Building Safety in Charleston, WV (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for Charleston, West Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Childcare Center Rules
Family day care facilities and homes in Charleston need health, building, and fire sign-off plus dedicated drop-off parking before they can operate.
Charleston Childcare Facility Siting Rules
Some RestrictionsSec. 3-060(22)
Family day care facilities and Family day care homes shall comply with the following: a. The City-County Health Department shall approve the proposed plans b. The Building Commissioner and Fire Inspection Bureau shall approve the proposed plans. c. The use shall not constitute a nuisance because of traffic, the number of persons being cared for, noise, or types of physical ac...
Door Locking Hardware
Charleston requires every business's exterior doors to carry police-chief-approved locking hardware, deadbolts, guarded latches, or padlocked bars, under the city's security-against-unauthorized-entry code.
Charleston Sets Business Door Lock Specs
Some RestrictionsCity Code Sec. 14-186
All exterior openings of any building used for business purposes and subject to the provisions of this article and not otherwise protected by photoelectric, ultrasonic or other intrusion detection devices, approved by the chief of police, shall be secured as provided in this section.(b)Front doors. All front doors of any such building or premises shall comply with the following requirements:(1)...
Building Permits
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.
Charleston Building Permits: When Required
Some RestrictionsSec. 14-35 (Violation), Charleston City Code, Ch. 14 Art. II
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 pr...
Electrical Permits
Charleston enacts the state building code under Sec. 14-33, which adopts the 2020 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) with two local amendments easing GFCI and AFCI rules for certain HVAC and renovation work.
Charleston Adopts 2020 National Electrical Code
Some RestrictionsSec. 14-33
There is adopted the state building code as authorized by W. Va. Code § 8-12-13 ... the provisions of such code sections and regulations shall be controlling within the city. ... 2020 National Electrical Code, NFPA 70: [insert] 4.1.m.1 Section 201.8(F) GFCI Protection shall not be required on all new mini-split heating/ventilation/air-conditioning (HVAC equipment and other HVAC units employing ...
Plumbing Permits
Charleston adopts the state building code by reference, including the 2018 International Plumbing Code with city-specific amendments, so plumbing work here is permitted and inspected under that adopted code rather than a standalone local plumbing ordinance.
Charleston Plumbing Permits Follow Adopted Code
Some RestrictionsSec. 14-33
There is adopted the state building code as authorized by W. Va. Code § 8-12-13 and promulgated pursuant to W. Va. Code § 15A-11-5... which are collectively adopted by reference as if fully restated herein, and the provisions of such code sections and regulations shall be controlling within the city. ... International Plumbing Code 2018: Section 101.1 Insert "the City of Charleston"
Building Inspections
The City of Charleston's code official can enter buildings and structures at reasonable times to conduct building-code inspections once granted permission, and can seek a municipal court search warrant if an owner refuses entry.
Charleston Building Inspector's Right of Entry
Some RestrictionsSec. 14-1, Charleston Code of Ordinances
Upon presentation of proper credentials, the code official of the city or his or her assistant or designee, may, where permission is granted, enter at reasonable times any building, structure or premises in the city to perform any duty imposed on him by the building code. If any owner, occupant or other person in charge of a building...fails or refuses to permit free access and entry..., the co...
Looking for Kanawha County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Charleston city rules.
Building Safety in Kanawha County →