5 rules for unincorporated Kanawha County, West Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
West Virginia has no statewide ADU mandate, and unincorporated Kanawha County has no zoning districts, so a second dwelling is limited mainly by the county building permit, the State Building Code, and Kanawha-Charleston Health Department septic capacity rather than a zoning cap.
Unincorporated Kanawha County requires a building permit to place any structure, so even a small shed technically needs one — broader than the State Building Code's 200-square-foot accessory exemption. Cities like Charleston set their own shed rules.
Kanawha County, WV, Building Permit Guidelines and Procedures (unincorporated areas)
A BUILDING PERMIT SHALL BE REQUIRED IN ANY AREA OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF KANAWHA COUNTY IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY, CURRENTLY OR PLAN TO DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: BUILD, RELOCATE OR PLACE ANY TYPE OF STRUCTURE NEW or USED
Converting a garage to living space in unincorporated Kanawha County requires a county building permit and must meet the West Virginia State Building Code for habitable rooms — egress, ceiling height, insulation, and inspected electrical and plumbing.
A carport is a structure in unincorporated Kanawha County, so building one requires a county building permit, prefabricated kits included. The adopted West Virginia State Building Code sets the wind- and snow-load standards.
Kanawha County, WV, Building Permit Guidelines and Procedures (unincorporated areas)
A BUILDING PERMIT SHALL BE REQUIRED IN ANY AREA OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF KANAWHA COUNTY IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY, CURRENTLY OR PLAN TO DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: BUILD, RELOCATE OR PLACE ANY TYPE OF STRUCTURE NEW or USED
In unincorporated Kanawha County, a foundation-built tiny home is a dwelling under the West Virginia State Building Code, while a tiny home on wheels is treated like an RV or mobile home. Placing either requires a county permit.
Kanawha County, WV, Building Permit Guidelines and Procedures (unincorporated areas)
A BUILDING PERMIT SHALL BE REQUIRED IN ANY AREA OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF KANAWHA COUNTY IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY, CURRENTLY OR PLAN TO DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: BUILD, RELOCATE OR PLACE ANY TYPE OF STRUCTURE NEW or USED PLACE A MOBILE HOME NEW or USED
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