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County building permits

Unincorporated Upshur County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Upshur County, West Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Min. permit fee
$15
Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Upshur County Commission — Addressing & Mapping, Building Permits and Floodplain Management Department

Street address
38 West Main Street, Room 303, Buckhannon, WV 26201
Coverage
All unincorporated areas of Upshur County, West Virginia.
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Upshur County

Building permits required for all new construction and additions in unincorporated Upshur County.

Structures under $250 construction value (exempt from fees but still require permit application)
  • Exempt Structures under $250 construction value (exempt from fees but still require permit application)

Note: Specific exemptions and edge cases vary; confirm with the Building Permits office before proceeding.

Required documents
  • Completed building permit application
  • Site plan
  • Floor plans and elevation drawings
  • Proof of property ownership
  • Construction cost estimate
Building code
West Virginia State Building Code (2015 IRC with modifications per WV State Fire Commission). Chapter 11 (Energy Efficiency) replaced with 2009 IECC.
Permit validity
Permit validity period and expiration rules are enforced by the county permit office; contact for specific details.
Contractor requirements
Any contractor performing work valued at $2,500 or more (including labor and materials) must hold a valid West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (WVCLB) license.
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Processing time varies; contact permit office for estimates.

  1. 01
    Contact the Upshur County Building Permits office at (304) 472-1673 to determine permit requirements for your project.
  2. 02
    Complete the applicable building permit application form (available from the permit office).
  3. 03
    Gather required documentation (site plan, floor plans, elevation drawings, proof of property ownership).
  4. 04
    Submit completed application and documentation to the permit office in person or by mail.
  5. 05
    Pay required permit fees.
  6. 06
    Await review and approval; applicant may be contacted with questions or requests for additional information.
  7. 07
    Once approved, permit is issued and construction may begin.
  8. 08
    Schedule required inspections at appropriate stages of construction.

Typical processing time: Processing time varies; contact permit office for estimates.

§ 04

Fee schedule

Upshur County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$15
02
Permit fee formula
Scale-up based on construction value and square footage. Structures under $250 construction value may be exempt from fees but still require application.

Fees payable upon application submission. Contact permit office for accepted payment methods and specific fee schedule.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (304) 472-1673 (phone)
Scheduling deadline
Inspector must be contacted 24 hours in advance to schedule each inspection.
Inspection hours
Standard business hours; contact office for specific hours of operation.

Typical sequence: Standard inspection sequence: pre-construction/foundation, framing, rough-in (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), final.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Upshur County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Upshur County, WV?
Building permits required for all new construction and additions in unincorporated Upshur County.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Upshur County, WV?
Building permit fees in unincorporated Upshur County, WV are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $15. Fees are calculated as: Scale-up based on construction value and square footage. Structures under $250 construction value may be exempt from fees but still require application..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Upshur County, WV?
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Upshur County, WV, follow these steps: 1. Contact the Upshur County Building Permits office at (304) 472-1673 to determine permit requirements for your project. 2. Complete the applicable building permit application form (available from the permit office). 3. Gather required documentation (site plan, floor plans, elevation drawings, proof of property ownership). 4. Submit completed application and documentation to the permit office in person or by mail. 5. Pay required permit fees. 6. Await review and approval; applicant may be contacted with questions or requests for additional information. 7. Once approved, permit is issued and construction may begin. 8. Schedule required inspections at appropriate stages of construction.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Upshur County, WV?
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Upshur County, WV typically run Processing time varies; contact permit office for estimates.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Upshur County, WV?
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Upshur County, WV. The following work is generally exempt: Structures under $250 construction value (exempt from fees but still require permit application). Note: Specific exemptions and edge cases vary; confirm with the Building Permits office before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Upshur County, WV?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Upshur County, WV via: (304) 472-1673. Inspector must be contacted 24 hours in advance to schedule each inspection..
last verified April 2026 entry id permits/west-virginia/upshur/unincorporated

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Upshur County Commission — Addressing & Mapping, Building Permits and Floodplain Management Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.