Homesteading in West Virginia
Explore 55 counties and state-level regulations for homesteaders in West Virginia.
West Virginia uses a Riparian water rights system , enforces statewide IRC building codes , and has constitutional carry. The effective property tax rate is 0.57%.
State Regulations
Water Rights
System: Riparian
Follows riparian doctrine. Public water supply withdrawals require permits from the DEP.
Statute: W. Va. Code § 22-26-1 et seq.
Building Codes
Statewide IRC: Yes (statewide)
Statewide building code applies to all new construction; based on IRC for residential. Enforcement is by local jurisdictions.
Statute: W. Va. Code § 29-3-5b
Gun Laws
Open Carry: Yes
Constitutional Carry: Yes
Permitless concealed carry for persons 21 and older (18 for military) effective 2016. Open carry legal without a permit.
Statute: W. Va. Code § 61-7-3; W. Va. Code § 61-7-7
Right to Farm
Protected: Yes
Protects farming operations from nuisance suits if the operation has been in existence for at least one year. Covers changes in ownership and expansion. Coming to the nuisance provisions included.
Statute: W. Va. Code § 19-19-1 et seq.
Counties in West Virginia
55 counties · Click column headers to sort
| County | Population | Median Home | Property Tax | Growing Days | Overall Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbour County | 15,527 | $119,000 | $531 | 92 | Very Low |
| Berkeley County | 123,283 | $231,600 | $1,294 | 90 | Relatively Low |
| Boone County | 21,705 | $87,300 | $579 | 97 | Relatively Low |
| Braxton County | 12,505 | $95,100 | $491 | 94 | Very Low |
| Brooke County | 22,349 | $115,000 | $669 | 86 | Relatively Low |
| Cabell County | 93,965 | $144,200 | $939 | 95 | Relatively Moderate |
| Calhoun County | 6,279 | $111,000 | $459 | 93 | Very Low |
| Clay County | 8,049 | $100,800 | $344 | 95 | Very Low |
| Doddridge County | 7,847 | $147,300 | $718 | 91 | Very Low |
| Fayette County | 40,545 | $103,200 | $676 | 97 | Relatively Low |
| Gilmer County | 7,444 | $89,800 | $461 | 93 | Very Low |
| Grant County | 11,034 | $150,000 | $491 | 92 | Very Low |
| Greenbrier County | 32,995 | $130,400 | $640 | 98 | Relatively Low |
| Hampshire County | 23,275 | $184,800 | $726 | 91 | Very Low |
| Hancock County | 28,907 | $111,700 | $752 | 85 | Very Low |
| Hardy County | 14,249 | $153,300 | $590 | 92 | Very Low |
| Harrison County | 65,862 | $146,900 | $795 | 91 | Relatively Low |
| Jackson County | 27,868 | $148,200 | $834 | 93 | Relatively Low |
| Jefferson County | 58,043 | $303,400 | $1,732 | 91 | Relatively Low |
| Kanawha County | 179,895 | $131,200 | $911 | 96 | Relatively High |
| Lewis County | 16,920 | $134,100 | $631 | 92 | Relatively Low |
| Lincoln County | 20,410 | $94,500 | $499 | 96 | Relatively Low |
| Logan County | 32,350 | $101,200 | $609 | 98 | Relatively Low |
| McDowell County | 18,911 | $47,500 | $268 | 100 | Relatively Low |
| Marion County | 56,194 | $147,600 | $930 | 90 | Relatively Low |
| Marshall County | 30,509 | $130,500 | $618 | 88 | Relatively Low |
| Mason County | 25,488 | $118,100 | $727 | 94 | Relatively Low |
| Mercer County | 59,530 | $115,100 | $578 | 100 | Relatively Low |
| Mineral County | 26,957 | $162,400 | $815 | 90 | Relatively Low |
| Mingo County | 23,466 | $89,700 | $382 | 98 | Relatively Low |
| Monongalia County | 105,988 | $242,100 | $1,183 | 89 | Relatively Low |
| Monroe County | 12,438 | $138,400 | $605 | 99 | Very Low |
| Morgan County | 17,237 | $212,500 | $1,079 | 90 | Very Low |
| Nicholas County | 24,624 | $110,600 | $564 | 96 | Relatively Low |
| Ohio County | 42,224 | $153,000 | $950 | 87 | Relatively Low |
| Pendleton County | 6,156 | $169,200 | $637 | 94 | Very Low |
| Pleasants County | 7,622 | $121,100 | $695 | 91 | Very Low |
| Pocahontas County | 7,940 | $129,500 | $383 | 96 | Very Low |
| Preston County | 34,206 | $147,400 | $700 | 90 | Very Low |
| Putnam County | 57,347 | $202,300 | $1,213 | 95 | Relatively Low |
| Raleigh County | 74,303 | $132,300 | $706 | 98 | Relatively Low |
| Randolph County | 28,005 | $128,700 | $513 | 94 | Relatively Low |
| Ritchie County | 8,507 | $105,200 | $662 | 92 | Very Low |
| Roane County | 14,027 | $117,700 | $520 | 94 | Relatively Low |
| Summers County | 11,985 | $123,400 | $388 | 99 | Very Low |
| Taylor County | 16,602 | $138,100 | $746 | 91 | Very Low |
| Tucker County | 6,747 | $141,100 | $515 | 92 | Very Low |
| Tyler County | 8,336 | $109,800 | $609 | 90 | Very Low |
| Upshur County | 23,875 | $153,600 | $701 | 93 | Relatively Low |
| Wayne County | 38,933 | $114,200 | $610 | 96 | Relatively Low |
| Webster County | 8,362 | $82,400 | $300 | 95 | Very Low |
| Wetzel County | 14,431 | $106,100 | $688 | 90 | Relatively Low |
| Wirt County | 5,202 | $109,200 | $604 | 92 | Very Low |
| Wood County | 84,272 | $140,700 | $927 | 91 | Relatively Low |
| Wyoming County | 21,237 | $74,100 | $351 | 99 | Relatively Low |
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