Bolthole Index

Logan County, West Virginia

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Logan County, West Virginia

63Index Score / 100
#37 of 55 in West Virginia

Logan County, West Virginia requires a building permit when work disturbs soil or involves construction in a regulatory special flood hazard area; the county does not publish a general residential-permit answer for land outside that area1. Logan County has no formal countywide zoning ordinance, although local ordinances cover certain establishments2. Septic permits and inspections go through the local health department3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for soil disturbance or construction in a regulatory special flood hazard area; ask Code Enforcement about other parcels1
Zoning
No formal countywide zoning ordinance, but local ordinances cover certain establishments2
Septic permits
Required through the local health department under state onsite-sewage standards43
RV living
A county rule allowing full-time RV occupancy could not be confirmed; ask Code Enforcement and the health department2
Tiny homes
No county zoning minimum dwelling size in unincorporated areas, but building, floodplain and health rules still apply5
Owner-builder
Owners may do their own construction without a contractor license, but permits, codes and inspections are not waived6
Private well
A local health department permit is required to drill, construct, alter or abandon an individual well7
County zoning setbacks
No county zoning setbacks in unincorporated areas; floodplain, road and septic requirements may still control placement8

Who to call

Codes & inspections

Logan County Commission Code Enforcement Division

Flood-hazard-area building permits, floodplain management, code enforcement and questions about local land-use ordinances

304-792-6265

[email protected]

325 Stratton Street Logan, WV 25601

Online permits →

Health department

Logan County Health Department

Local onsite-wastewater construction permits and inspections, plus individual-water-supply permits

304-792-8630

300 Stratton Street, Room 203, Logan, WV 25601

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Logan County, West Virginia?

Logan County requires a building permit for work that disturbs soil or involves construction of any kind in a regulatory special flood hazard area1. The county's published answer does not establish a general residential-permit requirement or exemption outside that mapped area, so confirm the parcel and project with the Logan County Commission Code Enforcement Division before work begins9. West Virginia does not impose one statewide building-code requirement; a community that adopts and enforces a building code must use the State Building Code10. A property owner may personally perform construction without holding a contractor license, but that licensure exemption does not cancel an otherwise applicable permit, code, inspection or occupancy requirement6.

Who handles Logan County building permits and how do you reach the office?

The Logan County Commission Code Enforcement Division is the first stop for floodplain building permits and questions about local code enforcement. The office is at 325 Stratton Street Logan, WV 25601; call 304-792-6265 or email [email protected]11. Ask the office to check whether the parcel lies in a regulatory special flood hazard area and whether the planned grading, foundation, structure or other soil disturbance needs a permit12. The county has published the floodplain trigger but not a complete application, fee, review or inspection sequence9. A county inspection schedule and a county certificate-of-occupancy rule could not be confirmed, so ask Code Enforcement what inspections and closeout documents apply to the specific project.

Does Logan County have zoning?

Logan County has no formal countywide zoning ordinance, although locally adopted ordinances apply to certain types of establishments and federal and state law still apply2. In unincorporated Logan County, no county zoning minimums were identified for dwelling size, lot size, setbacks, lot coverage or building height51381415. Those findings address county zoning only; floodplain, road, septic, subdivision and other requirements may independently affect where and what a buyer can build813. Municipal rules may also differ because West Virginia law separately authorizes municipalities to regulate land within their jurisdictions16.

How do septic permits work in Logan County?

Installing or modifying an onsite sewage system in Logan County requires an application and permit under West Virginia's sewage-system rules and design standards4. The Logan County Health Department handles onsite-wastewater construction permits and inspections through the local health system3. Call 304-792-8630 or visit 300 Stratton Street, Room 203, Logan, WV 2560117. Start before choosing a house site: none of the mapped county soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, while only 6.1% of county land has a slope of 15% or less1819. That combination makes a site evaluation especially important, but it does not by itself determine which system a particular parcel can support.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Logan County?

A Logan County rule expressly allowing full-time RV occupancy on private land could not be confirmed. Ask the Code Enforcement Division about local ordinances and ask the Logan County Health Department what approved sanitation arrangement would be required; no county-specific off-grid sanitation rule was confirmed. For a tiny home in unincorporated Logan County, county zoning does not set a minimum dwelling size, but building and health requirements still apply independently5. Construction or soil disturbance in a regulatory special flood hazard area requires a county building permit regardless of the home's size1. A private well also needs a local health department permit for drilling, construction, alteration or abandonment7.

Building a home in Logan County: what are the steps?

  1. Ask the Code Enforcement Division to identify whether the site is in a regulatory special flood hazard area and whether the project triggers the county permit1.
  1. Ask whether a locally adopted ordinance covers the proposed use, because Logan County has no formal countywide zoning ordinance2.
  1. Contact the Logan County Health Department for the onsite-sewage application and site review before fixing the house location417.
  1. Obtain a local health department permit before drilling, constructing, altering or abandoning an individual well7.
  1. Get a free Division of Highways permit before building a driveway that connects to a state highway20.
  1. Obtain WVDEP stormwater authorization before disturbing one acre or more, including a smaller site that is part of a larger common development plan21.

What should you check before buying land in Logan County?

Check the flood map and permit status first because soil disturbance or construction in a regulatory special flood hazard area requires a Logan County permit12. Make the septic evaluation an early contingency: 0% of mapped county soils are rated without severe conventional drain-field limitations, and only 6.1% of county land lies at a slope of 15% or less1819. Confirm legal road access and determine whether a state-highway connection needs a Division of Highways permit20. If the parcel will rely on a well, include the local health department permit in the plan7. For carrying costs, Logan County's effective property-tax rate is about 0.6%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $5912223.

Watch-outs

  • The county confirms a permit trigger inside regulatory special flood hazard areas but does not publish a blanket permit exemption for all land outside them; ask Code Enforcement about the parcel and project1.
  • No formal countywide zoning does not mean every use is unrestricted, because locally adopted ordinances cover certain establishments and other laws still apply2.
  • Conventional septic siting is difficult countywide: 0% of mapped soils are rated free of severe drain-field limits, so arrange a site evaluation before committing to a building location18.

Sources

  1. Frequently Asked Questions – Logan County Commission Code Enforcement Division, quoted and re-checked
  2. Frequently Asked Questions – Logan County Commission Code Enforcement Division, quoted and re-checked
  3. Environmental Health for Local Health Administrators, quoted and re-checked
  4. 64 CSR 47 Excerpts — Sewage Treatment and Collection System Design Standards, quoted and re-checked
  5. Frequently Asked Questions – Logan County Commission Code Enforcement Division, quoted and re-checked
  6. West Virginia Code §30-42-6. Necessity for license; exemptions (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Individual Water Supplies, quoted and re-checked
  8. Frequently Asked Questions – Logan County Commission Code Enforcement Division, quoted and re-checked
  9. Frequently Asked Questions – Logan County Commission Code Enforcement Division, quoted and re-checked
  10. 2023 West Virginia State Hazard Mitigation Plan, quoted and re-checked
  11. Logan County Commission Code Enforcement Division (lccced.us)
  12. Frequently Asked Questions – Logan County Commission Code Enforcement Division, quoted and re-checked
  13. Frequently Asked Questions – Logan County Commission Code Enforcement Division, quoted and re-checked
  14. Frequently Asked Questions – Logan County Commission Code Enforcement Division, quoted and re-checked
  15. Frequently Asked Questions – Logan County Commission Code Enforcement Division, quoted and re-checked
  16. West Virginia Code §8A-7-1. Authority for zoning ordinance (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Logan County Health Department (dhhr.wv.gov)
  18. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  19. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Encroachment Permits (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Construction Stormwater General Permit (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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County locator

Logan County in West Virginia

63
County map
Logan County highlighted among the West Virginia counties · colored by Index score

How Logan County scores

Seclusion75100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency46100% ev.
Admin Boringness78100% ev.
Durability51100% ev.
Property Autonomy26100% ev.
Carry Cost88100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$113kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$3,077Land / acre
49.3"Annual rain
1% of yrsSevere drought
3.4 / yr (+3.3)Mid-century 100°F days
11.2 daysMid-century dry spell
1.58" (+6.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.88×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,246Home insurance / yr
-4.2% / yrInsurance growth
1.04%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
13,805People within 30 min
941,795People within 2 hr
42,533Radius comparison (15 mi)
67.9People / sq mi
0%Federal land
6.1%Land at 15% slope or less
0%Septic soil without severe limits
94 acWorkable land screen
94.4%Wooded land
67.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
55.4°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Logan County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Logan County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Work in the regulatory special flood hazard area in unincorporated Logan County.

    • A permit is required when work would disturb soil or result in construction of any kind in the regulatory special flood hazard area.
    • The FAQ does not establish a countywide permit requirement outside the regulatory special flood hazard area.
    “A-When performing any work that would disturb the soil or would result in construction of any kind in the regulatory special flood hazard area.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Formal county zoning ordinance in unincorporated Logan County.

    • The county states that locally adopted ordinances may apply to certain types of establishments.
    • Federal and state laws still apply.
    “Everyone must abide by Federal and State Laws although there is no formal zoning ordinance in Logan County, there are locally adopted ordinances pertaining to certain types of establishments.”
  • Local zoningAbsent (with conditions)

    Formal county zoning ordinance in Logan County.

    • Everyone must abide by Federal and State Laws.
    • Logan County states that locally adopted ordinances pertain to certain types of establishments.
    • This claim concerns the absence of a formal county zoning ordinance and does not attribute locally adopted ordinances to the county as a single administering authority.
    “there is no formal zoning ordinance in Logan County”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — Aggregate local zoning and land-use controls within Logan County, including municipalities and locally adopted point ordinances.
      “Everyone must abide by Federal and State Laws although there is no formal zoning ordinance in Logan County, there are locally adopted ordinances pertaining to certain types of establishments.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeNone

    County zoning minimum dwelling-size requirements in unincorporated Logan County.

    • No county zoning ordinance was identified.
    • Building and health requirements may still apply independently.
    “Everyone must abide by Federal and State Laws although there is no formal zoning ordinance in Logan County, there are locally adopted ordinances pertaining to certain types of establishments.”
  • Minimum lot sizeNone

    County zoning minimum lot-size requirements in unincorporated Logan County.

    • No county zoning ordinance was identified.
    • Subdivision, septic, floodplain, and other applicable rules may still apply.
    “Everyone must abide by Federal and State Laws although there is no formal zoning ordinance in Logan County, there are locally adopted ordinances pertaining to certain types of establishments.”
  • SetbacksNone

    County zoning setback requirements in unincorporated Logan County.

    • No county zoning ordinance was identified.
    • Floodplain, road, septic, and other non-zoning requirements may still apply.
    “Everyone must abide by Federal and State Laws although there is no formal zoning ordinance in Logan County, there are locally adopted ordinances pertaining to certain types of establishments.”
  • Lot coverageNone

    County zoning lot-coverage requirements in unincorporated Logan County.

    • No county zoning ordinance was identified.
    • Other building, floodplain, and health requirements may still apply.
    “Everyone must abide by Federal and State Laws although there is no formal zoning ordinance in Logan County, there are locally adopted ordinances pertaining to certain types of establishments.”
  • Building heightNone

    County zoning building-height requirements in unincorporated Logan County.

    • No county zoning ordinance was identified.
    • Floodplain and building-code requirements may still apply.
    “Everyone must abide by Federal and State Laws although there is no formal zoning ordinance in Logan County, there are locally adopted ordinances pertaining to certain types of establishments.”
  • Who permits septicLocal

    On-site wastewater permitting and inspection administered through the local health department serving Logan County.

    • The state training material describes the local health department role under Legislative Rules 64CSR9 and 64CSR47.
    “Local Health Department Role in EH Programs [...] On-site Wastewater • Legislative Rule 64CSR9 • Issuance of construction permits • Inspections”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Work disturbing soil or involving construction of any kind in Logan County's regulatory special flood hazard area.

    • A building permit is required for the described work in the regulatory special flood hazard area.
    • The county FAQ does not state the complete floodplain ordinance standards, permit conditions, elevation requirements, variance process, or fees.
    “When performing any work that would disturb the soil or would result in construction of any kind in the regulatory special flood hazard area.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Permit processPartial

    County building-permit trigger in Logan County.

    • The county FAQ identifies a permit trigger for soil-disturbing work or construction of any kind in the regulatory special flood hazard area.
    • The source does not publish a complete application, review, fee, inspection, or issuance process.
    “When performing any work that would disturb the soil or would result in construction of any kind in the regulatory special flood hazard area.”

West Virginia rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable

    A property owner or occupant personally performing construction work on a structure, for purposes of exemption from West Virginia contractor licensure.

    • The exemption concerns contractor licensure and does not itself waive any applicable building permit, State Building Code, State Fire Code, inspection, or certificate-of-occupancy requirement.
    • The statute separately exempts work personally performed by an owner or lessee on property whose primary use is agricultural or farming enterprise.
    • If the owner hires another person to perform the work for compensation, the hired person may be subject to contractor licensure requirements and building-permit prerequisites.
    “Except as otherwise provided in this code, the following are exempt from licensure: [...] Work personally performed on a structure by the owner or occupant thereof;”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    West Virginia's State Building Code framework and its application in counties and municipalities that adopt the code.

    • The State Building Code has force and effect in counties and municipalities adopting it; it is not automatically applicable statewide solely by state promulgation.
    • A county or municipality may adopt the code only prospectively, not retroactively.
    • Buildings or structures utilized primarily for agricultural purposes are exempt from the State Building Code, the State Fire Code, and any adopted county or municipal building code or ordinance such as the ICC International Property Maintenance Code.
    • If another state law, county or municipal ordinance, or agency regulation imposes a more stringent or higher standard and is not inconsistent with West Virginia law or contrary to recognized standards and good engineering practices, that provision governs.
    • Enforcement is the responsibility of the respective local jurisdiction.
    • The active State Building Code rule is West Virginia Code of State Rules 87-04, effective August 1, 2022.

    effective date: 2022-08-01

    “The rules shall be in accordance with standard safe practices so embodied in widely recognized standards of good practice for building construction and all aspects related thereto and have force and effect in those counties and municipalities adopting the State Building Code: Provided, That each county or municipality may adopt the code to the extent that it is only prospective and not retroactive in its application; Provided, however, That buildings or structures utilized primarily for agricultural purposes shall be exempt from the provisions of the State Building Code, the State Fire Code, and any county or municipal building code or ordinance that is or may be adopted, such as the ICC International Property Maintenance Code.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — West Virginia building-code adoption framework applicable to Logan County jurisdictions.
      “While West Virginia does not have statewide building code requirements, the adoption and implementation of building codes is strongly encouraged. Any community that wishes to adopt and enforce a building code is required to use the State Building Code.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Fire and life-safety inspections by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal for occupancies subject to the State Fire Code.

    • The State Fire Marshal inspection mandate excludes one- and two-family dwellings.
    • The State Fire Marshal may enter dwelling houses during construction and before occupancy to determine compliance with conditions of permits or licenses issued by the State Fire Marshal.
    • State Fire Code exemptions include buildings used wholly as dwelling houses for no more than two families and buildings used primarily for agricultural purposes, subject to the stated farm-structure exceptions for group sleeping, health care, or detention/correctional occupancy.
    “The State Fire Marshal shall inspect all structures and facilities, other than one- and two-family dwelling houses, subject to the State Fire Code and this article, including, but not limited to, state, county, and municipally owned institutions, all public and private schools, health care facilities, theaters, churches, and other places of public assembly to determine whether the structures or facilities are in compliance with the State Fire Code.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — State Fire Marshal fire and life-safety inspections applicable in Logan County.
      “The Fire Safety Inspection Division is mandated by Chapter 15A, Article 10 "Fire Prevention and Control Act" to conduct fire and life safety inspections in all types of occupancies except one and two family dwellings.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    A new building, an existing Industrial or Storage occupancy, or an existing building in which 50% or more of the space has been renovated or reconstructed, when covered by the West Virginia State Fire Code.

    • The certificate of occupancy must be obtained before the building is occupied or used for its intended purpose.
    • The certificate may involve the State Fire Marshal’s Office and is not limited to issuance by that office alone.
    • The State Fire Code does not apply to buildings used wholly as dwelling houses for no more than two families or buildings used primarily for agricultural purposes, except farm structures used for group sleeping accommodations for farm workers or for health care or detention/correctional occupancy.
    • Where applicable, projects must be designed by a licensed architect or professional engineer and obtain review approval from the Authority Having Jurisdiction before construction or the covered renovation/reconstruction.
    • After January 1, 2025, owners or occupants applying for a final inspection or certificate of occupancy must submit plan-review documents electronically.

    renovated or reconstructed space threshold: >= 50 percent (Existing building; the rule also covers every new building and existing Industrial and Storage occupancies.) · plan review completion period: <= 45 days (The Authority Having Jurisdiction must notify deficiencies; the owner or occupant has 10 days to submit additional documentation, and the AHJ has 10 days to complete review once requirements are met.) · electronic filing requirement effective date: 2025-01-01 (Applies to documents submitted for final inspection or certificate of occupancy.)

    “The owner or occupant of a new building, existing Industrial and Storage occupancies, or an existing building that has had 50% or more of the space renovated or reconstructed, shall obtain a certificate of occupancy including but not be limited to the State Fire Marshal’s Office alone, before the building is occupied or used for its intended purpose.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    West Virginia zoning ordinances and zoning district maps adopted by county or municipal governing bodies.

    • West Virginia law permits counties and municipalities to enact zoning ordinances; it does not provide a single statewide district map in the cited sources.
    • A county zoning ordinance may cover the entire county or only parts of it.
    • A municipality's zoning ordinance covers its entire jurisdiction.
    • Zoning boundaries and classifications must be shown on a zoning district map.
    • Certified maps must be filed with the applicable governing body, planning commission, and county clerk.
    • The cited sources do not identify the actual district names or maps for each county or municipality.
    “The boundaries of each zone and the designated classifications must be shown on a zoning district map. The boundaries may only be changed after appropriate public hearing and zoning district map changes are adopted by the governing body.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    At least one accessory dwelling unit by right on a lot or parcel containing a single-family dwelling within a West Virginia municipality, subject to the statutory definition and applicable regulatory requirements.

    • The accessory dwelling unit must be self-contained and independently accessed, be on the same parcel as a larger single-family dwelling, and include cooking, sleeping, and sanitation facilities.
    • The unit may be attached, detached, or internal to the single-family dwelling.
    • An attached or detached unit may not exceed 75 percent of the single-family dwelling's gross floor area or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less.
    • The municipality may impose applicable fire, building, construction, zoning, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
    • A municipality may require a water-system and sewer-system will-serve letter, or Department of Health approval where municipal or private water or sewer service is unavailable.
    • A municipality may charge an application-review fee up to $250 per accessory dwelling unit, in addition to usual building fees.
    • The statutory restrictions apply to policies, regulations, or ordinances in effect on or after January 1, 2027, and conflicting provisions are invalid to the extent of the conflict.
    • The statute does not regulate short-term rentals and does not supersede applicable regulatory requirements.

    maximum detached or attached ADU size: <= 75 percent of primary dwelling gross floor area (The alternative cap is 1,000 square feet, and the lesser limit controls.) · maximum detached or attached ADU size: <= 1000 square feet (The alternative cap is 75 percent of the primary dwelling gross floor area, and the lesser limit controls.) · maximum application-review fee: <= 250 USD per accessory dwelling unit (Usual building fees may be charged in addition to the application fee.) · conflicting municipal policy effective date: >= 2027-01-01 (Conflicting provisions are invalid to the extent of the conflict.)

    “a municipality shall not adopt a policy, regulation, or ordinance that restricts, prohibits, or otherwise regulates the use of at least one accessory dwelling unit”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation or modification of an onsite sewage disposal system in Logan County under West Virginia's statewide sewage-system program.

    • The official SS-182A form is an application to install or modify an onsite sewage disposal system and includes a health-department permit decision field.
    • For lots created after July 1, 1970, an individual sewage-disposal permit is withheld until subdivision approval has been granted indicating that the systems may be expected to comply with applicable design standards on all proposed building lots in the original tract.
    • Alternative systems may be considered for new construction only if the lot is two acres or larger.
    • For residential wastewater systems with surface-water discharge, the state program issues permits only for systems with design flow of 600 gallons per day or less that qualify for a WVDEP NPDES permit.
    • A construction permit for a Home Aeration Unit is issued only after OEHS is notified that a WVDEP NPDES general permit has been obtained; the WVDEP notification serves as the OEHS application.
    • The SS-182A form states that homeowner installers must pass a certification examination administered by the Local Health Department before conducting percolation testing.
    • The SS-182A form requires installation or modification to comply with the Sewage Treatment and Collection System Design Standards Rule, 64CSR47.
    • The current state provider listing identifies the Logan County Health Department at 300 Stratton Street, Room 203, Logan, WV 25601, telephone 304-792-8630, fax 304-792-8635; office hours and the local submission process were not located on the opened official pages.

    alternative-system minimum lot size for new construction: >= 2 acres · surface-discharge residential design flow: <= 600 gallons/day (must qualify for a WVDEP NPDES permit) · subdivision permit withholding date threshold: > 1970-07-01 (subdivision approval must first indicate compliance can be expected) · state sewage-system rule effective date: 1998-05-01 (active 64-09 rule version)

    “may install or establish any system or method of drainage, water supply, or sewage or excreta disposal without first obtaining a written permit”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Installation or modification of an onsite sewage disposal system, including septic tank soil absorption systems, in Logan County, West Virginia.
      “3.1.a. An applicant shall submit a completed application for a permit in accordance with “Sewage System Rules,” 64CSR9, this rule and the instructions of the Commissioner.”
    • Limited — On-site sewage systems in Logan County that require approval under West Virginia's sewage-system rules.
      “An applicant shall submit a completed application for a permit in accordance with “Sewage System Rules,” 64CSR9, this rule and the instructions of the Commissioner.”
    • Limited — Residential wastewater systems with surface-water discharge of 600 gallons per day or less that qualify for a WVDEP NPDES permit.
      “The on-site sewage program also issues permits for residential wastewater systems with surface water discharge which are 600 gallons/day or less and which qualify for a West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection N.P.D.E.S. permit.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Drilling, modifying, or abandoning an individual drinking-water well in Logan County.

    • A permit must be obtained from the Local Health Department before drilling, modifying, or abandoning the well.
    • The well must be drilled by a licensed well driller.
    “Residents of West Virginia who want to have a well drilled, or who wish to modify or abandon an existing well, must apply and obtain a permit from their Local Health Department prior to drilling, modifying, or abandoning the well.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Drilling, modifying, or abandoning an individual water well in West Virginia.
      “Residents of West Virginia who want to have a well drilled, or who wish to modify or abandon an existing well, must apply and obtain a permit from their local health department prior to drilling, modifying, or abandoning the well.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Buildings or structures used primarily for agricultural or agritourism purposes under the West Virginia State Building Code.

    • The State Building Code does not apply to buildings or structures used primarily for agricultural purposes, including agritourism purposes.
    • Eligibility must be determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture when claimed.
    • The owner or responsible party must submit sufficient information, including property location, agricultural uses, percentage or frequency of use, and other information required by the Commissioner.
    “If a property owner or other responsible party claims exemption from the applicable Building Code based on the agricultural purposes exemption identified in subsection 1.6 of this rule, he or she shall submit the question to the Commissioner of Agriculture for a determination of eligibility.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available — Buildings or structures utilized primarily for agricultural purposes in Logan County.
      “Provided, That buildings or structures utilized primarily for agricultural purposes shall be exempt from the provisions of the State Building Code, the State Fire Code, and any county or municipal building code or ordinance that is or may be adopted, such as the ICC International Property Maintenance Code.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land development subject to a local subdivision and land-development ordinance adopted under West Virginia law.

    • The local ordinance must include minor and major subdivision processes, planning-commission approval authority, review, approval, recording, fees, waivers, and improvement-location permits.
    • The statute allows exemptions for certain land development, including single-family residential structures and farm structures.
    • The cited statute does not itself provide one uniform statewide subdivision approval process for every parcel; local governing bodies and planning commissions administer the ordinance.

    planning-commission approval: Required before development commences when a subdivision and land-development ordinance applies. (Applicable local exemptions and ordinance provisions may apply.) · plat recording: Required before construction commences after approval. (The plat is recorded in the clerk's office of the county commission where a majority of the land lies.) · fees: A schedule of fees proportioned to the cost of checking and verifying proposed plats.

    “plans and plats must be approved by the applicable planning commission”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New driveways or approaches connecting private property to West Virginia state highways or located within state highway rights-of-way.

    • The permit is free of charge from any Division office.
    • Permits are granted only for legitimate access to private property and when location, design, and construction comply with Division of Highways specifications.
    • Driveways must not be located in sharp curves, on steep grades, within intersections, or where they interfere with signs, signals, or drainage.
    • Unauthorized driveway installation can result in a fine or removal.
    • The source directs applicants to check with the applicable District Office before building.
    “A reminder from the Division of Highways to property owners building new driveways — don’t forget your permit. Available free of charge from any Division office, permits are required by state law in order to assure that there is no uncontrolled access to state highways that would reduce the road’s safety or interfere with efficient movement of traffic.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Published West Virginia environmental-health permit fees, including sewage and public-water permits relevant to Logan County.

    • The cited schedule is not a Logan County building-permit fee schedule.
    • Fees shown include $1,000 for a sewage holding tank, $250 for correcting failure of an on-site innovative/alternative sewage system, $400 for new construction of such a system, $150 for sewage-system installer certification and renewal, and $150 for a new-construction public-water-system well permit.

    sewage holding tank permit: 1000 USD · on-site innovative/alternative sewage system correcting failure: 250 USD · on-site innovative/alternative sewage system new construction: 400 USD · sewage system installer certification and renewal: 150 USD · public water system well permit new construction: 150 USD

    “4. Sewage Holding Tank $1000 5. On-Site Innovative/Alternative Type Sewage System a. Correcting Failure $250 b. New Construction $400 6. Sewage System Installer Certification and Renewal $150 B. Water Well Permits (New Construction) Public Water System $150”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    West Virginia counties adopting zoning for all or part of their jurisdiction, including unincorporated areas.

    • The county governing body must work with the planning commission and the public to develop the zoning ordinance.
    • The ordinance may cover the county's entire jurisdiction or only parts of it.
    • The statute also authorizes municipalities to regulate land use within their own jurisdictions; municipal zoning is not county zoning.
    • No effective date or fee is stated in the cited provision.
    “(3) Enacting a zoning ordinance. (b) A zoning ordinance may cover a county's entire jurisdiction or parts of its jurisdiction.”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    West Virginia county commissions adopting and enforcing building and housing codes for residential construction in unincorporated portions of the county.

    • The county commission must act by order duly entered of record.
    • Codes may establish and regulate minimum building and housing standards for improving health, safety, and well-being.
    • Codes may apply to the entire county or any portion or portions constituting an effective area; the county need not adopt the code for other portions.
    • The code does not apply within a municipal corporation that has adopted and has in effect a housing and building code unless and until the municipality provides otherwise by ordinance.
    • Structures on parcels used primarily for agricultural purposes are excluded.
    • Any county property-maintenance code or ordinance must exempt property used for agricultural purposes and is unenforceable as to agricultural property.
    • Existing county building codes became void one year after promulgation of a state building code by the State Fire Commission; after that voidance, a county adopting a building code must adopt the state building code.
    • A county may adopt the state building code after promulgation, but it does not apply within a municipal corporation that has not adopted it.
    “county commissions are hereby authorized and empowered, by order duly entered of record, to adopt building and housing codes”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Septic inspection — Onsite wastewater inspection requirements in Logan County.
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation systems in Logan County.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer connection requirements in Logan County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in unincorporated Logan County.

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.

Living off-grid in Logan County, West Virginia

Is Logan County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Logan County scores 63/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop.

Do you need a building permit in Logan County, West Virginia?

Logan County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Logan County Health Department (under WV DHHR Office of Environmental Health Services). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Logan County, West Virginia?

Land in Logan County runs about $3,077 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Logan County?

Logan County gets about 49.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 1% of years.

How remote is Logan County?

A representative private-land location has about 13,805 people within a 30-minute drive and 941,795 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Logan County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Logan compares in West Virginia

Compare side-by-side →See all 55 West Virginia counties ranked →