Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Bolivar, West Virginia

Town of Bolivar’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New construction and additions inside Bolivar town

  • Structures not greater than 100 square feet need no permit but must conform to density and setback requirements
  • Permits valid one year from date of issue
  • Proof of Jefferson County impact fee payment required before final permit for a new dwelling

  permit threshold: > 100 square feet (smaller structures exempt from permit but must meet density and setbacks)

  “all permanent structures shall require a permit. any structure not greater than 100 square feet does not require a permit but must conform to density and setback requirements.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  New construction and additions inside Bolivar town

  • Adopts the international building code and the WV state building code as adopted and amended by the state fire marshal

  “all such new construction must conform to state regulations and licensing and adhere to the international building code and the wv state building code as adopted and amended by the state fire marshal.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction inside Bolivar town

  • Decks require one inspection for setback conformance

  minimum inspections: >= 4 inspections (decks: one inspection)

  “all applicants must agree to a minimum of four inspections by the zoning administrator to assure that the applicant is in compliance with the zoning ordinance and this building ordinance.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside the incorporated area of Bolivar town (Jefferson County)

  • Zoning ordinance enacted July 7, 2000, as amended

  “the incorporated area of the town of bolivar is hereby divided into the following districts which can be located on the land use map to the comprehensive plan”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Incorporated area of Bolivar town

  • Districts: B business/commercial; R residential subdivided into R1 through R5
  • Land use map is in the Comprehensive Plan

  “all of the remainder of the incorporated area of bolivar is hereby declared to be included in the residential district of bolivar and designated as "r" district.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Buildings and new single-family/duplex units inside Bolivar town (general lot requirements)

  • Each unit minimum 800 square feet under Article 1715.01(c)

  minimum building size: >= 800 square feet

  “buildings must be a minimum of 800 square feet.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  All districts, Bolivar town (general lot requirements)

  • Or a lot in existence on the Jefferson County tax assessor's map for the year 2000

  minimum lot size: >= 0.5 acre (lots existing on the 2000 assessor's map)

  “every building shall be located on an individual lot defined as no less than one half acre, or a lot in existence on the jefferson county tax assessor's map for the year 2000.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  All districts, Bolivar town (general lot requirements)

  • Buildings on visible foundations existing before the ordinance may ignore setbacks

  front and rear setback: >= 15 feet · side setback: >= 10 feet

  “lots are considered buildable if setbacks of 15 feet front and back, and 10 feet on each side can be met.”

• Building heightSpecified

  All districts, Bolivar town (general lot requirements)

  • Article 1715.01(e) separately limits outbuildings and structures to two stories at street level

  maximum building height: <= 35 feet

  “buildings are limited to no more than 35 feet in height.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Residential (R) district, Bolivar town

  • Trailers or mobile homes are excluded as permanent residences
  • One trailer or mobile home may be used temporarily as a residence while a dwelling is being constructed, within the term of the construction permit

  “plus three (3) permitted accessory structures thereto but excluding tents cabins and trailers or mobile homes, except that one trailer or mobile home may be temporarily used as a residence on a lot while a dwelling is being constructed, within the term of the construction permit.”

• Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

  New construction units inside Bolivar town

  • Written proof of access to water and sewer service from Harpers Ferry Water Works and Harpers Ferry-Bolivar Public Service District is required with the permit application
  • Lots must be served, or have the ability to be served, by the local water and sewer authority, attested in writing

  “each new construction unit must have written proof of access of water and sewer service from harpers ferry water works and harpers ferry¬bolivar public service district.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside Bolivar town

  • Resulting lots must be one half acre or greater for single-family homes
  • Subdivided lots must conform to Article 1725

  “lots in excess of one acre may be subdivided as provided in article 1725 of this ordinance.”

• Driveway accessLimited

  New construction inside Bolivar town

  • Two off-street parking spaces per single-family dwelling
  • Road access documentation required for each new construction project

  “access to parking by a driveway will be reviewed for safety and drainage.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building permits inside Bolivar town

  • Fee amounts not stated in the opened ordinance text

  “costs of processing and filing permits shall be established by the planning commission on an annual basis and shall be added to the filing fee.”

• Permit processPublished

  Building permits inside Bolivar town

  • Application to the zoning administrator on council-prescribed forms
  • Permits valid one year and renewable

  “all permits are valid for one year from date of issue. a permit may be renewed by submission of a new application payment of fee, and zoning administrator and commission review.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Bolivar or Jefferson County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built homes inside Bolivar town
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new buildings inside Bolivar town
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Bolivar town
• Camping on your land — Camping on private land inside Bolivar town
• Tiny homes — Tiny homes inside Bolivar town

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.