County Building Permits
Raleigh County, WV - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Raleigh County, West Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties in unincorporated Raleigh County areas.
- Department
- Raleigh County Building Code Office
- Address
- 203 South Eisenhower Drive, Beckley, WV 25801
- Phone
- (304) 255-9388
Application Process
- Determine zoning classification and use for your property.
- Contact the Building Code Office to verify permit requirements and obtain application form.
- Prepare required documentation per the Building Code Office checklist.
- Submit completed application and all required documents in person.
- Pay applicable permit fees based on $100/sq ft estimated cost if not provided by applicant.
- Contractor must be registered with the Building Code Office before work begins.
- Schedule and pass required inspections.
- Obtain Certificate of Occupancy upon final inspection.
Typical processing time: Processing time varies; contact office for specifics.
General Requirements
Permits are required for new construction, additions or enlargements, renovations/alterations, demolition, and substantial property modifications in unincorporated Raleigh County.
Required Documents
- Tax map, parcel, and lot information
- Zoning classification, use, and setback approval
- Property boundary survey or description
- Approved potable water and sanitary sewer service plans
- Flood plain elevation certificate (if in FEMA flood zone)
- Street address verification by Raleigh County EOC
- Storm water retention and dispersal approval
- Contractor and subcontractor license verification
- Electrician, plumber, and/or mechanic license verification (if applicable)
- Fire Marshal inspection and approval report (for certain building types)
- Building code
- West Virginia State Building Code (2018 version), including IBC 2018, IRC 2018, International Existing Building Code 2018, International Plumbing Code 2018, International Mechanical Code 2018, International Energy Conservation Code 2018, Property Maintenance Code 2018
- Contractor requirements
- Contractor must be registered with the Building Code Office before work begins.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- $100.00 per square foot of estimated construction cost; if applicant provides estimated cost, fees calculated on actual estimate
- Payment note
- Contact Building Code Office at (304) 255-9388 for specific project fee estimates.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Raleigh County Building Code Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (304) 255-9388 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Required inspection stages: footing/foundation, concrete slab and under-floor, lowest floor elevation (in flood hazard areas), framing, gypsum board and fire-rating (if applicable), energy efficiency and insulation, plumbing (if applicable), mechanical (if applicable), electrical (if applicable), and final inspection with Certificate of Occupancy issuance.
Additional Resources
- Building code: West Virginia State Building Code (2018 version), including IBC 2018, IRC 2018, International Existing Building Code 2018, International Plumbing Code 2018, International Mechanical Code 2018, International Energy Conservation Code 2018, Property Maintenance Code 2018
- Verify contractor license: WV Contractors State Licensing Board Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- WV Geological & Economic Survey Mine Information Database
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- WV 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 Raleigh County Building Code Office before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Raleigh County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Raleigh County, WV?
- Permits are required for new construction, additions or enlargements, renovations/alterations, demolition, and substantial property modifications in unincorporated Raleigh County.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Raleigh County, WV?
- Fees are calculated as: $100.00 per square foot of estimated construction cost; if applicant provides estimated cost, fees calculated on actual estimate.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Raleigh County, WV?
- 1. Determine zoning classification and use for your property. 2. Contact the Building Code Office to verify permit requirements and obtain application form. 3. Prepare required documentation per the Building Code Office checklist. 4. Submit completed application and all required documents in person. 5. Pay applicable permit fees based on $100/sq ft estimated cost if not provided by applicant. 6. Contractor must be registered with the Building Code Office before work begins. 7. Schedule and pass required inspections. 8. Obtain Certificate of Occupancy upon final inspection.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Raleigh County, WV?
- Typical processing time is Processing time varies; contact office for specifics..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Raleigh County, WV?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (304) 255-9388.
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