Septic permit rules and requirements in West Virginia
In West Virginia, the state sets the rule. The septic permit comes from your local health department. For some systems the state issues it itself. W. Va. Code § 16-1-9 · checked 2026-09-12
On-Site Sewage Program
Writes the rules
checked 2026-09-23
Your local health department
Issues the permit
checked 2026-09-12
Who decides a septic permit in West Virginia
Your local health department issues an ordinary residential permit. For some systems the state issues it itself. The state sets the floor through the On-Site Sewage Program, Public Health Sanitation Division, West Virginia Office of Environmental Health Services (OEHS).
State law requires a permit before anyone builds a septic system. The commissioner issues it, or lets a local health officer issue it.
W. Va. Code § 16-1-9 · checked 2026-09-12
The office's phone number is 304-558-2981.
The page lists this number for septic questions. A caller can also ask about permits here.
West Virginia Office of Environmental Health Services — On-Site Wastewater Management · checked 2026-09-23
The office publishes its own page on this: West Virginia Office of Environmental Health Services — On-Site Wastewater Management.
The office's own page names this same address as its link for on-site sewage rules.
West Virginia Office of Environmental Health Services — On-Site Wastewater Management · checked 2026-09-23
West Virginia counties on this site
We have not published a West Virginia county page yet. A county earns a page when we hold facts unique to it. Until then this page is the answer for every county in the state.
Telling us your county is how we decide which one to build next.
Sources
State records only. Each figure above has a government source and a checked-on date. County figures live on the county pages.
Verify before you act. Septic rules are set locally and they change. Check anything here with your local health department before you spend money on it.