County Building Permits
Putnam County, WV - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Putnam County, West Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Buffalo is an unincorporated area of Putnam County near the Kanawha River. Building permits are issued by the Putnam County Office of Planning & Infrastructure.
- Department
- Putnam County Office of Planning & Infrastructure
- Address
- 12093 Winfield Road, Winfield, WV 25213
- Phone
- (304) 586-0237
Online Permit Portal
Platform: CitizenServe • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Application Process
- Determine permit requirements by consulting Putnam County zoning ordinances and floodplain rules.
- Prepare application materials including site plans and project description.
- Submit application through CitizenServe portal or in-person at 12093 Winfield Road.
- Pay applicable permit fees via portal or in-person.
- Attend pre-construction meeting if required.
- Receive permit approval notification.
- Schedule required inspections as work progresses.
- Obtain final approval or Certificate of Occupancy upon inspection completion.
General Requirements
A development permit is required for permanent structure construction, structures involving excavation or grading, all structures in mapped floodplain areas, and projects with utilities.
Required Documents
- Development permit application
- Site plan
- Project description
- Elevation Certificate (for structures in floodplain)
- Building code
- West Virginia State Building Code based on 2018 International Building Code with modifications.
- Contractor requirements
- Proof of valid contractor license required per West Virginia Code Article 30-42.
Fees
- Payment note
- For current fee schedule information, contact Putnam County Office of Planning & Infrastructure at (304) 586-0237 or visit CitizenServe portal.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Putnam County Office of Planning & Infrastructure to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- CitizenServe portal (online)
- (304) 586-0237 (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: pre-construction meeting, foundation/footer, framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC/mechanical, insulation, final/Certificate of Occupancy. Additional floodplain inspections may be required.
Additional Resources
- Building code: West Virginia State Building Code based on 2018 International Building Code with modifications.
- Verify contractor license: WV Contractor Licensing Board
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Putnam County Floodplain Management Ordinance
- WV Flood Tool - Interactive Floodplain Mapping
- FEMA Flood Maps
- 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 Putnam County Office of Planning & Infrastructure before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Putnam County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Putnam County, WV?
- A development permit is required for permanent structure construction, structures involving excavation or grading, all structures in mapped floodplain areas, and projects with utilities.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Putnam County, WV?
- 1. Determine permit requirements by consulting Putnam County zoning ordinances and floodplain rules. 2. Prepare application materials including site plans and project description. 3. Submit application through CitizenServe portal or in-person at 12093 Winfield Road. 4. Pay applicable permit fees via portal or in-person. 5. Attend pre-construction meeting if required. 6. Receive permit approval notification. 7. Schedule required inspections as work progresses. 8. Obtain final approval or Certificate of Occupancy upon inspection completion.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Putnam County, WV?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: CitizenServe portal, (304) 586-0237.
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