Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Chester, West Virginia

Chester’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction, reconstruction, enlargement, alteration or relocation of buildings or structures inside Chester city

  • No permit is required for routine maintenance and upkeep to existing buildings or structures if no structural changes or modifications are involved.
  • Permit is issued by the building permit officer only after the proposed construction is determined to conform to all applicable requirements and regulations (1705.05).
  • Ordinance 298, passed 10-15-90; codification complete to Nov 1, 2012.

  “it shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, business, or corporation to undertake or cause to be undertaken, the construction, reconstruction, enlargement, alteration, or relocation of any building or structure unless an approved building permit has been obtained from the town building permit officer.”

• InspectionsLimited

  Inspection of permitted construction inside Chester city

  • Inspection is discretionary ('may inspect'), not a mandated inspection schedule.
  • The permit is revoked and reported to city council if work does not comply with the application or applicable laws, or on false statement.

  “during the construction period, the building permit officer or other authorized official may inspect the premises to determine that the work is progressing in compliance with the information provided on the permit application and with all applicable municipal laws and ordinances.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit fees inside Chester city

  • Fee is based on estimated cost as determined by the building permit officer.
  • Appeal of the cost estimate goes to city council within 30 days (1705.12).
  • Ordinance 298-A, passed 3-4-91; fees may have been amended after the 2012 codification.

  fee for $0 to $500 estimated cost: 0 USD · fee for $501 to $1,000 estimated cost: 5 USD · each additional $1,000 or part thereof beyond first $1,000: per 2 USD · maximum total fee: <= 500 USD

  “application for a building permit shall be accompanied by a fee payable to the city, based upon the estimated cost of the proposed construction as determined by the building permit officer at the following rates:”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit application inside Chester city

  • Application must include at least applicant, owner and contractor names and addresses, site location, brief description of work and estimated cost, and a plan (list continues in 1705.06).
  • Ordinance 298, passed 10-15-90.

  “application for such a building permit shall be made in writing, to the building permit officer on forms supplied by the city.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Chester or Hancock County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Chester city
• Building code adopted — Building code adoption inside Chester city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Chester city
• Local zoning — Zoning inside Chester city
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Chester city

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.