Bolthole Index

Preston County, West Virginia

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

80Index Score / 100
#1 of 55 in West Virginia

Unincorporated Preston County, West Virginia does not require a general county building permit and has no county zoning12. Construction inside an incorporated town goes through that town's city hall instead2. Septic and water-well permits remain separate requirements handled through the local health department34.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required generally in unincorporated Preston County; incorporated-town rules are separate12
Zoning
None countywide; the county has no zoning ordinance, though incorporated towns may set their own rules52
Septic permits
Preston County Health Department; required before any building permit an incorporated town issues36
Water well permits
Required from the local health department before drilling, and the well must be drilled by a licensed driller78
RV / tiny home living
The county has no zoning, but residential occupancy rules could not be confirmed; ask the County Commission2
Owner-builder
Work you personally perform on your own structure is exempt from WV contractor licensure, but this doesn't waive any building permit, code or inspection that otherwise applies910
Minimum home size
No county zoning-based minimum in unincorporated areas; septic, floodplain and other rules may still constrain a project11
Minimum lot size
No county zoning-based minimum in unincorporated areas; subdivision, septic and floodplain rules are separate12

Who to call

Also useful

Preston County Commission

General county government contact; issues the zoning letter the county provides for state licensing and is the office to ask about floodplain, subdivision and any other county land-use question not covered by another office

304-329-1805

106 W Main Street, Suite 202, Kingwood, WV 26537

Septic permits

Preston County Health Department - Environmental Services (Sewage and Water)

Individual sewage system (septic) permits and inspections, and individual water well permits, for Preston County

(304)329-0096

106 West Main Street #203, Kingwood, West Virginia 26537

Roads & driveways

Preston County (WV Division of Highways county office)

County road repair questions; the County Commission's own FAQ states the county has no control over road repairs and directs callers to this office. New driveways onto state highways still need a separate, free WV Division of Highways encroachment permit

304-329-0192

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

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

A general county building permit is not required for a home in unincorporated Preston County1. The county also has no zoning, while construction inside an incorporated area must be taken to that town's city hall2. West Virginia's State Building Code has force only where a county or municipality adopts it, rather than applying automatically across the state13. Separate approvals can still control the project: a septic system needs a permit before installation, a new well needs a local-health-department permit, and development in a designated floodplain requires floodplain review14415. Preston County's public materials do not identify a general residential inspection or certificate-of-occupancy process for unincorporated land, so ask the County Commission about those items and about the parcel's floodplain status before construction.

Who handles building, zoning and floodplain questions in Preston County?

Preston County does not publish a dedicated county building or zoning department because the county has no zoning and does not require a general permit for unincorporated residential construction12. Start with the Preston County Commission for parcel-boundary, county land-use and floodplain-office questions16. The local permit officer reviews proposed work in a designated floodplain, determines the standards that apply, and requires copies of other federal or state permits before issuing the floodplain permit; the fee varies1718. For construction inside an incorporated area, contact that town's city hall instead2. Septic and individual-well applications belong with the Preston County Health Department634. Road-repair questions go to the WV Division of Highways county office at 304-329-0192, not the County Commission19.

Does Preston County have zoning?

No. Preston County has no county zoning, and anyone building inside an incorporated area must contact that town's city hall instead2. Unincorporated land therefore has no county zoning-based setback, lot-coverage, building-height, minimum-dwelling-size or minimum-lot-size rule2021221112. Those answers are limited to zoning: septic design, floodplain standards, subdivision review, deed restrictions and other non-zoning constraints can still determine where and what you may build. The county's published materials do not confirm an unincorporated subdivision ordinance, so ask the County Commission about a recent or proposed land split. Municipal requirements are separate; Kingwood, for example, has a zoning appeals process, showing why a parcel inside town limits needs a city-hall check23.

How do septic and well permits work in Preston County?

An individual sewage system in Preston County needs approval before installation, after review of its application, plans and specifications14. Minor repairs outside the drainfield may be exempt, but work within the drainfield generally needs a permit14. The Preston County Health Department handles the local application and site-inspection work under the statewide program246. Do not cover a soil-absorption system or use the system until the director has approved the installation in writing; inspectors may require covered work to be uncovered25. Only 2% of Preston County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make septic feasibility an early purchase contingency rather than assuming a standard system will fit26. A water well also needs a local-health-department permit before drilling, alteration or abandonment and must be drilled by a licensed driller4.

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

There's no zoning-based restriction to point to, because Preston County has no zoning ordinance for unincorporated land2. That's different from an official yes: no Preston County source found for this guide states one way or the other whether long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy or manufactured-home occupancy is allowed, limited or requires a permit on unincorporated land2. Don't read the absence of zoning as a guarantee; call the County Commission and ask directly before you plan to live in an RV or tiny home full-time, especially if your land sits inside or near an incorporated town, where separate municipal rules could apply16.

How do you build a home in Preston County, step by step?

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is inside an incorporated town; town construction rules come from that city hall2.
  2. Ask the County Commission whether the building site is in a designated floodplain; floodplain development needs a permit even though unincorporated Preston County has no general residential building permit15116.
  3. Make septic feasibility a purchase contingency and apply through the Preston County Health Department before installation146.
  4. If the home needs a well, obtain the local-health-department permit before a licensed driller begins4.
  5. Apply for a free WV Division of Highways encroachment permit if the driveway will connect to a state highway27.
  6. If you will personally perform the construction, remember that the owner-builder exemption concerns contractor licensing and does not waive another applicable permit or code10.

What should you check before buying land in Preston County?

Soils and septic go together here: with only 2% of the county's soils free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, get a site evaluation from the Health Department before you commit to a purchase, and budget for an engineered system as the likely outcome26. Water is generally plentiful, with about 51.5 inches of precipitation a year and severe drought in only about 1.9% of years, but you'll still need a permitted well if there's no public supply2829. Terrain is mixed: 53.3% of the county sits at 15% slope or less, and 78.9% of the land is wooded, so expect real grading and clearing costs on steeper, more forested parcels3031. Ask the County Commission directly whether your specific parcel is inside a mapped floodplain, since the county's own floodplain permit process isn't fully documented on its public pages16. If the tract you're buying was recently split from a larger parcel, ask whether it went through a subdivision or plat process, since West Virginia law generally requires local subdivision ordinances to address lot sizes and plat approval, even though no Preston-specific ordinance was confirmed for this guide3233. Property taxes run low here: an effective rate near 0.5% and a median bill around $747 a year, against a typical home value around $147,948343536.

Watch-outs

  • A general building permit appears not to be required in unincorporated Preston County, but the County Commission's FAQ expressly confirms only that the county has no zoning; ask the Commission about inspections or occupancy paperwork1216.
  • No official Preston County source found for this guide addresses RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy, manufactured-home occupancy or accessory dwelling units; don't treat the absence of zoning as a yes on any of these until the County Commission confirms it2.
  • Development in a designated floodplain needs a permit, but Preston County's public page does not name the administering officer; ask the County Commission where to submit before you build1516.

Sources

  1. Preston County Commission FAQ (2026 county census)
  2. Frequently Asked Questions, quoted and re-checked
  3. Preston County Health Department - Sewage and Water (2026 county census)
  4. Individual Water Supplies, quoted and re-checked
  5. Frequently Asked Questions (2026 county census)
  6. Preston County Health Department - Environmental Services (Sewage and Water) (prestoncountyhealthdepartment.com)
  7. Individual Water Supplies, quoted and re-checked
  8. Water Wells (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. West Virginia Code §30-42-6. Necessity for license; exemptions (2026 county census)
  10. West Virginia Code §30-42-6. Necessity for license; exemptions (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. FAQs - Preston County, WV, quoted and re-checked
  12. FAQs - Preston County, WV, quoted and re-checked
  13. West Virginia Code §15A-11-5, Promulgation of rules and statewide building code (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Inspection of a Standard Septic Tank System Installation, quoted and re-checked
  15. Floodplain Information, quoted and re-checked
  16. Preston County Commission (prestoncountywv.gov)
  17. Floodplain Information, quoted and re-checked
  18. Floodplain Permits, quoted and re-checked
  19. Preston County (WV Division of Highways county office) (prestoncountywv.gov)
  20. FAQs - Preston County, WV, quoted and re-checked
  21. FAQs - Preston County, WV, quoted and re-checked
  22. FAQs - Preston County, WV, quoted and re-checked
  23. Frequently Asked Questions, quoted and re-checked
  24. Sewage Program: Division of Responsibility, quoted and re-checked
  25. Inspection of a Standard Septic Tank System Installation, quoted and re-checked
  26. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  27. Encroachment Permits, quoted and re-checked
  28. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  32. West Virginia Code §8A-4-2. Contents of subdivision and land development ordinance. (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  33. West Virginia Code §8A-4-2. Contents of subdivision and land development ordinance. (West Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  34. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  35. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  36. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data

Written September 28, 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

Preston County in West Virginia

80
County map
Preston County highlighted among the West Virginia counties · colored by Index score

How Preston County scores

Seclusion77100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency66100% ev.
Admin Boringness88100% ev.
Durability88100% ev.
Property Autonomy26100% ev.
Carry Cost89100% 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 →

$148kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$3,218Land / acre
51.5"Annual rain
1.9% of yrsSevere drought
0.6 / yr (+0.6)Mid-century 100°F days
9.1 daysMid-century dry spell
1.52" (+5.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.7×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,132Home insurance / yr
-0.8% / yrInsurance growth
0.42%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
6,573People within 30 min
1,202,092People within 2 hr
42,241Radius comparison (15 mi)
52.6People / sq mi
1.8%Federal land
53.3%Land at 15% slope or less
2%Septic soil without severe limits
8,321 acWorkable land screen
78.9%Wooded land
68.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
49.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Preston County

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

Preston County rules

  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    County zoning in Preston County, including unincorporated areas.

    • The county FAQ directs persons building inside an incorporated area to contact that city hall; municipal rules may therefore apply within incorporated areas.
    “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Absent — County zoning and planning regulations in Preston County.
      “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across Preston County, including unincorporated areas and incorporated municipalities.

    • The county states that it has no zoning.
    • For construction inside an incorporated area, the county directs applicants to contact that city hall; municipal rules therefore must be checked separately.
    “The Board of Zoning Appeals determines if a conditional or non-conforming use of property shall be permitted if application for a variance has been received from owner/s of said property.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Absent — County zoning in Preston County unincorporated areas.
      “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
  • Zoning districtsNot published

    County zoning districts and county zoning regulations in Preston County; incorporated municipalities are outside this countywide conclusion.

    • If building inside an incorporated area, contact that city hall because municipal requirements may apply.
    “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Not published — County zoning districts in unincorporated Preston County.
      “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
    • Not published — County zoning districts and zoning regulations in unincorporated Preston County.
      “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
    • Not published — County zoning districts in unincorporated Preston County.
      “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeNone

    Minimum dwelling size requirements arising from Preston County zoning or planning regulations in unincorporated areas.

    • The county FAQ states that incorporated-area construction must be addressed with the relevant city hall; municipal rules may apply inside incorporated areas.
    • This claim does not address state building, health, septic, floodplain, or other non-zoning requirements.
    “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
  • Minimum lot sizeNone

    Minimum lot size requirements arising from Preston County zoning or planning regulations in unincorporated areas.

    • The county FAQ states that incorporated-area construction must be addressed with the relevant city hall; municipal rules may apply inside incorporated areas.
    • This claim does not address subdivision, septic, floodplain, or other non-zoning requirements.
    “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
  • SetbacksNone

    Setback requirements arising from Preston County zoning or planning regulations in unincorporated areas.

    • The county FAQ states that incorporated-area construction must be addressed with the relevant city hall; municipal rules may apply inside incorporated areas.
    • This claim does not address subdivision, building-code, septic, floodplain, or other non-zoning requirements.
    “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • None — County zoning-based setback requirements in unincorporated Preston County.
      “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
  • Lot coverageNone

    Lot-coverage requirements arising from Preston County zoning or planning regulations in unincorporated areas.

    • The county FAQ states that incorporated-area construction must be addressed with the relevant city hall; municipal rules may apply inside incorporated areas.
    • This claim does not address subdivision, building-code, septic, floodplain, or other non-zoning requirements.
    “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • None — County zoning-based lot-coverage requirements in unincorporated Preston County.
      “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
  • Building heightNone

    Building-height requirements arising from Preston County zoning or planning regulations in unincorporated areas.

    • The county FAQ states that incorporated-area construction must be addressed with the relevant city hall; municipal rules may apply inside incorporated areas.
    • This claim does not address state or municipal building codes, subdivision, septic, floodplain, or other non-zoning requirements.
    “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • None — County zoning-based building-height requirements in unincorporated Preston County.
      “No, the county has no zoning. If you are building inside an incorporated area you need to contact that city hall.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New development in designated floodplain areas of Preston County.

    • The county floodplain ordinance and map govern the designated floodplain areas.
    • Development includes dredging, filling, grading, and excavation.
    • The local permit officer determines the applicable standards for the particular floodplain area.
    • Some jurisdictions regulate activities in and around streams regardless of floodplain designation.
    • Other federal or state permits must be provided before issuance of the floodplain permit.
    “The ordinance includes a flood map that designates floodplain areas, and establishes a permitting system to regulate new development in the floodplain.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — The Route 7 waterline-extension project portions that cross the 100-year floodplain of Dillan Creek in Preston County.
      “The project is located near a riverine/freshwater pond and portions of the project will cross a 100-year floodplain of Dillan Creek; a floodplain development permit through Preston County will be required prior to construction.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Floodplain permits for development in Preston County.

    • The local county, town, or city floodplain permit officer determines whether a permit is required and the applicable fee.
    • The source states that permit cost varies.
    • Before issuing a permit, the permit officer requires copies of all other permits required by federal or state law.

    permit cost: varies

    “Every county and flood prone municipality in West Virginia participates in the National Floodplain Insurance Program (NFIP) [...] Permit Cost: Varies”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Development within designated floodplain areas of Preston County.

    • The county or community reviews whether the project is within the designated floodplain and determines the specific standards for the particular floodplain area.
    • Approximate A zones require written assurance that flood-carrying capacity will be maintained; most non-extremely-small projects generally require pre- and post-development engineering studies showing no unacceptable rise of 1 foot or greater.
    • AE zones without a designated floodway may not create more than a 1-foot cumulative rise, and the permit officer may require an engineering study.
    • AE zones with floodways require hydrologic and hydraulic analysis demonstrating zero rise in base flood elevation.
    • Copies of all other permits required by federal or state law are required before permit issuance.

    maximum cumulative rise in AE zone without floodway: <= 1 ft · rise in AE zone with floodway: 0 ft

    “In reviewing permit applications, the county or community will determine if the proposed project is within the designated floodplain”
  • Building permitNot required

    West Virginia has no statewide residential building code for rural counties, and the county's official FAQ indicates no county-level building codes/zoning; building regulation applies only within incorporated towns (contact the city hall).

    Preston County Commission FAQ ↗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;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available — A person personally performing construction work on real property the person owns or leases, including residential property in Preston County, for purposes of West Virginia contractor-licensing requirements.
      “(2) A person who personally performs construction work on the site of real property which the person owns or leases whether for commercial or residential purposes;”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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”
  • Who permits septicState

    Installation or establishment of sewage or excreta-disposal systems, including individual sewage systems, in Preston County and statewide West Virginia.

    • West Virginia Code assigns the written-permit requirement to the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized representative.
    • The active state rule is administered under the Health agency's Sewage Systems rule, Series 64-09.
    • The cited statute excludes commercial or industrial wastes subject to West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection regulatory control.
    “without first obtaining a written permit to install or establish the system or method from the commissioner or his or her authorized representative.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • State — Individual or dual on-site sewage disposal systems in Preston County, including subsurface systems, gray-water systems, privies, holding tanks, and specified alternative systems.
      “The Public Health Sanitation Division shall have primacy in all matters relating to: 1. Individual or dual on-site sewage disposal systems utilizing subsurface absorption, gray water systems, privies, and sewage holding tanks.”
    • Mixed (with conditions) — Individual and dual on-site sewage disposal systems in Preston County, including systems using subsurface absorption, gray water systems, privies, sewage holding tanks, and specified alternative systems.
      “Consequently, the Local Health Department is required to make decisions and act upon the information contained in whichever application is received first. [...] Review of an individual sewage system permit application must be accomplished within 21 business days after receipt”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New standard septic tank systems and modifications to existing septic tank systems in Preston County.

    • The system must be permitted before installation.
    • Permits may be issued only after review and approval of the submitted application, plans, and specifications.
    • A few minor repairs may be performed without a permit, including removal of tree roots from solid-wall pipe or repair of a collapsed pipe outside the drainfield.
    • Work within the drainfield area will generally require a permit.
    • Repairs using absorption pits, defined in the source 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, pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.3 of the WV Legislative Rule 64 CSR 9, Sewer Systems, Sewage Treatment Systems, and Sewage Tank Cleaners”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — New septic tank systems and modifications to existing septic tank systems in Preston County.
      “New septic tank systems and modifications to existing septic tank systems must be permitted prior to installation, pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.3 of the WV Legislative Rule 64 CSR 9, Sewer Systems, Sewage Treatment Systems, and Sewage Tank Cleaners”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Installation of a standard septic tank system or modification of an existing septic tank system in Preston County, after installation and before the system is covered.

    • No sewer system may be used or placed into operation until installation has been approved in writing by the director.
    • No soil-absorption portion may be covered until approved in writing by the director.
    • Any part covered before approval may be ordered uncovered.
    • The director may make as many inspections as necessary during construction, installation, modification, or operation to determine compliance.
    • The state procedure identifies proper final inspection as necessary to verify the approved permitted area, separation from water wells, construction according to design, approved materials, and protection against public-health hazards.
    “No sewer system shall be used or placed into operation until the system installation has been approved in writing by the director. [...] No part of any sewer system utilizing soil absorption disposal of effluent shall be covered until the system has been approved in writing by the director.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Installation and modification of septic tank systems in Preston County.
      “No part of any sewer system utilizing soil absorption disposal of effluent shall be covered until the system has been approved in writing by the director. Any part of the system that is covered prior to approval shall be uncovered upon oral or written order of the director.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Drilling, construction, alteration, or abandonment of water wells in Preston County.

    • The permit is obtained jointly by the water-well contractor and property owner.
    • Application must be made at least 15 calendar days before the actual drilling, construction, alteration, or abandonment unless emergency conditions apply.
    • Emergency permits have separate notice, application, and completion-report deadlines.
    • Repair, redevelopment, cleaning, or screen replacement that does not deepen the well, and acidizing, may be conducted by a certified well driller without an individual permit issued by the Commissioner.
    • The permit is generally valid for one year from issuance unless extended upon written request.
    • The rule is effective July 1, 2026 and terminates August 1, 2028.

    advance application deadline: >= 15 calendar days (unless emergency conditions prevail) · permit validity: 1 year (unless extended upon written request)

    “No person shall drill, construct, alter, or abandon a water well unless the Commissioner, pursuant to this rule, has issued a valid permit, except where the emergency procedures set forth in subsection 4.3 of this rule apply.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Drilling, modifying, or abandoning an individual water well serving a property in Preston County.
      “No person shall drill, construct, alter, or abandon a water well unless the Commissioner, pursuant to this rule, has issued a valid permit, except where the emergency procedures set forth in subsection 4.3 of this rule apply.”
    • Required — Drilling, modifying, or abandoning an individual drinking-water well in Preston County.
      “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.”
    • 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 exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Buildings or structures utilized primarily for agricultural purposes in West Virginia, including unincorporated Preston County.

    • The exemption applies to buildings or structures utilized primarily for agricultural purposes.
    • The exemption covers the State Building Code, 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.
    • Any other state law, county ordinance, municipal ordinance, or agency regulation imposing a more stringent or higher standard governs if not inconsistent with West Virginia law and recognized standards and good engineering practices.
    • Enforcement of the State Building Code is the responsibility of the respective local jurisdiction.
    “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
    • Available — Agricultural lands or operations are exempt from county ordinances adopted under West Virginia Code §7-1-3ff regulating unsafe or unsanitary dwellings and other buildings.
      “Plenary power and authority are hereby conferred upon every county commission to adopt ordinances regulating the repair, alteration, or improvement, or the vacating and closing or removal or demolition, or any combination thereof, of any dwellings or other buildings, except for buildings or dwellings on agricultural lands or operations as defined in §19-19-2 of this code, unfit for human habitation due to dilapidation, defects increasing the hazard of fire, accidents, or other calamities, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or any other conditions prevailing in any dwelling or building, whether used for human habitation or not, which would cause the dwellings or other buildings to be unsafe, unsanitary, dangerous, or detrimental to the public safety or welfare, whether the result of natural or manmade force or effect.”
  • 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 to West Virginia state highways, including such connections in Preston County.

    • The permit is available free of charge from any Division of Highways 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 installation can result in a fine or removal by Highways employees.
    • Applicants should check with the District Office before building.

    permit fee: 0 USD (Available free of charge from any Division of Highways office)

    “Available free of charge from any Division office, permits are required by state law”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — New driveways or approaches connecting property to West Virginia state highways in Preston County.
      “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. Unauthorized driveway installation can result in a fine or removal by Highways employees.”
    • Required — New driveways or approaches accessing a state highway in West Virginia, including Preston County.
      “Permits are granted when the driveway or approach is for the legitimate purpose of gaining access to private property and when its location, design and construction is in accordance with DOH specifications.”
    • Required — New driveways or approaches connecting private property to West Virginia state highways or located within state highway rights-of-way.
      “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.”
  • 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.

  • Living in an RV — Long-term, permanent, or residential occupancy of a recreational vehicle on private land in Preston County, including unincorporated areas
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping by an RV, travel trailer, or similar unit on private land in Preston County
  • Tiny homes — Occupancy of a tiny home as a dwelling in Preston County, including unincorporated areas
  • Manufactured homes — Occupancy of a manufactured home as a dwelling in Preston County, including unincorporated areas
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation systems, including private onsite systems, privies, composting toilets, and similar systems in Preston County.
2 more unanswered
  • 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 Preston County, West Virginia

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

Preston County scores 80/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and a durable current and mid-century hazard profile. Watch-outs: a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop.

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

Preston 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 Preston County Health Department (under WV DHHR rules). 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 Preston County, West Virginia?

Land in Preston County runs about $3,218 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Preston County?

Preston County gets about 51.5" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 1.9% of years.

How remote is Preston County?

A representative private-land location has about 6,573 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,202,092 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 Preston County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Preston compares in West Virginia

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