Beckley building department

The City of Beckley Code Enforcement Office handles site planning, zoning, building permits, inspections, and property maintenance inside Beckley city limits. Unlike City Hall, the office is at 232 Industrial Drive. It is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., so plan any in-person visit early in the day. Raleigh County properties outside the city are handled by a different authority.

When Beckley requires a permit

An owner or authorized agent must get a building permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, or demolishing a building or structure, or changing its occupancy. A permit is also required to install or replace code-regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems. Beckley also has a firm occupancy rule: no land or building may be occupied or used, in whole or in part, until the Code Enforcement Office issues a Certificate of Occupancy. The CO confirms compliance with zoning and with the building and fire codes, and the city keeps it as a permanent property record.

Adopted codes

Beckley enforces the West Virginia State Building Code along with:

• 2018 International Building Code and International Residential Code
• 2018 International Existing Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Fuel Gas Codes
• 2015 IECC for residential work, and ASHRAE 90.1-2013 for commercial work
• 2018 Property Maintenance Code and 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
• 2020 NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code)
• the 2021 edition of the National Fire Codes and its supplement, as the fire prevention code

The pre-application and what to bring

Start with the Building Permit Pre-Application, which you can download or pick up at 232 Industrial Drive. The form asks for:

• the tax map, parcel, lot, and tax district
• the owner, any lessee, and the applicant
• whether the work is new construction or remodeling, and whether it is residential or commercial
• the licensed firm for each trade, from footer and foundation through electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, asbestos, and sprinkler work
• square footage for each floor, basement, crawl space, garage, deck or porch, and storage building
• the estimated cost of labor and materials

Page two is a site plan where you mark the zoning district and the front, rear, and side setbacks. Several approvals must be in hand before the permit can be issued:

• Storm water retention plan: must be reviewed and approved before the permit issues. Call the Beckley Sanitary Board at (304) 256-1760.
• Sewer tap: bring your sewer tap receipt.
• Electrical service: for a new service or a change to an existing one, contact AEP (877-237-2886) for a work order number. Bring that number when you apply. The city cannot inspect without it.
• House numbers: must be at least 4 inches tall and posted where they are easy to see.

Plan review

Code Enforcement reviews plans at no charge. Structural work requires plans. Residential projects need two sets. Commercial projects need three sets, with the city’s preferred format being two PDF sets and one paper set for the job site. The city holds plan reviews on scheduled days, so build that into your project schedule. Commercial permits must be approved by the City of Beckley Fire Marshal before they are issued. For B&O tax questions tied to a job, call (304) 256-1758.

Contractor registration

Every contractor must register with Code Enforcement before getting a permit. Submit the city Contractor Application with:

• a West Virginia Contractor’s License
• a WV State Tax Business Registration Certificate
• proof of WV workers’ compensation coverage
• public liability insurance
• any applicable plumbing, electrical, or HVAC mechanic licenses

Inspections

Give at least 24 hours’ notice when you schedule an inspection. Work must stay accessible until it is approved. The city’s list of inspections:

1. Footings and foundation
2. Concrete slab and under-floor
3. Lowest floor elevation, in flood hazard areas
4. Framing
5. Gypsum board or panels in fire-resistance or shear assemblies
6. Energy efficiency (insulation)
7. Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical
8. Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy

Floodplain, zoning, and historic review

Any construction or development in a flood hazard area needs a separate Floodplain Development Permit. The city points applicants to the WV Flood Tool to check a property.

Zoning questions also go to Code Enforcement at (304) 256-1738. The Planning Commission approves all site plans and zoning changes and meets on the first Tuesday of the month. Hearings require legal notice 15 days in advance. The Board of Zoning Appeals hears appeals and conditional-use requests. Exterior work, murals, or super graphics in the B-3 zone around Courthouse Square need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Landmark Commission. Interior remodeling above the ground floor is exempt.

Separate from the city Fire Marshal, covered commercial occupancies may also need West Virginia State Fire Marshal plan review, which has been portal-only since March 1, 2025. The State Fire Code does not apply to one- and two-family dwellings.

Contacts

You can reach Code Enforcement at 232 Industrial Drive, Beckley, WV 25801, at (304) 256-1738, or by email at [email protected]. The main City Hall line, at 409 South Kanawha Street, is (304) 256-1768.