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
West Virginia follows the riparian doctrine; landowners whose property borders a watercourse have the right to make reasonable use of that water. Groundwater use is generally unregulated for domestic purposes on the owner's land.
Statute: W. Va. Code § 22-26-1 et seq.; common-law riparian doctrine
Building Codes
Statewide IRC: Yes (statewide)
The West Virginia State Fire Commission adopted the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), effective August 1, 2022. Local jurisdictions must formally adopt the West Virginia State Building Code (WVSBC) to enforce it; adoption is not mandatory for all counties.
Statute: W. Va. Code § 29-3-5a; WV State Fire Commission administrative rules
Gun Laws
Open Carry: Yes
Constitutional Carry: Yes
Permitless open and concealed carry for non-prohibited persons since 2016. Optional concealed carry permit available. Strong state preemption prohibits local gun ordinances. Stand your ground and castle doctrine enacted under § 55-7-22. All NFA items legal under federal compliance. No red flag law; no magazine limits; no AWB.
Statute: W. Va. Code § 61-7-7 (permitless carry); § 55-7-22 (castle doctrine/SYG); § 8-12-5a (preemption)
Right to Farm
Protected: Yes
Protects agricultural operations in existence more than one year from nuisance claims. No minimum acreage requirement since 2019 amendments. Annual gross income must exceed $1,000.
Statute: W. Va. Code §§ 19-19-1 to 19-19-8
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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