County Building Permits
Preston County, WV - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Preston County, West Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas of Preston County.
- Department
- Preston County Commission
- Address
- 106 W. Main Street, Suite 202, Kingwood, WV 26537
- Phone
- (304) 329-1805
- Website
- https://prestoncountywv.gov/
Application Process
- Contact Preston County Commission to determine permit requirements
- Complete permit application forms (obtain from county office)
- Submit application with required documentation to county office
- County reviews application for compliance with applicable codes and standards
- Permit issued upon approval
Typical processing time: 2-4 weeks minimum; varies by project scope
Source: Preston County Commission
General Requirements
Building permit required for residential structures (new construction, additions, major renovations), commercial and industrial structures, garages and detached structures with plumbing, additions and finished basements, plumbing/mechanical/electrical work, fences exceeding 6 feet, swimming pools and hot tubs, wood stoves and fuel-burning equipment, sheds with plumbing or septic connections.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Project description and cost estimate
- Contractor information (if applicable)
- Owner/applicant identification
- Property identification
- Building code
- West Virginia State Building Code (2018 International Building Code and 2018 International Residential Code with amendments)
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may perform owner-builder work; written affidavit required if not licensed contractor.
- Contractor requirements
- Projects exceeding $5,000 require licensed West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (WVCLB) contractor.
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact Preston County Commission at (304) 329-1805 for current fee schedule based on project scope and cost. Septic tank registration fee: $30.00 per tank. Septic system permits: $100-$400 (estimated range).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Preston County Commission to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (304) 329-1805 (phone)
- Preston County Commission office (in-person)
- Inspection hours
- Typical business hours; contact county for specifics
Typical inspection sequence: Inspection requirements depend on permit type and project scope: building inspections at various stages (foundation, framing, rough-in, final); final inspection required before occupancy; septic system inspections by health department if applicable; electrical/plumbing inspections by inspector if those trades are part of project.
Additional Resources
- Building code: West Virginia State Building Code (2018 International Building Code and 2018 International Residential Code with amendments)
- Verify contractor license: WVCLB License Lookup
- WV State Fire Marshal
- WV Flood Tool (mapwv.gov/flood)
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- WV DEP - Stormwater Program
- 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 Preston County Commission before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Preston County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Preston County, WV?
- Building permit required for residential structures (new construction, additions, major renovations), commercial and industrial structures, garages and detached structures with plumbing, additions and finished basements, plumbing/mechanical/electrical work, fences exceeding 6 feet, swimming pools and hot tubs, wood stoves and fuel-burning equipment, sheds with plumbing or septic connections.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Preston County, WV?
- 1. Contact Preston County Commission to determine permit requirements 2. Complete permit application forms (obtain from county office) 3. Submit application with required documentation to county office 4. County reviews application for compliance with applicable codes and standards 5. Permit issued upon approval
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Preston County, WV?
- Typical processing time is 2-4 weeks minimum; varies by project scope.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Preston County, WV?
- The following work is generally exempt: Structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes are exempt from West Virginia State Building Code requirements. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from septic, zoning, or environmental requirements. Septic system requirements enforced separately by Preston County Health Department if plumbing or septic connections involved.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Preston County, WV?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (304) 329-1805, Preston County Commission office.
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