Building on flood-prone land anywhere in Mingo County, Williamson, Delbarton, Gilbert, Kermit and Matewan included, starts with a floodplain development permit from the county floodplain manager (304-235-0566), and the Mingo County Health Department permits septic systems and wells, $185 for a conventional septic system. The county publishes no building code or county building permit; Gilbert has adopted the State Building Code in its town code.
What requires a permit in Mingo County?
The state’s list of local floodplain managers names the Mingo County floodplain manager for the unincorporated county and, under county-support agreements, for all five municipalities. Building, placing a manufactured home or filling land in a mapped flood zone therefore goes through that one county office before work starts.
County-level permits
- Floodplain development permit: county floodplain manager
- New, altered or repaired septic system: Health Department construction permit
- New, modified or abandoned water well: Health Department construction permit, applied for by a certified driller
- Subdivision lots without public sewer: Health Department review, $100 for 1–10 lots
Inside a town
- Gilbert: the town code adopts the State Building Code for all structures erected or removed in town
- Williamson, Delbarton, Kermit and Matewan: town hall for any local building or business requirement
- All five towns: floodplain permits still through the county floodplain manager
Who handles permitting in Mingo County?
The Mingo County Commission meets in the courthouse at 75 East 2nd Avenue, Williamson, and takes county business calls at 304-235-0380. Floodplain permits go to the county floodplain manager.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Floodplain permits (county and towns) | Mingo County floodplain manager, 304-235-0566 |
| County Commission | 75 East 2nd Avenue, Williamson, WV 25661; 304-235-0380 |
| Septic systems and wells | Mingo County Health Department, 101 Logan Street, Suite 201, Williamson; 304-235-3570 |
Town halls, as listed by the Mingo County Redevelopment Authority:
- Williamson (county seat): City Hall, 107 East 4th Avenue, 304-235-1510
- Gilbert: Town Hall, 5 Wharncliffe Avenue, 304-664-9625; the town code adopts the State Building Code, and its 2012 floodplain chapter requires a floodplain development permit and site plan for any development in town, with a flat floodplain determination fee and an added fee based on the construction value in the flood hazard area
- Delbarton: 1 Riverside Drive, 304-475-3359
- Kermit: 101 Main Street, 304-393-3563
- Matewan: 304-426-4092
For Williamson, Delbarton, Kermit and Matewan the published sources do not say whether the town issues building permits; ask town hall before work starts.
Mingo County permit types
Floodplain development permit. Issued by the county floodplain manager for sites in the unincorporated county and in all five towns. Have the parcel’s flood zone from the West Virginia Flood Tool ready when you call.
Septic construction permit. A certified installer runs the percolation test and site evaluation and files the application with the owner. A Health Department sanitarian visits the site with the installer, and the construction permit follows the sanitarian’s approval. Changes found during installation must be cleared with the department first.
Water well permit. A certified well driller applies; the sanitarian checks the distance from the septic system and buildings before the construction permit is issued.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Home loan evaluation. Lenders often want an existing septic system and well checked before a sale; the Health Department does this on application.
Permit costs and fees in Mingo County
The county floodplain manager (304-235-0566) quotes any floodplain permit fee. The Mingo County Board of Health’s posted fee schedule (FY2022) sets these environmental permit fees:
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Conventional sewage system | $185 |
| Alternative sewage system | $375 |
| Home aeration unit | $375 |
| Sewage system re-inspection | $50 |
| Water well | $125 |
| Subdivision review, 1–10 lots | $100 |
| Subdivision review, 11 lots or more | $12 per lot |
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work
Mingo County publishes no electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit. In Gilbert, the town code makes the State Building Code, including its plumbing and mechanical parts, the standard for construction in town, so ask Gilbert Town Hall which permits and inspections it requires. Plumbing that connects to a septic system or well is part of the Health Department’s permit and final inspection.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →What to have ready
Floodplain permit
- Site address and tax map and parcel number
- Flood zone from the West Virginia Flood Tool
- Description and size of the building or fill
- Elevation data from a surveyor where the site is in a mapped flood zone
Septic permit
- Name of the certified installer
- Percolation test and site evaluation by the installer
- On-site sewage system application signed by the owner or installer
- Planned house size and location so the sanitarian can check the layout
How to apply: 5-step Mingo County process
Look up the parcel on the West Virginia Flood Tool, which also shows whether it lies in Williamson or another town.
Phone 304-235-0566 to describe the project and get the floodplain permit application, wherever in the county the site is.
Inside a town, call town hall; in Gilbert, ask how the State Building Code is applied to your project.
Hire a certified installer or driller, who files with the Health Department at 101 Logan Street, Williamson.
Call the Health Department before a septic system is covered, and keep the floodplain permit and any elevation certificate for the property file.
Rather not deal with the Mingo County building department?
Get a free quote →Mingo County inspections
The Health Department inspects every new or repaired septic system before it is covered, comparing it with the approved plan; a repeat visit costs $50. A well driller files a completion report with the department within 30 days of finishing.
Local Mingo County details that matter
One floodplain office for the county: because the five towns rely on the county for floodplain management, a builder in Williamson deals with the same floodplain manager as one in the rural county.
Home sales: for a Health Department home loan evaluation, the house must have been lived in for the last 30 days and the septic tank not pumped in that time.
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
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Official Mingo County permitting resources
- West Virginia county and town floodplain managers list
- West Virginia Flood Tool
- Mingo County Health Department: sewage systems and wells
- Mingo County Board of Health environmental fee schedule (FY2022)
- Town of Gilbert Code §150.15: State Building Code adoption
- Town of Gilbert Code Chapter 151: floodplain regulations
- Mingo County Redevelopment Authority: municipal contacts
- WV.gov Mingo County courthouse listing
- WV Code 15A-11-5: State Building Code
- State Fire Marshal laws and rules
Mingo County permit FAQs
Do I need a building permit in Mingo County?
The county does not publish a building permit. A floodplain permit is needed for development in a flood zone, and a septic system or well needs a Health Department permit. In Gilbert, the town has adopted the State Building Code.
Who issues floodplain permits in Williamson?
The Mingo County floodplain manager (304-235-0566), who serves Williamson, Delbarton, Gilbert, Kermit and Matewan under agreements with the county.
How much is a septic permit in Mingo County?
$185 for a conventional system and $375 for an alternative system or home aeration unit, under the Board of Health’s posted schedule.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Who installs and permits a septic system?
A certified installer tests the site and applies; the Mingo County Health Department issues the construction permit and inspects the system before it is covered.
How do I reach the Mingo County Commission?
Call 304-235-0380 or visit the courthouse at 75 East 2nd Avenue, Williamson.
Is there a fee for a Mingo County floodplain permit?
The county floodplain manager (304-235-0566) gives the fee, if any, when you apply. Inside Gilbert, the town’s floodplain chapter charges a flat floodplain determination fee on all proposed development.
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More West Virginia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Mingo County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.