Frequently Asked Questions

Step 1: Does Your Project Require A Building Permit?

Most construction projects in the City of Morgantown require a permit; however, there are exceptions. Below is a list of common projects that require a permit. If you’re still unsure if you need a permit call the Code Enforcement office at 304-284-7401 or stop by in person.

Projects That Usually Require Permits:

• New Buildings
• Additions
• Residential Work (decks, garages, fences, fireplaces, pools, water heaters, etc.)
• Renovations (garage conversions, basement furnishings, kitchen expansions, re-roofing, etc.)
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing systems
• Installing electrical outlets
• Replacing windows
• HVAC (heating, ventilating, air-conditioning) systems
• Remodeling kitchens or bathrooms
• Installing a pool, spa, or hot tub

Step 2: Find Your Application

Below is a list of projects with helpful information about their requirements. Simply select the project that is the most similar to yours and fill out the application included in the information packet. Please note that forms MUST be printed in COLOR to be accepted by the Code Enforcement office.

• Deck, Porch, Ramp (PDF)
• Grading (PDF)
• Interior (PDF)
• New Construction (PDF)
• Pools (PDF)
• Retaining Walls (PDF)
• Roof (PDF)
• Shed (PDF)
• Signs (PDF)
• Wireless Facility (PDF)
• Fence (PDF)
• Plumbing and Electrical (PDF)
• Asbestos (PDF)
• Demolition (PDF)

Step 3: Draw Your Site Plan

Now that you have obtained your application and specific site plan requirements, you are ready to begin drawing your site plans.

Depending on the site plan, you may need to draw out what you plan on doing in your construction project. Make sure to include as much detail as possible. This includes dimensions of the project, location of the property, windows, plumbing and electric depending on the project.

If you have a complicated project and you don’t feel comfortable creating your own plans, there are many designers in Morgantown who can draw your plans for you.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

After you’ve completed your application and your site plans, you’re ready to turn your documents in to the Code Enforcement office. The Code Enforcement office is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Stop by in person, or send a copy of your permit via email to permits@morgantownwv.gov.

Once your application is received it will be logged into the permit system, and will be reviewed by Code Enforcement officials, along with any other applicable departments to determine if your project meets local requirements.

If your plans meet these requirements, you will be issued a permit. If not, a code enforcement officer may suggest solutions to help you correct the issue.

If you would like to register to vote please visit the

You can have your residence added to the vacation home watch by calling 304-284-7522, select option 0 or by filling out an online request.

If you plan on leaving town for any length of time: 

•Make arrangements to have someone pick up your mail, newspapers and packages. 

•Make arrangements to have garbage cans returned to the house and do not allow them to remain unattended in front of your residence. 

•Have automatic timers, turn lights on and off inside your residence, or have someone turn them on and off daily.

If it is a non-emergency situation, please contact ABC Humane Animal Removal at 304-291-0957, JB's Wild Game Rescue Services at 304-278-5336 or an animal removal service of your choice. All charges incurred for removal are the responsibility of the caller.

In an emergency, please dial 911 and the operator will dispatch the Morgantown Police Department. All domestic animal calls will be directed to the dog warden/canine center.

Brownfields are parcels of land with any history of previous use that hinders their current or future development. Any real – or, importantly, any perceived – contamination from previous uses might affect how we can responsibly use lands. The operation of an oil tank farm, despite the visible steps taken to limit the effects of any spill, has undoubtedly long affected the perception of White Park.

In the late 1980’s, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) formally recognized White Park as a brownfield after receiving citizen complaints at a few previous tank sites within White Park. Since then, in their assessment and associated cleanups of periodic complaints at specific tank sites, the WVDEP and the USEPA have worked directly with oil companies responsible for the previous use. This process has been piecemeal and reactionary in nature, limited to areas that were identified by complaints and with nearly no involvement of the City or BOPARC.

The WVDEP created the VRP in 1996 to encourage redevelopment of existing sites rather than development of pristine land. Going through the VRP will enable the city to do a complete assessment of White Park, clean up any identified contamination or areas of concern, and develop plans that will guide all future activity on the site. Completion of the program will ensure any clean up of White Park follows the latest state and federal health and environmental regulations, with activities led by Licensed Remediation Specialists overseen by the WVDEP. 

You can learn more about the program on the WVDEP’s website.

While Pennzoil/Quaker State, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, remains the chief responsible party due to its acquisition of the Eureka Pipeline Company and its liabilities, the City of Morgantown recognizes its role as the landowner. With updated regulations, new frameworks to conduct assessments and cleanups, increases in funding on the horizon, and a mandate from citizen requests to invest in White Park, we want to ensure this historical issue is dealt with in a comprehensive, cooperative, and timely manner. Entering the VRP now, as the primary applicant, will allow us to direct what happens to this immensely important recreational asset. Keeping decision-making power local will ensure that White Park’s future is based on our communal vision.

Discussions between Shell and the City of Morgantown are ongoing. Shell will be held accountable for any cleanup required at White Park that is associated with their inherited liabilities.

The cost is still being determined, but the initial assessment is expected to be funded through a combination of grants and $50,000 of City funds that have already been allocated to the project.

The drinking water reservoir in White Park was constructed in 1958 and has provided a portion of our source water ever since. Municipal drinking water is heavily processed and is monitored extensively for its potential to impact human health. The Morgantown Utility Board has decades of testing showing that the quality of the water sourced from the reservoir is some of the cleanest in the state. Testing of the reservoir has not indicated any contamination from the oil tanks. Unless future testing indicates potential contamination there are no immediate plans by the City to include the reservoir in the VRP process.

Over the past few decades, federal and state regulatory agencies have tested portions of the site for various contaminants of concern. Although these investigations did require certain, limited cleanup activities, nothing has been found that has prompted immediate enforcement action and modification of current uses.

It is important to note that previous assessments were judged against risk levels set for residential use. Since the most recent cleanup in 2010, new regulations have set recreational risk levels that account for the differences between these land uses and their associated risks. In short, there is nothing that has led us or any regulators to believe that excessive hazards currently exist.

The City has entered the WV DEP’s VRP program as of October of 2022. The VRP process will run concurrently with the 2023 awarded EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant for the Southside portion of White Park. This five year period will run from 07/01/2023-09/30/2027  and include site cleanup, remediation and trail development. 

The City is being proactive with property that is within the jurisdiction of the City.

The City of Morgantown will coordinate with WVDEP to hold workshops that will assist property owners in determining what steps they can take to determine potential contamination on their property. Once those workshops are scheduled they will be posted on this website and shared to those interested. You can sign-up to receive notifications for events and more from the city on our notify me page here.

The Municipal ID is an official photo identification card issued by the City of Morgantown. It confirms a resident’s identity and address and can be used to access local services, programs, and community benefits.

Some residents have difficulty obtaining a state-issued ID due to cost, document requirements, or personal circumstances. The Municipal ID makes it easier for people to participate in daily life, access services, and engage in the community.

Anyone age 14 or older who lives within Morgantown city limits is eligible to apply. Applicants must provide documents that verify identity and residency using a point-based system.

The standard fee is $15 for adults.
Discounted fees are available for youth (14–17), seniors, and veterans. If you cannot afford the fee, you may complete an Affidavit of Indigency requesting a waiver.

Applicants must present 4 points of identity and 2 points of residency.
There are many accepted documents, including photo IDs, school records, utility bills, leases, pay stubs, and mail from a government agency. A full list is available on the application.

We understand not everyone has a driver’s license, passport, or utility bills. The program includes several document options and community verification pathways, including letters from shelters or service providers.

The card is valid for two years from the date it is issued.

The card can be used to verify identity and address within Morgantown. Partners may accept the card for services and may offer discounts or benefits at their discretion.

No.
The Municipal ID does not replace a West Virginia state ID or driver’s license. It is meant for local identification and access to community services.

No.
The Municipal ID is not valid for driving, air travel, or entry into federal facilities. It is a local ID issued by the City to support access to local programs and services.

No.
The City does not keep copies of your personal documents and does not release information without a court order. Your application is confidential and used only to determine eligibility and issue the ID.

If your card is lost or stolen, contact the City to request a replacement. A small replacement fee may apply.

Applications are available online and at the City office.
Once you complete the form, you can schedule an appointment to review your documents and take your photo.

Yes.
You can renew your ID before it expires by scheduling an appointment and completing the renewal form. Updated documents may be required.

Student IDs and library cards are issued by specific institutions and are mainly used for services on campus or within the library system. The Municipal ID is issued by the City and serves as an official photo ID that verifies your identity and address for a wider range of community services, including—but not limited to—library use and local programs.

At this time, the program is limited to residents who live inside the Morgantown city limits. If you live in Monongalia County outside city limits, you are not eligible to apply.

Yes.
Local organizations and businesses may voluntarily accept the Municipal ID for services or offer discounts or benefits to cardholders. Participation is welcome at any time. Please contact the program coordinator at sdavis@morgantownwv.gov if you would like to be involved.

Morgantown Mosaic supports small neighborhood-led projects that strengthen identity, pride, engagement, and public spaces. 

Examples include:

• Neighborhood beautification (plantings, landscaping, cleanup efforts)

• Public art or installations (murals, signage, community-created pieces)

• Small improvements to public spaces (benches, planters, trail markers, wayfinding)

• Community-building events (block gatherings, celebrations, cultural activities)

• Projects supporting accessibility or inclusion

• Initiatives that increase connection, visibility, or use of neighborhood assets

Projects must take place within the City of Morgantown limits and benefit the public.

You may apply if you are:

• A resident of a recognized Neighborhood Association, or

• A resident of a Morgantown neighborhood with a letter of support from the appropriate Neighborhood Association

Recognized Neighborhood Associations include (list shortened for web):
Evansdale, First Ward, Greenmont, Jerome Park, Norwood, South Hills, Suncrest, Wiles Hill/Highland Park, Woodburn, and others designated by the City.

Applicants must:

• Be located within Morgantown city limits

• Propose a project with clear public benefit

• Demonstrate a plan for maintenance/sustainability

• Submit a budget and any required documentation

• Applicants may request up to $500 per project for materials, supplies, small physical improvements, or neighborhood event needs.
• Large-scale projects may request up to $2,000, subject to additional review and reporting requirements.

• In-kind contributions (volunteer hours, donated materials) are encouraged

• Funding is limited and depends on annual budget availability

• City Manager makes final awards based on ranked recommendations and available funds

Applications are evaluated using five criteria:

• Project Proposal – clarity, goals, feasibility, and timeline

• Community Engagement – resident participation, partnerships, volunteer involvement

• Budget Readiness – reasonable, complete budget; matching resources identified

• Impact – expected outcomes and how success will be measured

• Sustainability – maintenance plan and long-term stewardship

Funding decisions are based on:

• Application score

• Neighborhood representation and equity

• Total requests compared to available funding

To be eligible for a Morgantown Mosaic grant, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Project Location: The proposed project must be located within the City of Morgantown limits.

• Neighborhood Connection: Applicants must reside in or partner with a recognized Neighborhood Association, or provide a letter of support from the association representing the project area.

• Public Benefit: The project must deliver a clear public benefit, be open or accessible to neighborhood residents, and support community engagement or improvement.

• Project Scope: Proposals must fit within the small-project funding model (up to $500) and be feasible within the six-month project period.

• Budget & Documentation: Applicants must submit a complete application, including a project description, timeline, and budget outlining all expenses and in-kind contributions.

• Maintenance Commitment: Applicants must identify who will maintain or steward the project after completion.

• Compliance: Projects must comply with all City policies, guidelines, and public space requirements, including permissions for installations or use of public property.

The program does not fund:

• Projects primarily on private property without demonstrated public benefit

• Faith-based or political events that are not open to all residents

• Operational or recurring expenses (utilities, ongoing staffing, subscription costs)

• Large-scale construction, capital improvements, or infrastructure beyond the project scope

• Food, entertainment, or giveaways unless essential to the project’s goals

• Projects that are already fully completed

• Items or expenses unrelated to community engagement or neighborhood improvement