313 Tunnelton Street
Kingwood, WV 26537
O: (304) 329-1225
F: (304) 329-1229
The building permit process allows for a citizen to ask for a variance which may or may not be granted. If the building permit does not meet requirements per the review process the issue will be discuss with the property owner/s, at which time if they wish council will refer the issue to the Board of Zoning Appeals. The Board has a process which will be followed to determine if a variance will be given.
The ordinance requires that a licensed contractor be listed on the permit but the owner can do their own work. You cannot hire a third party to work for you to complete the work unless they are a licensed contractor.
Why is my neighbor’s building on the property line but mine can’t be? As with any law in government the laws/ordinances are changed from time to time. Council is enforcing the present laws/ordinances. Other properties are grandfathered under previous versions of ordinances and may not be required to comply with current ordinances unless renovations are done which exceed 50% of the total value of the property.
Yes. Some excavating/leveling will need to be done for the pool. The pool needs to be off property lines by 5ft in side and rear yard; front yard must be same as structure in that zoning district. If a deck is to be added in the future it will need to be off property lines per ordinance.
Yes. All accessory buildings need to be 10ft off of property lines in the side and rear yards and no closer to the street in front than the present building, therefore the City needs to verify distances. The vendor delivering the building will need a City Business license to deliver and set up.
Landscaping encompasses a broad spectrum of work. If you are excavating for more than just planting plants, you will need a permit. If planting shrubs for a border, you will need a permit because of encroachment of property boundaries. General cultivation, planting and mulching do not require a permit. If in doubt, call City Hall.
WV Title 87, Series 4 State Building Code, including: 2015 IBC; 2015 IRC (delete Chapter 11); 2015 IEBC; 2015 IPC; 2015 IMC; 2015 IFGC; 2015 IPMC; 2015 ISPSC; 2014 NFPA 70 (NEC); 2009 IECC (Residential Energy); 2009 ICC/ANSI A 117.1 Standards for Accessibility; 2007 ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 (Commercial Energy). It is the responsibility of property owner /contractor to verify the code is adhered to.
Part of the planning process should include that the project is within City guidelines. Why does the City need to know who is doing my work? The City requires that any Company doing work with in the city has a City license. To obtain a City license they must have a State license. This process, although not fool proof, helps to verify that companies are valid companies and scams are reduced. What is the cost of a building permit? The permit is ten dollars ($10.00) for construction costs (labor and materials) ranging from one dollar ($1.00) to one thousand dollars ($1,000.00). Additional twenty dollars ($20.00) for construction costs ranging from one thousand one dollars ($1001.00) to two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00). Then additional five-tenth of one percent (.005) of construction costs above $2500.
Emergency permits can be issued if a true emergency justifies them (roof leaks, HVAC issues, plumbing failures, etc.) The City Supervisor /City representative will visit your site to review the permitted work and notify City Hall whether to allow the emergency permit. If the City Supervisor is not available, a City Council member can approve emergency permit.
Please be aware if the permit is reviewed and it is not an emergency, a fine of $100 can be charged and permit will not be issued until fine is paid.
The application for a building permit can be obtained at city hall. After you have provided all the information asked for in the application, it will be submitted to Council for approval. Council meets on 2 nd and 4th Tuesday of each month; application needs to be submitted by Friday of the previous week to be reviewed. After approval, the permit will need to be paid for in full and the permit will be issued. Permit must be displayed on site while work is being done. Please ask questions to the staff to assist in filling out the permit application. The process maybe slowed down or permit rejected if all of the needed information is not provided.
A building permit shall be required to be obtained by the owner or authorized agent for the construction of buildings/homes, additions/alterations to buildings/homes, remodeling, repairs or renovations performed, moving of a building/home, demolition and excavation in regard to property and structures within the municipality. A specific listing is included in the ordinance. If in question, please ask a staff member of City Hall.
313 Tunnelton Street
Kingwood, WV 26537
O: (304) 329-1225
F: (304) 329-1229