Lewis County, West Virginia Building Permit Guide

Lewis County has no building permit of its own; for land outside Weston, the county Floodplain Administration office makes floodplain determinations for new development and the Lewis County Health Department permits septic systems. Inside Weston, the City’s Building Inspector issues permits for $25 plus $10 per $1,000 of job cost, and approval can take up to 3 business days.

What needs a permit in Lewis County?

The county publishes no building permit of its own; its permitting role is floodplain management. The Lewis County Floodplain Administration office makes floodplain determinations for new development, keeps the county’s flood maps and records of past floods, and advises on safer land use. Septic systems are permitted by the Lewis County Health Department.

Who issues permits in Lewis County?

Both towns in the county:

• Weston (3,736 residents): one City official serves as Building Inspector, Code Official, Zoning Officer and Floodplain Administrator, and issues the City’s building permits from the Municipal Building.
• Jane Lew (395): the state’s floodplain contact list shows Lewis County’s floodplain office covering the town; the town publishes no building permit rules online, so ask town hall before building.

Permit types

• County floodplain determination: the Floodplain Administration office checks new development against the flood maps.
• Septic construction permit: issued by the Health Department after a Sanitarian approves the site and the installer’s proposed system.
• Weston building permit: one application covering new construction, remodels and additions, single-family, multi-family, apartment, commercial and industrial buildings, accessory buildings, demolition, and electrical, plumbing, mechanical and sign work. It can be emailed or handed in at the Municipal Building.
• Weston right-of-way permit: for excavation or other work in a City street or right of way.

Fees

Weston bases the fee on the value of all materials and labor, rounded to the nearest dollar. Health Department sewage system permits are valid for one year from issue.

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work

In Weston, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work goes on the City building permit application, which also has a box for electrical inspection, and the City inspects electrical and plumbing work. The application lists the contractor’s West Virginia licence number and City business licence number, and the City checks that city fees and B&O taxes are current. The county publishes no trade permit for land outside Weston.

What to submit

• Weston building permit: the applicant’s details, the physical address and description of the work, plans for all contractors’ work, the total job cost, whether the site is in a flood area, contractor and subcontractor licence numbers, and a copy of the contract if there is one.
• Septic permit: an on-site sewage system application completed by the owner or a certified installer after the installer’s percolation test and site evaluation.
• Floodplain determination: the location of the new development, checked against the county’s flood maps.

How to get permits in Lewis County

Inspections

Weston requires inspections of footings, foundations, electrical and plumbing work, scheduled with the City’s Building Inspector, and its permits expire six months after issue. For septic systems, the installer must call the Health Department when the system is finished but before it is covered, so the Sanitarian can check it against the approved plan; any change to that plan during construction must be cleared with the department first.

Local details that matter in Lewis County

Comprehensive plan: the Lewis County Planning Commission posted a draft comprehensive plan for public comment and then sent the County Commission a resolution approving it, which was on the Commission’s agendas from September 22 to October 6, 2026. The plan’s action items include updating the county floodplain ordinance, and Jane Lew has said it is interested in adopting the county plan as its own.

Home sales with septic: for a Health Department home loan evaluation, the house must have been occupied for the last 30 days and the tank not pumped in the last 30 days; the Sanitarian returns after 2 days to look for dye at the surface, and the tank must be pumped if that has not been done in the last 3 years.

Weston facade grants: the City runs a 2026 facade grant program, with its own application packet on the City forms page.

West Virginia building code

West Virginia lets each county and city adopt the State Building Code or no building code at all; no other building code may be adopted, and floodplain, sewage and fire rules can apply either way. West Virginia rules

Official Lewis County permitting resources

Official Lewis County, health department and City of Weston pages used for permits.

• Lewis County Floodplain Administration
• Lewis County Commission
• WV Flood Tool flood maps
• West Virginia Code §15A-11-5, State Building Code adoption
• West Virginia State Fire Marshal
• Lewis County Health Department sewage and septic systems
• Lewis County Health Department environmental fee schedule
• Lewis County Health Department (fee notice and after-hours line)
• City of Weston contacts
• City of Weston forms and applications
• City of Weston 2026 council agendas and minutes
• Lewis County Commission agendas
• Draft Lewis County Comprehensive Plan

Lewis County permit FAQs

Does Lewis County issue building permits?

The county publishes no building permit; its role is floodplain determinations for new development, and Weston issues its own building permits.

How much is a building permit in Weston?

$25 plus $10 for each $1,000 of job cost, and approval can take up to 3 business days.

Who issues septic permits in Lewis County?

The Lewis County Health Department, 125 Court Avenue, Weston (304-269-8218); a conventional single-family system permit is $222 under the current schedule.

Who handles floodplain questions in Jane Lew?

The Lewis County Floodplain Administration office (304-269-6567), which the state lists as covering the town.

How long is a Weston permit valid?

Six months from the date it is issued.

Simplify Lewis County permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in West Virginia. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Lewis County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.