Parkersburg building department

The City of Parkersburg Building and Code Enforcement Department enforces the building code, the zoning code, parts of the health and safety code, and the nuisance code inside Parkersburg city limits. Its Building and Zoning Office is on the 4th floor of the Municipal Building, 1 Government Square. Wood County properties outside the city, including Vienna and unincorporated areas, are permitted elsewhere.

When a permit is required

State and city law require a building permit before work begins for anyone inside city limits who will construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, or demolish a building or structure, or change its occupancy. The same applies to installing or modifying electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems. The city bases its rules on national and international model codes. Its permit exemptions follow the 2018 International Residential Code.

Work exempt from a building permit

Parkersburg’s “Work Exempt from Permitting” page lists, among other items:

Work	Exempt when
One-story detached accessory structure (shed, playhouse, etc.)	Floor area is 200 sq ft or less
Deck	200 sq ft or less, no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to the dwelling, and not serving the required exit door
Finish work	Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar work

The city notes that an exemption doesn’t allow work that violates the code or other ordinances. Exempt repairs must still meet code. Even when no building permit is needed, check the zoning requirements, such as setbacks, with the Zoning office. For broader context, see our guide to whether a shed needs a permit.

How to apply

The city lets you submit a building permit application online as the first step. You can also download a paper application or pick one up at the 4th-floor Building and Zoning Office. Ask the Permit or Zoning office about project-specific requirements before you prepare plans. The city warns that incomplete plans, or plans that don’t meet its requirements, may not be reviewed and will delay the permit.

Permit fees are set by the Schedule of Fees in Article 1737.02 of the Parkersburg City Code, which is linked from the Building Permits page.

Pre-approved infill home plans

The Neighborhood Infill Supported Development Initiative offers a catalog of pre-approved single- and two-family home designs for vacant or underused city lots. Builders, residents, nonprofits, and developers who choose a catalog plan get a streamlined review with faster permitting and inspections. These homes can be built in residential districts as long as the lot meets setback requirements.

Zoning

The Building Permits page says a Zoning Permit may be required before work can go ahead, so get the zoning requirements for your project from the Zoning office along with the permit requirements. Projects that need a variance or special approval go to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Planning & Development staff support the Municipal Planning Commission on land-use and development review.

Rental registration and code compliance

City Council adopted Article 1764, Residential Rental Unit Inspection and Registration, on December 16, 2025. It took effect April 15, 2026. Key terms:

• Fee: $25 per unit per year, capped at $500 per owner or entity.
• Inspection frequency: no more than once every 24 months, by city Building, Fire, or Code officials.
• Scope: life safety and habitability.
• Cost: the first and second inspections are free.

The Code Enforcement Division puts health and safety complaints first and property-maintenance issues second. Officers can issue civil citations when an owner doesn’t comply voluntarily. Code Enforcement’s direct line is (304) 424-8594.

Commercial projects and the State Fire Marshal

Covered commercial and institutional occupancies may also need West Virginia State Fire Marshal plan review. Those plans must be submitted through the state’s online Plan Review Request Portal, which has been required since March 1, 2025. The State Fire Code does not apply to buildings used only as one- or two-family dwellings.

Contacts

The Building & Code Enforcement Department is at 1 Government Square, Parkersburg, WV 26102, 4th floor of the Municipal Building, and can be reached at (304) 424-8477. Code Enforcement complaints go to (304) 424-8594.