Development inside a FEMA-mapped flood hazard area of Randolph County needs a floodplain development permit from the Floodplain Manager, who is the Director of the Office of Emergency Management; the application fee is $20 and processing takes 7 to 10 business days. The Floodplain Ordinance behind the permit has been in effect since September 29, 2010, and the county’s ordinance list holds no building code. Building permits inside Elkins and Beverly come from the city and town.
What requires a permit in Randolph County?
The ordinance does not reach land outside the mapped floodplain, but it makes the county the place to find out: any development, new construction, substantial improvement or placement of a structure needs a floodplain determination from the county, and work found to be in the floodplain needs a development permit.
In zones A, A1-30, AE, AH or B
- Construction, alterations, additions and remodeling
- Utilities, excavation, fill and paving
- Fencing
- Storage of equipment or materials
- Campgrounds
- Manufactured homes, which need an anchoring certificate
- Bridges, culverts and other stream crossings
No county permit
- Land outside the mapped floodplain, once the county’s floodplain determination confirms it
- Work inside Elkins, Beverly and the other towns, which follow their own rules
Who issues permits in Randolph County?
The ordinance appoints the Director of the Randolph County Office of Emergency Management as Floodplain Manager, with the power to grant or deny floodplain development permits. The county’s posted ordinances (E-911, fire fees, hotel tax, unsafe buildings and lands) include no building code.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Area | Who issues permits |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated Randolph County | Floodplain Manager, Office of Emergency Management/911, 194 Airport Road, Elkins, WV 26241; 304-636-0483, ext. 1; weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Elkins | City of Elkins Building, Code Enforcement & Zoning Department, 401 Davis Avenue; 304-636-1414 |
| Beverly | Town of Beverly Building Permit Request; town office 304-636-5360, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Harman, Huttonsville, Mill Creek | Building permits: the published sources do not say; ask town hall: Harman 304-227-4715, Huttonsville 304-642-3492, Mill Creek 304-335-4795. Floodplain: the county Floodplain Manager, 304-636-0483 |
| Montrose, Womelsdorf (Coalton) | Building permits: the published sources do not say. Floodplain: the county Floodplain Manager, 304-636-0483 |
| Septic systems | Randolph-Elkins Health Department, 32 Randolph Avenue, Elkins; 304-636-0396 |
The Randolph County Commission is at 4 Randolph Avenue, Suite 207, Elkins (304-636-2057).
Randolph County floodplain forms
The county’s Floodplain Application Packet holds three forms:
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →- Floodplain Determination Application: owner, structure owner, latitude and longitude and the 911 address, so the determination official can say whether the site is outside the Special Flood Hazard Area, inside it (with the FIRM zone), or in the floodway. Determinations use flood maps dated September 29, 2010.
- Floodplain Development Permit Application: owner and contractor with state and city licence numbers, site address and coordinates, type of development (constructed or manufactured home, porches, garages, commercial, industrial, fill, telecommunication tower or stream crossing), foundation type, estimated cost of labor and materials, utilities and septic approval.
- Simple Site Plan: a sketch showing the stream and its direction of flow, proposed and existing structures, the driveway and the roads.
Randolph County permit costs
The floodplain application fee is $20, paid by check to the Sheriff of Randolph County with “Flood Plain application” in the memo. Applications can be mailed, or dropped off after calling 304-636-0483, ext. 1. The applicant also pays any fees FEMA charges when a map revision is needed.
What to include with a floodplain application
Every application
- The completed application, signed and dated by the property owners and the applicant
- Coordinates, general location and tax parcel information
- A copy of the property’s legal description
- Site plans with a detailed description of the work
- A site sketch of utilities, roads, driveways, outbuildings and tanks (hand-drawn is fine)
- The $20 payment
When it applies
- Septic permit from the Randolph-Elkins Health Department for an individual sewage system
- Manufactured home anchoring certificate
- Elevation certificates at the start and on completion
- Flood proofing certificate
- State permits such as DOH or DEP approvals
- A surveyor’s detailed site plan with Base Flood Elevation and lowest adjacent grade when the site is in, or too close to call for, the floodplain
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →The permit is not issued until every other required local, state or federal permit has been obtained.
How to apply: 5-step Randolph County process
In Elkins or Beverly, apply for the city or town building permit instead.
File the Floodplain Determination Application with the Office of Emergency Management.
Septic, anchoring, elevation and any state permits come first.
Mail or deliver it to 194 Airport Road, Elkins, with plans, sketch and the $20 check; allow 7 to 10 business days.
Start within 6 months of issue, and do not use the building until the certificate is issued.
Inspections and revocation
By applying, the owner lets the Floodplain Manager or a representative make reasonable inspections before the Certificate of Compliance is issued. The permit can be revoked for false statements or for work that differs from the application, and all work must then stop until a permit is re-issued.
Elkins, Beverly and the other towns
Elkins: the City’s Building, Code Enforcement & Zoning Department issues building permits and zoning permits. City code requires a permit to erect, construct, install, repair, alter or enlarge any building or structure, and for electrical wiring, gas systems and plumbing that are or will become part of a structure. The City’s zoning code was updated on August 18, 2022, and most permanent and temporary signs need a sign permit.
Rather not deal with the Randolph County building department?
Get a free quote →Beverly: the Town’s Building Permit Request covers new structures and additions (both need plans), repairs and other work, with a sketch of building dimensions and setbacks. The fee is $15 for work up to $1,000 and an additional $10 per $1,000 above that. Starting before the permit is approved brings a $50 penalty that is never waived, and the request can need sign-off from the building inspector, the Landmark Commission and the zoning board.
Other towns: the published sources do not say how Harman, Huttonsville, Mill Creek, Montrose or Womelsdorf (Coalton) handle building permits; call town hall before starting work. The state’s floodplain manager list (October 2025) shows the county Floodplain Manager covering all five, and Beverly, under a county support agreement, while Elkins has its own floodplain manager.
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 Randolph County permitting resources
- State Fire Marshal licensing
- State building-code adoption statute
- Randolph County contacts
- Randolph County floodplain ordinance
- Randolph County floodplain compliance notice
- Randolph County document center
- Randolph County floodplain application packet
- Randolph County Office of Emergency Management/911
- Randolph County ordinances
- Randolph-Elkins Health Department (state listing)
- City of Elkins Building, Code Enforcement & Zoning
- Town of Beverly document center (Building Permit Request)
- WV Flood Tool floodplain managers list (October 2025)
Randolph County permit FAQs
Does Randolph County issue building permits?
Not for general construction. The county issues floodplain development permits for work in mapped flood hazard areas; Elkins and Beverly issue building permits inside their limits.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How do I know if my land is in the floodplain?
File a Floodplain Determination Application with the Office of Emergency Management. The determination is based on the county’s flood maps dated September 29, 2010.
How much is a floodplain permit and how long does it take?
The application fee is $20, payable to the Sheriff of Randolph County, and processing takes 7 to 10 business days.
How long is the floodplain permit valid?
It expires if no work has started within 6 months of the date of issue.
Who issues building permits in Elkins?
The City of Elkins Building, Code Enforcement & Zoning Department at 401 Davis Avenue (304-636-1414).
Who handles septic permits?
The Randolph-Elkins Health Department at 32 Randolph Avenue, Elkins (304-636-0396); a copy of the septic permit goes with a floodplain application.
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More West Virginia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Randolph County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.