Pendleton County, WV - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas within Pendleton County, excluding incorporated Town of Franklin.

Department

Pendleton County Commission and County Clerk

Address

100 South Main Street, PO Box 187, Franklin, WV 26807

Phone

304-358-7573

Email

countyclerk@pencowv.com

Website

https://pencowv.com

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Verify project location is in unincorporated Pendleton County (not within Town of Franklin).
2. Check property zoning compliance through Pendleton County Development Services or the WV Property Viewer.
3. Confirm 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, proof of contractor licensure (if applicable), and any trade-specific permits.
5. Contact Pendleton County Commission at 304-358-7573 to confirm current permit application procedures and fee requirements.
6. Submit permit application and fees to the County Clerk's office in person or by mail.
7. Schedule and pass required inspections (footing, framing, rough MEP, final) before commencing and completing work.

Typical processing time: Processing timeline varies; contact county for current estimates.

Source: Pendleton County Commission and County Clerk

General Requirements

Building permits are required for all new construction with permanent foundations, major building improvements or renovations, structure relocation, and demolition in unincorporated Pendleton County.

Required Documents

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

Building code

West Virginia State Building Code (2018 International Residential Code with modifications), 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 Pendleton County Clerk at 304-358-2505 or countyclerk@pencowv.com. Fees typically correlate to project valuation and structure type (residential vs. commercial).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Pendleton County Commission and County Clerk to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Pendleton County Commission: 304-358-7573 (phone)
• County Clerk's Office, 100 South Main Street, 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), local zoning ordinances, and health department requirements.

Additional Resources

• Building code: West Virginia State Building Code (2018 International Residential Code with modifications), administered by the West Virginia State Fire Commission.
• Verify contractor license: West Virginia Department of Labor - Contractor Licensing Board
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Pendleton County Floodplain Administrator (Emergency Management)
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• West Virginia Flood Tool
• Monongahela National Forest - Permits
• License lookup guide: West Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: West Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• West Virginia hub: West Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Pendleton County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Pendleton County, WV?

Building permits are required for all new construction with permanent foundations, major building improvements or renovations, structure relocation, and demolition in unincorporated Pendleton County.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Pendleton County, WV?

1. Verify project location is in unincorporated Pendleton County (not within Town of Franklin). 2. Check property zoning compliance through Pendleton County Development Services or the WV Property Viewer. 3. Confirm 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, proof of contractor licensure (if applicable), and any trade-specific permits. 5. Contact Pendleton County Commission at 304-358-7573 to confirm current permit application procedures and fee requirements. 6. Submit permit application and fees to the County Clerk's 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 unincorporated Pendleton County, WV?

Typical processing time is Processing timeline varies; contact county for current estimates..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Pendleton County, 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: Exemptions are limited. Verify with Pendleton County Commission before proceeding with projects claiming exempt status.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Pendleton County Commission: 304-358-7573, County Clerk's Office, 100 South Main Street, Franklin, WV 26807.