Marshall County, WV Building Permits & Zoning

Unincorporated Marshall County, West Virginia has no building or zoning department, and the county's own directory lists no countywide building-permit or zoning process¹². Septic systems and private wells still need a permit from the Marshall County Health Department, the local authority the state assigns to review those applications³⁴. West Virginia has no mandatory statewide building code⁵, and the county commission says the county has no jurisdiction over its incorporated towns, which can set their own building and zoning rules⁶.

At a glance

Building permit: Not required; the county has no building department¹
Zoning: No countywide zoning identified; incorporated towns set their own rules²
Septic: County Health Department permit and inspection required³
Septic soils: Only 0.5% of county soils are free of severe limits for a conventional drain field⁷
Wells: Permit required from the county Health Department before drilling, modifying or abandoning a well⁴
Owner-builder: Exempt from state contractor licensure, but not from any applicable permit or inspection⁸⁹
Accessory dwelling units: State right-to-ADU law applies only inside WV municipalities, not unincorporated county land¹⁰
Property tax: 0.5% effective rate¹¹

Who to call

Health department

Marshall County Health Department (Environmental Division)

Septic (individual sewage) system permits and inspections, and water well permits, for all of Marshall County

304-845-7840

513 6th Street, Moundsville, WV 26041

Also useful

Marshall County Commission

General county government; has no separate building, zoning or floodplain department and can direct residents to the right office

(304) 845-0482

[email protected]

P.O. Box Drawer B, Moundsville, WV 26041

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 24, 2026.

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

Marshall County has no building or zoning department, and its official directory lists no countywide building-permit process for unincorporated land¹. That fits the bigger picture: West Virginia has no mandatory statewide building code, and a code only applies where a county or municipality has specifically adopted one⁵. Marshall County's own building-code adoption isn't documented on its website, so the honest answer is that the county doesn't appear to have one, but you should still confirm with the County Commission before you build⁶. The state's Office of the State Fire Marshal, which enforces the State Fire Code on covered buildings, does not have jurisdiction over one- to two-family dwelling houses, so a typical home is outside its reach too¹². Buildings used primarily for agricultural purposes are separately exempt from the State Building Code, the State Fire Code, and any county or municipal code, wherever those apply¹³.

Who do you contact for permits and land-use questions in Marshall County?

Every septic and well permit in Marshall County goes through the Marshall County Health Department's Environmental Division, at 304-845-7840, 513 6th Street, Moundsville, WV 26041¹⁴. There is no separate building, zoning or floodplain office listed for the county; the Marshall County Commission, at (304) 845-0482 or [email protected], is the general point of contact and can direct you to the right state or county office for anything the Health Department doesn't handle⁶. The commission's own page is explicit that it has no jurisdiction over the county's incorporated towns, so if your land is inside Benwood, Cameron, Glen Dale, McMechen or Moundsville, that town's own offices — not the county — set the rules⁶.

Does Marshall County have zoning?

No countywide zoning ordinance for Marshall County is identified on the county's official pages². West Virginia law lets a county zone all or part of its jurisdiction if the county commission chooses to adopt an ordinance, but nothing on Marshall County's own site states that it has¹⁵. What is confirmed is that the county has no authority over its incorporated towns, so Benwood, Cameron, Glen Dale, McMechen and Moundsville can each set their own zoning and building rules independent of the county⁶. If you're buying unincorporated land outside those towns, don't assume the absence of county zoning means no restrictions ever apply — deed covenants, floodplain rules and state septic/well law still reach the property; a specific setback, lot-coverage or building-height question for unincorporated Marshall County isn't answered on the county's own pages, so it's worth a call to the Commission before you buy.

How do septic and well permits work in Marshall County?

Every new or modified septic system in Marshall County needs a permit before installation and a final inspection before it can be covered or used, administered through the Marshall County Health Department¹⁶¹⁷¹⁸. This matters more here than in most places: only 0.5% of Marshall County's soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so most sites need an engineered system and a careful site evaluation before you commit to a piece of land⁷. Wells work the same way — a permit from the same Health Department is required before a well is drilled, modified or abandoned, and the well must be drilled by a licensed driller⁴. Repairs that stay outside the drainfield, like clearing tree roots from a solid pipe, generally don't need a new permit, but any work inside the drainfield does, and stone-filled "absorption pit" repairs deeper than three feet are illegal statewide¹⁷.

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

Marshall County's official pages don't state a rule either way for long-term RV or tiny-home occupancy on private land — this is unconfirmed, not permission. The county's General Sanitation rule reaches organized campgrounds, fairs, mass gatherings and similar recreational facilities, but that's a rule for commercial and public recreation sites, not for a single owner living in an RV or tiny home on their own unincorporated tract¹⁹. If you're inside one of the county's incorporated towns, check that town's own rules, since the county has no authority there⁶. Outside the towns, call the Health Department about septic/well needs for the structure and the County Commission about anything else before you commit to the plan¹⁴⁶.

Building a home in Marshall County: the steps, in order

Call the Marshall County Commission to confirm there's no building or zoning requirement that applies to your specific parcel, especially if it's near or inside an incorporated town⁶.
If the land is primarily agricultural, note that agricultural structures are exempt from the State Building Code, State Fire Code and any county or municipal code that would otherwise apply¹³.
Apply to the Marshall County Health Department for a septic permit before installing any sewage system, and expect a site evaluation given how limited the county's soils are for conventional drain fields¹⁷⁷.
If you need a well, apply for a well permit through the same Health Department before drilling⁴.
If the parcel touches a mapped floodplain, contact the County Commission to identify Marshall County's floodplain permit officer; the state requires every county to maintain a floodplain ordinance and permitting system²⁰⁶.
If you're connecting a new driveway to a state highway, apply for a free driveway permit from your local West Virginia Division of Highways district office; Marshall County itself owns and repairs no roads²¹⁶.
If you plan to disturb one acre or more of ground, check whether you need a WVDEP construction stormwater permit²².

What to check before you buy land in Marshall County

Soils and septic: with only 0.5% of the county's soils free of severe septic limitations, budget for an engineered system and get a site evaluation before you buy, not after⁷. Terrain: only 12.2% of Marshall County is at 15% slope or gentler, and 75.8% of the county is wooded, so expect a steep, forested lot in most cases, which affects both septic siting and driveway cost²³²⁴. Flood risk: Marshall County is required to maintain a floodplain ordinance and permitting system, so confirm flood-zone status and the permit officer with the County Commission before you build near a stream²⁰⁶. Municipal boundaries: confirm whether the parcel sits inside Benwood, Cameron, Glen Dale, McMechen or Moundsville, since the county has no authority inside those towns and the rules will differ⁶. Setting and taxes: Marshall County has about 29,405 people at 96.3 people per square mile, is roughly 53 miles from the nearest metro area, and carries a 0.5% effective property tax rate with a $637 median tax bill²⁵²⁶²⁷¹¹²⁸.

Watch-outs

Whether Marshall County has adopted any building code, and what applies outside its incorporated towns, is not stated on the county's own pages — confirm with the County Commission before you build⁶.
The state's new right-to-ADU law only reaches West Virginia municipalities; it does not require unincorporated Marshall County to allow accessory dwelling units¹⁰.
No official source names Marshall County's floodplain permit officer; call the County Commission to be directed to the right office before building near a stream or floodplain²⁰⁶.

Sources

Written September 24, 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.

How Marshall County scores

Seclusion65100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency52100% ev.

Admin Boringness86100% ev.

Durability68100% 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 →

$140kTypical home

0.5%Property tax

$3,668Land / acre

45.7"Annual rain

2.2% of yrsSevere drought

2.5 / yr (+2.4)Mid-century 100°F days

10 daysMid-century dry spell

1.61" (+7.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.77×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,083Home insurance / yr

-1.1% / yrInsurance growth

0.63%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

7,834People within 30 min

2,726,080People within 2 hr

63,137Radius comparison (15 mi)

96.3People / sq mi

0.2%Federal land

12.2%Land at 15% slope or less

0.5%Septic soil without severe limits

861 acWorkable land screen

75.8%Wooded land

59.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac

52.2°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Marshall County

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

Marshall County rules

Camping on your landLimited
Camping at campgrounds and other recreational facilities in Marshall County.
- Campgrounds are subject to West Virginia Legislative Rule 64 CSR 18, the General Sanitation Rule.
- The Marshall County Health Department directs applicants to obtain or renew permits for covered facilities.
- The cited page does not establish permission for informal camping outside regulated recreational facilities.
“RECREATIONAL FACILITIES : Campgrounds, Fairs & Festivals, Mass Gatherings, Organized Camps, Parks, and Playgrounds.”
General Sanitation ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Who permits septicCounty
Local Health Department processing and acting on individual sewage permit applications in Marshall County.
- The state procedure assigns application decisions and action to the Local Health Department.
- Marshall County Health Department publishes the sewage system and well permit application for residents.
“Sewage System & Well Permit Application (PDF)”
Review of Individual Water Well and Sewage System Permit Applications ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Development in the floodplain and stream-related development administered by the local county floodplain permit officer in Marshall County, including dredging, filling, grading, excavation, and new or replacement bridges, culverts, and other stream crossings.
- The source states that every West Virginia county has a floodplain ordinance and permitting system; incorporated municipalities may administer their own rules because Marshall County states it has no jurisdiction over municipalities.
- In Approximate A zones, written assurance that flood-carrying capacity will be maintained is required; except for extremely small projects, this generally requires a pre- and post-development engineering study showing no unacceptable rise of 1 foot or greater.
- In AE zones with base flood elevations but without a designated floodway, development may not create more than a 1-foot cumulative rise; the permit officer may require an engineering study.
- In AE zones with base flood elevations and floodways, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis is required to demonstrate zero rise.
- Before issuing a permit, the county or community permit officer requires copies of all other permits required by federal or state law.
maximum cumulative rise in AE zone without designated floodway: <= 1 ft · maximum rise in Approximate A zones: < 1 ft (The source describes a rise of 1 foot or greater as unacceptable; extremely small projects may not generally require the engineering study.) · rise in AE floodway: 0 ft (Hydrologic and hydraulic analysis is required.)
““development”, for which a county or community permit is required.”
Stream Disturbance Permitting Requirements ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Floodplain permit review for watercourse alteration and other floodplain development in Marshall County.
- Before altering or relocating a watercourse in the floodplain, the applicant should consult the local county, town, or city floodplain permit officer.
- The county or community determines whether the project is within the designated floodplain and which standards apply to the particular floodplain area.
- All other permits required by federal or state law must be provided before issuance.
- Municipalities may have separate administration because Marshall County states it has no jurisdiction over municipalities.
“Review Process: Before altering or relocating a watercourse in the floodplain”
Stream Disturbance Permitting Requirements ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Building permitNot required
West Virginia has no statewide residential building code, and the Marshall County directory lists no building, zoning, planning, or permit department for unincorporated areas, indicating no general county building permit (municipalities such as Moundsville have their own).
Marshall County WV - Directory ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked
County-wide zoningAbsent
The county directory lists no zoning or planning department and no countywide zoning ordinance is identified.
Marshall County WV - Directory ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

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;”
West Virginia Code §30-42-6. Necessity for license; exemptions ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
West Virginia Code §15A-11-5, Promulgation of rules and statewide building code ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Not adopted — Statewide West Virginia building-code baseline relevant to construction in Marshall County.
  “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”
  Fiscal Year 2024 Intended Use Plan ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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.”
Fire & Life Safety Inspections ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — State Fire Marshal inspection jurisdiction for covered occupancies in West Virginia, excluding buildings used wholly as dwelling houses for no more than two families.
  “No, our office does not have jurisdiction over one to two family dwellings.”
  Office of the State Fire Marshal FAQ ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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.”
Title 87 Series 1 State Fire Code ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Projects subject to State Fire Marshal plan review and inspection processes in West Virginia.
  “All review fees must be paid before the final inspection can be scheduled. These fees cover: 1. Construction inspections 2. Final inspection 3. Occupancy permit”
  Office of the State Fire Marshal FAQ ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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.”
West Virginia Code §8A-7-1. Authority for zoning ordinance ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum lot sizeSpecified
Subdivision and land-development ordinances adopted by applicable West Virginia governing bodies and administered through applicable planning commissions.
- The cited statute requires local subdivision and land-development ordinances to include lot-size standards but does not establish a single statewide numeric minimum lot size.
- Actual requirements may vary by local ordinance, zoning district, subdivision type, or applicable exemption.
- The statute also provides for waivers from minimum standards.
lot-size regulation: Subdivision and land-development ordinances must include standards for lot sizes. (Local standards and waivers may apply.)
“The standards for setback requirements, lot sizes”
West Virginia Code §8A-4-2. Contents of subdivision and land development ordinance. ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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”
West Virginia Code §8-42-1. Definitions ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Septic permitRequired
New septic tank systems and modifications to existing septic tank systems in Marshall County under West Virginia onsite sewage rules.
- A permit must be obtained before installation.
- A permit may be issued only after review and approval of the proper application, plans, and specifications.
- Minor repairs may not require a permit, including removal of tree roots from solid-wall pipe or repair of a collapsed pipe outside the drainfield; work within the drainfield generally requires a permit.
- Repairs using absorption pits, defined as stone-filled excavations greater than three feet deep, are illegal.
“New septic tank systems and modifications to existing septic tank systems must be permitted prior to installation”
Inspection of a Standard Septic Tank System Installation ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
Installation and operation approval for septic systems in Marshall County.
- A final inspection is required to verify installation in the approved and permitted area, separation distances, construction, materials, and expected sanitary operation.
- No sewer system may be used or placed into operation until approved in writing by the director.
- No soil-absorption system may be covered until approved in writing; systems covered before approval may be ordered uncovered.
- The director may conduct as many inspections as necessary during construction, installation, modification, or operation.
“No sewer system shall be used or placed into operation until the system installation has been approved in writing by the director.”
Inspection of a Standard Septic Tank System Installation ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Well permitRequired
Drilling, modifying, or abandoning an individual water well in West Virginia.
- A permit must be obtained from the local health department before drilling, modifying, or abandoning the well.
- Individual water wells must be drilled by licensed well drillers.
“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.”
Water Wells ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
Buildings or structures utilized primarily for agricultural purposes in Marshall County and elsewhere in West Virginia, where a State Building Code, State Fire Code, or county or municipal building code or ordinance would otherwise apply.
- The exemption applies to buildings or structures utilized primarily for agricultural purposes.
- The cited statute concerns the State Building Code, State Fire Code, and county or municipal building codes or ordinances that are or may be adopted.
- A more stringent state law, county ordinance, municipal ordinance, or agency regulation may govern when legally applicable and not inconsistent with West Virginia law or recognized standards and good engineering practices.
- Enforcement of the State Building Code is the responsibility of the respective local jurisdiction.
- The source does not establish an exemption from zoning, subdivision, septic, floodplain, or other non-building-code requirements.
agricultural use: primarily agricultural purposes
“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.”
§15A-11-5. Promulgation of rules and statewide building code ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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”
West Virginia Code §8A-4-2. Contents of subdivision and land development ordinance. ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
Encroachment Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
West Virginia Code §8A-7-1. Authority for zoning ordinance ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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”
West Virginia Code §7-1-3n. Authority of certain counties as to building and housing codes; state building code ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — County building-code, permit, inspection, and land-use-control authority in floodplain or mudslide areas, including unincorporated areas.
  “To the extent and only to the extent necessary to comply with [...] such act, [...] require and issue building permits for all proposed construction”
  West Virginia Code §7-1-3v. Floodplain and mudslide area management; legislative findings; power and authority; enforcement; provisions cumulative ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026

Still unanswered

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

Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Marshall County, including unincorporated areas.
Setbacks — Required setbacks for development in Marshall County, including unincorporated areas.
Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits in Marshall County, including unincorporated areas.
Building height — Building-height limits in Marshall County, including unincorporated areas.
Living in an RV — Long-term or residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land in Marshall County, including unincorporated areas.

4 more unanswered

Tiny homes
Off-grid sanitation
Mandatory utility hookup
Short-term rentals

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 Marshall County, West Virginia

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

Marshall County scores 68/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong 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 Marshall County, West Virginia?

Marshall County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Marshall County Health Department (Environmental / Sanitation Division). 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 Marshall County, West Virginia?

Land in Marshall County runs about $3,668 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Marshall County?

Marshall County gets about 45.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2.2% of years.

How remote is Marshall County?

A representative private-land location has about 7,834 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,726,080 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.

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

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who do you contact for permits and land-use questions in Marshall County?

Does Marshall County have zoning?

How do septic and well permits work in Marshall County?

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

Building a home in Marshall County: the steps, in order

What to check before you buy land in Marshall County

Watch-outs

Sources

Marshall County in West Virginia

How Marshall County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Marshall County

Marshall County rules

West Virginia rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Marshall County, West Virginia

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

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

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

What is the water situation in Marshall County?

How remote is Marshall County?

How Marshall compares in West Virginia