Kanawha County, WV Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- County STR noise rule
- None; general law applies
- Governing law
- W. Va. Code §61-6-1b
- Charleston leverage
- STR permit at risk
- Host tools
- Contract quiet hours
Summary
Short-term-rental guests in unincorporated Kanawha County follow the same noise law as everyone: the Sheriff-enforced disorderly-conduct statute, W. Va. Code §61-6-1b. Charleston additionally ties guest noise to its STR permit.
disturbs the peace of others by violent, profane, indecent or boisterous conduct or language or by the making of unreasonably loud noise that is intended to cause annoyance or alarm to another person
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated Kanawha County has no STR-specific noise rule because it has no STR ordinance at all, so a loud vacation rental is handled like any other disturbance, through W. Va. Code §61-6-1b and the Sheriff. In Charleston, a documented pattern of guest-noise complaints can jeopardize the property's Short-Term Rental Permit, since the city's practical leverage is the permit it issued. Sound carries up the river valleys, so hosts near the Kanawha and Elk Rivers should set clear contractual quiet hours and occupancy caps and post a local contact number for neighbors.
Violations & Fines
Guest noise is enforced under §61-6-1b in unincorporated areas: a Sheriff response and misdemeanor exposure after a request to desist. In Charleston, repeated complaints can lead to STR permit review or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there special noise rules for short-term rentals?
Can noisy guests cost me my rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kanawha County
Compare Kanawha County to another location·View the West Virginia short-term rentals overview
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