Charleston ADU permit requirements
Last reviewed: June 22, 2026
Quick answer
Permitting an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Charleston, West Virginia means pulling a building permit from the local authority that issues it. ArchPermit tracks 14 source-cited requirements (11 required, the rest conditional) for this jurisdiction. Submittals go through One-Stop-Shop (in-person at 915 Quarrier St; online payment only). These requirements were last reviewed June 22, 2026; confirm the exact forms and fees with the local permitting authority.
A source-cited checklist of what an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) permit package needs in City of Charleston. Every item links to its authoritative source; items that vary are flagged to confirm locally.
(Charleston, West Virginia, not Charleston, SC.) ADUs are by-right (marked 'P') in all six residential districts (R-2, R-4, R-6, R-8, R-10, R-O) under Zoning Ordinance § 3-060 #54 (and in the Neighborhood Reinvestment Overlay through May 1 2030). Owner-occupancy is mandatory: either the ADU or the primary single-family unit must be owner-occupied, or the zoning approval becomes null. Before the Zoning Permit issues, a recorded instrument must be filed with the Kanawha County Clerk (owner-occupancy, no separate sale, no over-enlargement). Two-step approval: the Planning Department issues a Zoning Permit, then the Building Department issues the building permit. Detached ADUs follow accessory-structure rules (≤2 stories / 25 ft; 3-ft setbacks; 1 on-site space per bedroom, waived in the NRO). One ADU per single-family dwelling. Applications are filed in person; only payment is online.
- ADU Off-Street Parking (1 space/bedroom)required
One on-site parking space per ADU bedroom (§ 3-060 #54.d), shown on the site plan; waived in the NRO district.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Floodway / Flood Plain Determinationrequired
Required; if within the 100-year flood plain, an Elevation Certificate must be submitted.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Kanawha County Tax Map & Parcel Numberrequired
Parcel identification from the tax ticket.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - List of All Contractors & Sub-Contractorsrequired
Full list of contractors/sub-contractors on the project.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Owner-Occupancy Demonstrationrequired
Either the ADU or the primary unit must be owner-occupied; an ADU is only allowed accessory to an owner-occupied single-family dwelling (§ 3-060 #54).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Recorded ADU Instrument (Kanawha County Clerk)required
Before the Zoning Permit issues, record an instrument binding future owners to code compliance, owner-occupancy, no separate sale, and no over-enlargement.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Residential Building Permit Application (RBP-1)required
Completed RBP-1 with owner/contractor info, project location, Kanawha County Tax Map & Parcel No., construction type, scope, and total estimated cost.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Stormwater / Drainage Planrequired
Plan for stormwater discharge/diversion; a Land Disturbance Approval is triggered if disturbance >5,000 sf or impervious area increases ≥1,000 sf.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Two (2) Sets of Construction Plansrequired
Two copies with full construction details for the ADU.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Two (2) Site Plansrequired
Location of the proposed structure, distances from all lot lines, existing structures, proposed parking, and the proposed sanitary sewer tap.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Zoning Permit (Planning Department)required
Planning issues the Zoning Permit (use, setbacks, parking, flood, density) with copies to the Building Permit Coordinator before the building permit.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Erosion & Sediment Control Planconditional
Required where land disturbance triggers the stormwater ordinance (>5,000 sf disturbed / ≥1,000 sf new impervious).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Owner-Contractor Contract Copyconditional
Attach a copy of the contract for any project valued at $10,000 or more.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - WV Contractor's License + Charleston Registrationconditional
If using a contractor: the WV Contractor's License No. and the City of Charleston Registration No.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22
Charleston ADU permit questions
- Do I need a permit to build an ADU in Charleston?
- Yes. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Charleston requires a building permit. ArchPermit tracks 14 cited requirements for this jurisdiction (11 required, the rest conditional). Always confirm the exact forms, fees, and code edition with the local permitting authority that issues the permit.
- What does an ADU permit package require in Charleston?
- Core required items include: ADU Off-Street Parking (1 space/bedroom); Floodway / Flood Plain Determination; Kanawha County Tax Map & Parcel Number; List of All Contractors & Sub-Contractors; Owner-Occupancy Demonstration; Recorded ADU Instrument (Kanawha County Clerk), plus 5 more. Each requirement links to its authoritative source, and nothing is permit-ready until an independent licensed professional reviews and seals it.
- How are ADU permits submitted in Charleston?
- Charleston accepts permit submittals via One-Stop-Shop (in-person at 915 Quarrier St; online payment only). ArchPermit prepares a draft package you can submit there after a licensed architect reviews and seals it.