The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings and structures utilized exclusively for agricultural purposes (exempt from West Virginia State Building Code provisions but subject to zoning and health department requirements). Note: The Town of Franklin's Chapter 10 Zoning Ordinance may include overlay districts, special use provisions, or exemptions specific to the town's character. Verify with the Town of Franklin before proceeding with projects claiming exempt status.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Franklin, WV?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Town of Franklin or Pendleton County Commission: 304-358-7573, Town Hall, Franklin, WV 26807.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Town of Franklin can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works

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.

Other cities in Pendleton County

Unincorporated Area

View all Pendleton County jurisdictions →