1. I want to start my own business in an unincorporated area of Putnam County. Do I need any licenses from your office?

The Office of Planning and Infrastructure does not provide any licensing but does require other regulatory approvals.

If you will be constructing a new, or expanding an existing commercial building, you need an approved development permit prior to beginning construction.  In the zoned areas of Putnam County, land use is regulated, so the uses allowed on your property must be determined.

Call the Office of Planning and Infrastructure at 304-586-0237 with the tax map and parcel number of the property, and we will advise you of the requirements for your business.

2. How do I find out if a parcel of property is zoned?

If the property is located in an unincorporated area of Putnam County, call the Putnam County Office of Planning and Infrastructure at 304-586-0237 with the tax map and parcel number of the property.  Staff will provide you with the zoning designation of the property.

Zoning information for properties within the Town of Winfield may be obtained by calling 304-586-2122 and for the City of Hurricane by calling 304-562-5968. 

The Towns of Buffalo, Bancroft and Poca have not adopted zoning regulations/ordinances.

3. Are single-wide mobile homes allowed in Putnam County?

Yes.  Within the unincorporated areas of Putnam County that are not zoned, single-wide manufactured homes (mobile homes) are permitted.

Within the zoned areas of Putnam County, single-wide manufactured homes are allowed in all zoning districts except "R-1" Single-Family Residential, "R-2" Mixed Residential, and "H-1" Highway Interchange.  A one-for-one replacement of an existing single-wide manufactured home with one that is the same size or larger is allowed if the replacement happens within one year.

4. If I want to subdivide my property, what do I need to know?

Subdivision regulations have been adopted for the unincorporated areas of Putnam County and for some of the municipalities.  By calling the Office of Planning and Infrastructure at 304-586-0237, you can schedule a free sketch plan review so we can discuss the requirements.

A surveyed plat that meets the requirements of the subdivision regulations and has been approved by the Planning Commission must be recorded in the Office of the County Clerk for any division of property.  The division of property by the use of metes and bounds description is not permitted.

5. Do I need a development (building) permit in Putnam County?

Yes.  If you propose to build or place a structure in an unincorporated area of Putnam County or in the Towns of Buffalo, Poca, or Bancroft, you will need to obtain an approved development (building) permit from the Office of Planning and Infrastructure.  An application may be obtained from the planning office, which is located in room 226 in the Putnam County Courthouse at 3389 Winfield Road, Winfield, WV or online at http://planning.putnamcounty.org  
(See "Building Permits" for more information.)

If you propose to build in the Towns of Winfield or Eleanor or in the City of Hurricane, you need to contact that town hall for their requirements.

6. Do I need a development permit if I am only adding on to a structure?

Perhaps.  You need to call the Office of Planning and Infrastructure at 304-586-0237 with the tax map and parcel number of the property, the market value of the original structure, and the cost of the expansion.  Staff can advise you whether a permit will be required.

7. Do I need a permit if I am only renovating the interior and/or the exterior of a structure?  

It depends on where the structure is located.

The unincorporated areas of Putnam County and the Towns of Buffalo and Bancroft have not adopted building codes, so you do not need a permit for renovations to the interior/exterior of a structure.

The Towns of Winfield, Poca, and Eleanor and the City of Hurricane have adopted building codes.  Contact those town halls for requirements.

8. Do I need a permit to build a fence, porch, swimming pool, driveway, etc?

Call the Office of Planning and Infrastructure at 304-586-0237 with the tax map and parcel number of the property, and we will advise you whether a permit is required.

If the property is located is a municipality, please contact the appropriate town hall.

9. How do I get floodplain information on my property?

Call the Office of Planning and Infrastructure at 304-586-0237 with the tax map and parcel number of the property. 

For More Floodplain Information
 Click Here

10. What are your office hours?

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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