New structures and other development in Wetzel County outside New Martinsville and Paden City need one county permit: a floodplain development permit from the Floodplain Manager at the Office of Emergency Management, which the county ordinance requires anywhere in the county. The two cities issue their own building permits, and septic systems are permitted by the Wetzel-Tyler Health Department.
What needs a permit in Wetzel County?
Wetzel County’s permit is set by its Floodplain Ordinance rather than a building code. It makes it unlawful to carry out development, new construction, a substantial improvement, repairs of substantial damage, or to place or move any structure, manufactured homes included, anywhere in Wetzel County without a permit or certificate of compliance from the county Floodplain Manager. Floodplain land that is to be subdivided or used for a manufactured home park also needs a site plan with elevation data approved in advance.
County Floodplain Development Permit
- Houses and other residential structures
- Commercial and industrial buildings
- Garages and detached structures
- Manufactured homes
- Excavation and fill
- Demolition
Other permits
- Septic permits from the Wetzel-Tyler Health Department
- Building permits inside New Martinsville and Paden City
- A 911 address from the county addressing office
Who issues permits in Wetzel County?
One county office handles floodplain permits, 911 addressing, emergency management and the 911 center. It is the Wetzel County Office of Emergency Management, whose director serves as the Floodplain Manager.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Office | Contact |
|---|---|
| Floodplain permits and 911 addressing (OEM/E-911) | 911 Emergency Service Lane, New Martinsville; mail P.O. Box 156, New Martinsville, WV 26155; 304-455-6960 |
| Wetzel County Commission | P.O. Box 156, New Martinsville, WV 26155; 304-455-8217 |
| Assessor | 304-455-8216 |
| Septic permits | Wetzel-Tyler Health Department, 10 Howard Jeffers Drive, New Martinsville; 304-337-2001 |
Every town in the county:
- New Martinsville (5,039 residents): the City’s Building Department at 191 Main Street (304-455-9130) issues building permits through its Building Inspector, with applications from the City Recorder.
- Paden City (1,606 on the Wetzel side): building and demolition permits from the City Recorder once the city’s Building and Safety Inspection, made up of the Fire Chief and the Public Works Superintendent, approves them.
- Hundred (240): the town’s website and posted council minutes give no building permit rules, only an ATV street permit; town hall at 58 Four Seasons Drive (304-775-5131), open Monday noon–6:00 p.m. and Tuesday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., and council meets on the first and third Mondays at 6:00 p.m.
- Pine Grove (341): the town site publishes no permit rules; town office 304-889-3351 (PO Box 286), open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., and council meets on the second Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. The state floodplain list routes the town’s floodplain contact to the county OEM (304-455-6960).
- Smithfield (96): no permit rules published online; the state floodplain list gives the town contact as 304-334-5641.
The county floodplain application
The Wetzel County Floodplain Development Permit Application asks for the applicant and contractor, the contractor’s West Virginia and city licence numbers, the property address or directions, the approximate project cost with documentation, the type of structure and a description of the work. It also asks whether underground utilities have been located through 811. The Floodplain Manager then records the flood zone (A, AE, floodway or X), whether the job is a substantial improvement, whether an elevation certificate is needed, and whether 1 or 2 feet of freeboard applies.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →The ordinance links the permit to two other county records: the Assessor’s record of property improvements and the county’s E-911 addresses.
Permit fees
The county publishes no floodplain permit fee; ask the OEM office (304-455-6960). The two cities publish theirs:
| Town | Fee |
|---|---|
| New Martinsville, jobs up to $500 and county or state work | Permit required, no fee |
| New Martinsville, residential | $25 (for $501–$1,000) plus $3 per $1,000 or fraction |
| New Martinsville, commercial | $50 (for $501–$1,000) plus $4 per $1,000 or fraction |
| New Martinsville, demolition | $10 |
| Paden City, building or demolition permit | $10 administrative fee |
Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work
New Martinsville requires a permit for electrical, plumbing and mechanical work, and its ordinance asks for proof that electrical work will be done by a state-licensed electrician. Paden City’s permit application must include a statement, signed by a licensed electrician, that the electrical work will be done or inspected by that electrician and meet code. The county publishes no trade permit of its own.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →What to submit
- County floodplain permit: the signed application, one copy of the plans and specifications, and documentation of the project cost.
- New Martinsville: a description of the land, the intended use, plans and specifications or a full statement of the building’s type and size, and proof of current state and city contractor licences; the floodplain version of the application is used for sites in the flood plain.
- Paden City: a description of the land and use, plans or a statement of the building’s type and size, and the proposed start and finish dates.
How to get permits in Wetzel County
Inside New Martinsville or Paden City, the city issues the building permit.
Download the Floodplain Development Permit Application from the county 911/Emergency Management page.
Have underground utilities marked before digging, as the county form asks.
Send the form, plans and cost documentation to the Office of Emergency Management, P.O. Box 156, New Martinsville.
Where there is no public sewer, apply to the Wetzel-Tyler Health Department.
Follow the permit and any special instructions the Floodplain Manager writes on it.
Inspections
New Martinsville’s Building Inspector reviews and signs every city permit, and for new buildings the water, sewer, fire, street and electric department heads review the plans first; a refused permit can be taken to City Council at its next regular meeting. Paden City permits expire one year after issue and demolition permits after 90 days. In the unincorporated county, the Floodplain Manager reviews development for flood compliance; the county publishes no building inspection program.
Rather not deal with the Wetzel County building department?
Get a free quote →Local details that matter in Wetzel County
New Martinsville exemptions: maintenance such as painting, replacing a deck board or patching a roof leak needs no permit, but replacing more than half of a roof does; interior jobs under $2,000 with no electrical, plumbing or structural work and slab concrete such as driveways and sidewalks need none either.
New Martinsville setbacks: new structures sit 5 feet from side property lines, 10 feet from other permanent structures and 25 feet from the front.
Asbestos: New Martinsville requires asbestos testing for new roofs over 160 square feet and for siding, or a signed hazardous material release.
Paden City: the city has no zoning or subdivision ordinance, and like-for-like construction needs no building permit.
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 Wetzel County permitting resources
Official Wetzel County, city and health department pages for permits.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →- Wetzel County Commission
- West Virginia Code §15A-11-5, State Building Code adoption
- WV Flood Tool flood maps
- West Virginia State Fire Marshal
- Wetzel County 911, Emergency Management and Floodplain
- Wetzel County Floodplain Development Permit Application
- Wetzel County Floodplain Ordinance (excerpt)
- Wetzel County directory
- Wetzel-Tyler Health Department environmental services
- New Martinsville Building Department
- New Martinsville building permit information sheet
- Paden City Building and Housing Code
- Town of Hundred
- Town of Pine Grove elected officials (WV.gov)
- Town of Pine Grove
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Wetzel County permit FAQs
Do I need a permit to build in rural Wetzel County?
Yes. The county Floodplain Ordinance requires a permit from the Floodplain Manager for development and new structures anywhere in the county.
Where do I get the county permit?
From the Office of Emergency Management, which handles floodplain permits and 911 addressing (304-455-6960).
Who issues building permits in New Martinsville?
The City’s Building Department at 191 Main Street (304-455-9130).
How much is a building permit in Paden City?
A $10 administrative fee for a building or demolition permit.
Who issues septic permits in Wetzel County?
The Wetzel-Tyler Health Department in New Martinsville (304-337-2001).
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More West Virginia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Wetzel County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.