Charleston, WV Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- City Building Department
- Code adopted
- 2018 ICC family + local amendments
- Penalty
- $10–$500 fine, up to 30 days jail
- Appeal path
- Board of Appeals, then Circuit Court
Summary
Charleston requires a building permit before you erect, alter, repair, move, or demolish any structure, since the city has adopted the state building code (2018 ICC family) as its own.
It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, remove, demolish, convert, equip, use, or occupy or maintain any building or structure contrary to or in violation of any provisions of the city building code, or cause, permit or suffer any such violations to be committed.
(Bill. No. 7031, 3-1-2004)
Sec. 14-35. - Administration and enforcement. The primary responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the city building code is vested in the building code official, with the cooperation of the, chief of police, fire chief and other city officers, each within the scope of his official duties.
(Bill. No. 7031, 3-1-2004)
Cross reference— Administration, ch. 2.
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
Charleston adopts the West Virginia State Building Code, the 2018 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Existing Building and Fuel Gas Codes, plus local amendments, as its city building code (Sec. 14-33). Under Sec. 14-35, it's unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, remove, demolish, convert, equip, use, occupy or maintain any building or structure in violation of that adopted code, which is how the permit requirement is triggered before work starts. The Building Department's code official (the building/housing inspector, Sec. 14-31) administers permits and inspections; decisions can be appealed to the city's five-member Board of Appeals within 20 days (Sec. 14-91), then to Kanawha County Circuit Court.
Violations & Fines
Violating the building code is a misdemeanor: $10–$500 fine and/or up to 30 days jail (Sec. 1-8); each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and the code official can also issue stop-work orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What work needs a permit in Charleston?
Who issues building permits in Charleston?
What if I build without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charleston
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