Imagine Charleston, adopted in 2017, is the city's guiding land-use document and shapes Title 42 zoning amendments, capital investment, and neighborhood planning for the Kanawha Valley capital city.
Imagine Charleston 2017 sets long-range goals for housing, economic development, riverfront access, and downtown revitalization. It recommends mixed-use infill near the Capitol Complex and Town Center Mall, riverfront trail extensions, and protection of historic East End neighborhoods. The plan does not by itself rezone parcels, but it provides legal grounding for Title 42 amendments and Planning Commission decisions. The plan emphasizes adaptive reuse of older Capitol Street commercial buildings and acknowledges Charleston's challenges around population decline, aging infrastructure, and recovery from industrial water-quality incidents. Updates require Council action.
The comprehensive plan does not produce direct violations; instead, projects inconsistent with it may face denial or required conditions during zoning review.
Charleston, WV
West Virginia Senate Bill 167, enacted in 2017, prohibits sanctuary policies. Charleston cannot adopt rules barring police cooperation with federal immigrati...
Charleston, WV
Charleston cannot set its own minimum wage above the West Virginia rate of 8.75 dollars per hour set by W. Va. Code Section 21-5C-2. State law preempts local...
Charleston, WV
Charleston levies a business and occupation gross receipts tax under Chapter 10 of the City Code, with rates that vary by business classification such as ret...
Charleston, WV
Charleston has not adopted a hotel worker retention ordinance like those in some larger cities. Hotel sales or change-of-control transactions in Charleston f...
Charleston, WV
Charleston hotel guests pay a 6 percent city hotel occupancy tax under W. Va. Code Chapter 7 plus a 6 percent state consumer sales tax, totaling roughly 12 p...
Charleston, WV
Charleston enforces loud party rules through the city noise ordinance and disorderly conduct provisions in Chapter 24, with stronger response near East End r...
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