Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Paden City, West Virginia

Paden City’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Constructing, adding to, moving or demolishing buildings, dwellings, sidewalks, driveways and patios inside Paden City city limits

  • Permit issued by the recorder upon a directive from the building and safety inspection, which is the fire chief and the public works superintendent
  • Building permits expire one year from issue; demolition permits expire 90 days from issue
  • Permit holder must contact Miss Utility before construction or demolition
  • Like-kind construction will not require a building permit
  • Application must include a statement that the work will be done or inspected by a licensed electrician (1721.02(f))
  • Permit not granted if it involves any cost to the municipality without council approval
  • Ord. 2015-9, passed 3-2-15

  “no person shall construct, add to or move or demolish any building, dwelling, sidewalk, driveway or patio or other construction within the city without having obtained a permit to do so from the recorder.”

• Local zoningAbsent

  Land inside Paden City city limits

  • Editor's note in the code; code is current through September 1, 2025 and the publisher disclaims that it may not reflect the latest legislation
  • Part Thirteen is reserved for future enactment of zoning and subdivision legislation

  “the city currently has no subdivision regulations or zoning ordinance. this part thirteen of the codified ordinances has been reserved for the future enactment of such legislation.”

• Zoning districtsNot published

  Zoning districts inside Paden City city limits

  • No zoning ordinance, so no districts

  “the city currently has no subdivision regulations or zoning ordinance. this part thirteen of the codified ordinances has been reserved for the future enactment of such legislation.”

• Minimum lot sizeNone

  Lots inside Paden City city limits (no zoning-based minimum)

  • No zoning ordinance or subdivision regulations

  “the city currently has no subdivision regulations or zoning ordinance. this part thirteen of the codified ordinances has been reserved for the future enactment of such legislation.”

• Lot coverageNone

  Lot coverage inside Paden City city limits (no zoning-based limit)

  • No zoning ordinance

  “the city currently has no subdivision regulations or zoning ordinance. this part thirteen of the codified ordinances has been reserved for the future enactment of such legislation.”

• Building heightNone

  Building height inside Paden City city limits (no zoning-based limit)

  • No zoning ordinance

  “the city currently has no subdivision regulations or zoning ordinance. this part thirteen of the codified ordinances has been reserved for the future enactment of such legislation.”

• Living in an RVProhibited

  Using an RV or tent as permanent living quarters on private or public property inside Paden City city limits

  • Only permanent living, sleeping or housekeeping and utility connection are banned, other than periodic maintenance or repair
  • RV storage on private property must follow setback and fire codes
  • City may operate seasonal campsites at Paden City park
  • Ordinance dated 3-2-20

  “the use of recreational vehicles or tents for permanent living, sleeping or housekeeping and its connection to utility services (other than for periodic maintenance and/or repair purposes) shall be prohibited on any private or public property.”

• Subdividing landNot regulated

  Subdivision of land inside Paden City city limits by city ordinance

  • State law and Planning Commission (Article 145) not reviewed

  “the city currently has no subdivision regulations or zoning ordinance.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Constructing a driveway inside Paden City city limits

  • Permit from the recorder; like-kind construction does not require a permit
  • Permit expires one year from issue

  “no person shall construct, add to or move or demolish any building, dwelling, sidewalk, driveway or patio or other construction within the city without having obtained a permit to do so from the recorder.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit review process inside Paden City city limits

  • Application filed with the recorder listing land description, purpose, plans and specifications, start and completion dates, and licensed electrician statement
  • Public works superintendent and building and safety inspector review, subject to review of the building committee
  • Fees (1721.06), appeal (1721.04) and variance (1721.07) sections not read

  “the public works superintendent and the building and safety inspector shall review and approve the same, subject to review of the building committee.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Paden City or Tyler County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Paden City city limits
• Building code adopted — Building code adopted inside Paden City city limits
• Inspections — Construction inspections inside Paden City city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Paden City city limits
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Paden City city limits

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.