Charleston, WV Animal Ordinances: Coyote Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Hunting
- Permit-only, city-approved tracts
- Dwelling buffer
- 150 feet minimum
- School buffer
- 500 feet minimum
- Coyote weapon
- .22+ caliber air rifle allowed
- Max permit fee
- $25.00
Summary
Charleston runs a permit-only urban hunt for deer, bear, and coyote, letting the city manager designate tracts and letting hunters use an air rifle on coyotes under strict distance and safety limits.
An urban hunt shall be lawful in the City of Charleston only under the following conditions:(1)Hunting shall be by permit only issued under the terms of this chapter.(2)The hunt shall be for deer, bear, and coyote only.(3)Only bows, crossbows, arrows and bolts that comply with applicable state statutes, rules and regulations may be used, provided that a person may hunt coyote with an air rifle of .22 caliber or larger and such person hunting coyote with an air rifle is subject to all other rifle and firearm hunting regulations as required by W. Va. Code ch. 20 and any rules promulgated thereunder.(4)Hunting may occur only on property with the written permission of the property owner and on city-owned property which has been designated as available for hunting by the city manager.(5)All deer and bear harvested must be electronically registered through the West Virginia Electronic Licensing System (ELS) and reported to the city.(6)No hunting may take place within 150 feet of a dwelling or other occupied building.(7)No hunting shall take place closer than 500 feet from the property boundary of school property which contains a school building.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 56).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 10-171, urban hunting of deer, bear, and coyote is lawful only with a city permit, on approved private tracts of five-plus contiguous acres or designated city-owned land. Hunters use bows, crossbows, or (for coyote only) a .22-caliber-or-larger air rifle from an elevated stand at least ten feet high. Hunting is barred within 150 feet of any dwelling and 500 feet of a school building. Coyote hunts run on the same permitted days as the deer/bear season but may occur at night; the city manager sets permit numbers and can charge up to $25.00 per permit.
Violations & Fines
Hunting without a permit, inside the 150-foot dwelling or 500-foot school buffer, or outside permit terms is a misdemeanor under the general penalty in Sec. 1-8, on top of any state hunting-law penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I shoot a coyote in my Charleston backyard?
What weapon can I use on coyotes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charleston
Compare Charleston to another location·View the West Virginia animal ordinances overview
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