St. Marys, WV — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City Manager / Building Department

Street address

City Hall, St. Marys, WV 26170

Phone

(304) 684-2401

Coverage

All properties within the incorporated City of St. Marys.

Online portal

Online Payment Portal

go.wv.gov

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for St. Marys

All construction, improvements, and structural modifications within city limits require a building permit.

Scope of work

Permit?

Structures for exclusive agricultural use exempt from state building code (if applicable to rural areas within city limits).

Exempt

Exempt Structures for exclusive agricultural use exempt from state building code (if applicable to rural areas within city limits).

Note: City operates within county floodplain management ordinance. St. Marys is situated along Ohio River; floodplain assessment may be required for properties in mapped flood zones.

Required documents

Completed Building Permit Application form
Project description
Cost estimate
City License Application (if contractor involved)
Business & Occupation Tax form (if contractor involved)

Building code: West Virginia Residential Code 2018 (IRC 2018 based); West Virginia Building Code 2018 (IBC 2018 based)
Contractor requirements: Any contractor performing work must hold valid West Virginia contractor license. Thresholds: $2,500+ (residential), $5,000+ (commercial electrical).

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Processing time not specified; contact city office for details.

01

Contact City Manager at (304) 684-2401 for application requirements.
02

Complete Building Permit Application form.
03

Prepare project description and cost estimate (critical for fee calculation).
04

If contractor is involved, also complete City License Application and obtain Business & Occupation Tax form.
05

Submit all forms and documentation to City Manager.
06

City Manager reviews permit application.
07

Upon approval, work may commence.

Typical processing time: Processing time not specified; contact city office for details.

§ 04

Fee schedule

St. Marys building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$20.00

Permit fee formula

$20.00 for first $10,000 of project cost, then $1.00 per each additional $1,000. Example: $15,000 project = $20 + $5 = $25; $25,000 project = $20 + $15 = $35

Contractor City Business License: $16.00. Business & Occupation Tax: 1% of gross project amount (if contractor involved). Online payment convenience fee: $1.00 + 2.2% of transaction amount when paying via go.wv.gov/stmarys.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(304) 684-2401 (phone)

Typical sequence: City Manager or designated inspector conducts permit application review. Specific inspection stages not detailed; contact City Manager for construction phase requirements. Final inspection required before occupancy.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about St. Marys permits

01 Do I need a building permit in St. Marys, WV? ▸

All construction, improvements, and structural modifications within city limits require a building permit.

02 How much does a building permit cost in St. Marys, WV? ▸

Building permit fees in St. Marys, WV are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $20.00. Fees are calculated as: $20.00 for first $10,000 of project cost, then $1.00 per each additional $1,000. Example: $15,000 project = $20 + $5 = $25; $25,000 project = $20 + $15 = $35.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in St. Marys, WV? ▸

To apply for a building permit in St. Marys, WV, follow these steps: 1. Contact City Manager at (304) 684-2401 for application requirements. 2. Complete Building Permit Application form. 3. Prepare project description and cost estimate (critical for fee calculation). 4. If contractor is involved, also complete City License Application and obtain Business & Occupation Tax form. 5. Submit all forms and documentation to City Manager. 6. City Manager reviews permit application. 7. Upon approval, work may commence.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in St. Marys, WV? ▸

Building permit processing times in St. Marys, WV typically run Processing time not specified; contact city office for details.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in St. Marys, WV? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in St. Marys, WV. The following work is generally exempt: Structures for exclusive agricultural use exempt from state building code (if applicable to rural areas within city limits).. Note: City operates within county floodplain management ordinance. St. Marys is situated along Ohio River; floodplain assessment may be required for properties in mapped flood zones. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in St. Marys, WV? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in St. Marys, WV via: (304) 684-2401.

last verified April 2026 entry id permits/west-virginia/pleasants/st-marys

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City Manager / Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of St. Marys

Other jurisdictions in Pleasants County.