W. Va. Code § 15A-10 § 15A-10-10
Service of repair or demolition order.
Operative Text
The written order of the State Fire Marshal made pursuant to §15A-10-9 of this code shall be served by delivering a true copy thereof to such owner or, if the owner is absent from the state or his or her whereabouts be unknown to the State Fire Marshal, by mailing a true copy thereof by certified mail to the said owner’s last known post-office address, or if no such address be known, then by certified mail to said owner in care of general delivery at the post office serving the community in which said premises lie. Delivering or mailing such order shall be accomplished within five days of the date of issuance of such order. In the event it is necessary to mail a copy of such order as aforesaid, the officer mailing the same shall also, within five days of the date of issuance of such order, post a true copy thereof in a conspicuous place on the door or other prominent entrance to said premises.
West Virginia Code § 15A-10-10 governs how the State Fire Marshal must deliver a repair or demolition order to a property owner. The order must be personally delivered, or if the owner cannot be located in the state, sent by certified mail to the owner's last known address or, if that is unknown, to general delivery at the local post office. In either case, delivery or mailing must occur within five days of the order's issuance, and when mailing is used, a copy must also be posted conspicuously on the premises within that same five-day window.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 15A-10-10, a compliant property owner generally maintains current contact information accessible to state authorities, since the State Fire Marshal is required to serve repair or demolition orders promptly and will use the last known address on record if personal delivery is not possible. Operators who are frequently out of state or difficult to reach risk having orders served by certified mail to general delivery and posted on the property, which can accelerate enforcement timelines. Keeping accurate ownership and mailing records with relevant state agencies helps ensure that any order issued under § 15A-10-9 reaches the responsible party without delay.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 15A-10-10 establishes that tenants and neighbors may observe a posted copy of a State Fire Marshal repair or demolition order on the door or entrance of a property, which signals that a formal enforcement action has been initiated. If a tenant believes a landlord has not received or is ignoring such an order, they may contact the State Fire Marshal's office to inquire about the status of the proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with West Virginia housing law can help residents understand what a posted order means for their occupancy and what options may be available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation