West Virginia Code Chapter 8, Article 12 — Municipal Powers (preemption and unsafe-dwelling sections)
Art. 8-12, Municipal powers, 6 of 40 sections (§§ 8-12-9, -13, -16, -16a, -16c, -21): power to prohibit housing discrimination, building regulation and the state building code, ordinances on unsafe or unsanitary dwellings, registration of uninhabitable property and of vacant buildings, and the restriction on municipal licensing, certification or registration to practice a trade, occupation or profession (§ 8-12-21). Source: West Virginia Code, as published by the West Virginia Legislature (code.wvlegislature.gov). Section count verified live 2026-10-26.
Provisions (6)
§ 8-12-13
Building regulation; general and special codes; state building code.
§ 8-12-16
Ordinances regulating the repair, alteration, improvement, closing, demolition, etc., of structures, dwellings, or buildings that are unsafe, unsanitary, dangerous, or detrimental to the public safety or welfare; procedures.
§ 8-12-16a
Registration of uninhabitable property.
§ 8-12-16c
Registration of vacant buildings; registration fees; procedures for administration and enforcement.
§ 8-12-21
Restriction on the regulation of trades, occupations, and professions.
§ 8-12-9