Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Buckhannon, West Virginia

Buckhannon’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Buildings and structures inside Buckhannon city

  • Adopts the West Virginia State Building Code (87 CSR 4), including the 2024 International Building Code and 2024 International Residential Code as modified by 87 CSR 4.
  • Effective 30 days after second reading, i.e. September 19, 2026.
  • Earlier ordinances' inspection, permit and fee requirements not expressly amended remain in force.

  effective date: 2026-09-19

  “by adopting and incorporating by reference, as if set out at length herein, for the purposes of safeguarding life and property and to ensure the quality of construction of all structures erected, renovated, or removed”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Buckhannon city (Upshur County), which adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance (Ordinance 244, with later amendments and rezonings)

  • The full text of Ordinance 244 was too large to open, so district standards were not read.

  “244 - zoning ordinance 244 - zoning map 268 - skateboard operation 299 - zoning c4”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Residential occupancy of RVs, campers and trailers inside Buckhannon city

  • Allowed in a duly established trailer park or mobile home park maintained under city ordinances.
  • Occupying for residential purposes up to three months on the owner's property is not a violation while the owners are building, rebuilding or improving their residence.
  • Visitors may occupy an RV on developed property for 7 days without a permit, up to 28 days total per calendar year.
  • Penalty: misdemeanor, fine up to $500 or up to 30 days in jail, or both; each day is a separate offense.
  • Ordinance effective October 31, 2015.

  owner build/rebuild exception: <= 3 months (only while building, rebuilding or improving the owner's residence) · visitor RV occupancy without permit: <= 7 days (28 days total per calendar year)

  “it shall be unlawful to occupy any motor home, recreational vehicle, camper or trailer for residential purposes anywhere in the city except in a duly established trailer park or mobile home park maintained in accordance with the ordinances of the city”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Buckhannon or Upshur County directly.

• Building permit — Building permits inside Buckhannon city
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Buckhannon city
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Buckhannon city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Buckhannon city
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Buckhannon city

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.