Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Weirton, WV?

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Weirton, WV under the city's rental registration and business licensing framework. While the city documents do not specifically use the term "short-term rentals," they establish comprehensive regulations for all rental property businesses, including those offering transient accommodations. The city treats rental property as a business activity requiring proper registration, licensing, and compliance with all applicable codes.

Under West Virginia law and local ordinances, rental properties offering accommodations for less than 30 days to the same visitor fall under the definition of "Bed and Breakfast Inn" when operating in an owner-occupied single-family dwelling with up to five rooms, or potentially as commercial lodging facilities in other contexts. All such operations must comply with the City's Rental Registration Program and Business License requirements.

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in Weirton

Step 1: State Business Registration

• Register your rental business with the West Virginia State Tax Department to obtain a Business Registration Certificate
• Wheeling Division - West Virginia State Tax Department
• Phone: 1-304-238-1152
• This certificate is mandatory before applying for city business licensing

Step 2: City Business License Application

• Submit a business license application to Mikeal Maguschak
• Provide a listing of all rental properties and units
• Business license fee: $15.00
• Submit through the City's Business License Program

Step 3: Rental Property Registration

• Complete the rental property registration process
• Visit the Rental Registration office at the municipal building
• Properties must be registered regardless of the number of units

Step 4: Schedule and Pay for Inspections

• Contact Program Manager Mikeal Maguschak to schedule inspections
• Pay inspection fees: $20.00 per unit, per inspection
• Annual cap: Fees cannot exceed $500 per calendar year per business
• Inspector will meet you or your property manager on-site

Step 5: Obtain Certificate of Occupancy

• If inspection passes: Certificate issued within 10 days
• If inspection fails: Receive violation notice via certified mail with correction requirements
• Schedule follow-up inspection after corrections

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Business Licensing Documents

1. West Virginia Business Registration Certificate (from State Tax Department)
2. City of Weirton Business License Application
3. Listing of all rental properties and units
4. Business license fee ($15.00)

Property Registration Documents

1. Rental Registration Application
2. Property listing and details
3. Proof of ownership or legal authority to rent

Inspection and Compliance Documents

1. Compliance inspection fees ($20.00 per unit, per inspection)
2. Inspection scheduling confirmation
3. Certificate of Occupancy (issued upon successful inspection)

Safety and Code Compliance

1. Compliance with State Building Code
2. Compliance with 2018 ICC Property Maintenance Codes
3. Compliance with City zoning requirements
4. Health and safety standards for residential rental housing

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Weirton Regulations

Zoning Compliance:

• STRs must comply with all zoning district requirements
• Properties must be in zones that allow residential rental uses
• "Bed and Breakfast Inn" is specifically defined as: "A private residence that offers, for a fee, transient sleeping accommodations to visitors in up to five (5) rooms of an owner-occupied single-family dwelling; and provides, at no extra charge, breakfast to the guests. For purposes of this definition, transient shall mean that a room is rented for not more than 30 days to any one visitor in any given calendar year."

Operational Requirements:

• All rental properties must maintain safe, sanitary, and suitable conditions
• Properties must comply with State Building Code and 2018 ICC Property Maintenance Codes
• Regular inspections are mandatory for all rental units
• Properties must preserve the integrity and character of residential districts

Business Activity Classification:

• Renting residential property is classified as a business activity
• Single-unit rentals still require full business registration and licensing
• Annual city business license required for all rental operations

County-Level Regulations

Note: No specific county-level STR regulations were identified in the provided content. All regulations appear to be handled at the municipal level within Weirton's corporate boundaries.

State-Level Regulations (West Virginia)

• Business Registration: Required with West Virginia State Tax Department
• Building Codes: Must comply with State Building Code requirements
• Property Maintenance: Subject to 2018 ICC Property Maintenance Codes
• Bed and Breakfast Operations: Specifically defined in city ordinance with 30-day maximum stay per visitor

Fees and Costs Schedule

| Fee Type | Cost | Notes | |----------|------|-------| | Business License | $15.00 | Annual fee | | Compliance Inspection | $20.00 per unit, per inspection | Annual cap: $500 per calendar year | | Missed Inspection/No Show Fine | $10.00 | Charged for missed appointments | | Re-Inspection Fee | $30.00 per unit, per inspection | Charged after failing scheduled inspection twice | | Court Appearance Fee (24+ hours notice) | $15.00 per hour | Legal proceedings | | Court Appearance Fee (<24 hours notice) | $30.00 per hour | Legal proceedings | | Real Estate Pre-Inspection | $50.00 per man, per hour | 1-hour minimum charge | | Certificate of Use and Occupancy (1st copy) | Free | Issued upon successful inspection | | Certificate Copy | $10.00 | Additional copies | | Rental Board of Appeals Hearing | $50.00 | Application fee |

Inspection and Compliance Process

Initial Inspection Process:

1. Licensed rental business contacts Program Manager Mikeal Maguschak
2. Payment of $20.00 per unit inspection fee collected
3. Inspection scheduled at mutually convenient time
4. Rental Inspector meets business owner/manager on-site
5. Inspector conducts comprehensive inspection and photographs findings
6. Report prepared and reviewed with Code Official if needed

Post-Inspection Actions:

• If Compliant: Certificate of Occupancy issued within 10 days
• If Non-Compliant: Violation results sent via certified mail with correction instructions
• Follow-up: Re-inspection required after corrections are made

Appeals Process:

• Right to appeal to ICC Board of Appeals ($50.00 application fee)
• Zoning violations appeal to Board of Zoning Appeals
• Appeals must be based on incorrect code or ordinance interpretation

Contact Information

Primary STR Contact

Mikeal Maguschak
Program Manager, Rental Registration Program
Phone: 1-304-797-8500 Ext. 1010
Email: mmaguschak@cityofweirton.com

City of Weirton Main Contact

City of Weirton
200 Municipal Plaza
Weirton, WV 26062
Phone: 304-797-8500
Website: www.cityofweirton.com/

West Virginia State Tax Department

Wheeling Division
Phone: 1-304-238-1152

Related Departments

• Building Inspections & Code Enforcement: cityofweirton.com/377/Building-Inspections-Code-Enforcement
• Business License Program: www.cityofweirton.com/378/Business-License-Program
• Building Permits: cityofweirton.com/380/Building-Permits

Source Links

1. Rental Registration Program: www.cityofweirton.com/529/Rental-Registration-Program
2. Business License Program: www.cityofweirton.com/378/Business-License-Program
3. Building Inspections & Code Enforcement: cityofweirton.com/377/Building-Inspections-Code-Enforcement
4. Ordinance 2084, July 8 2019: www.cityofweirton.com/DocumentCenter/View/1652/Ordinance-2084-July-8-2019
5. Ordinance 2182, February 14 2022: www.cityofweirton.com/DocumentCenter/View/1653/Ordinance-No-2182---February-14-2022
6. Unified Development Ordinance: cityofweirton.com/DocumentCenter/View/173
7. Rental Registration Application: cityofweirton.com/DocumentCenter/View/1599/Rental-Registration-Application-PDF
8. Rental Checklist: www.cityofweirton.com/DocumentCenter/View/1887/20221118-Rental-Checklist

Important Notes for STR Investors:

• Properties must maintain residential character and comply with all zoning requirements
• Regular inspections ensure ongoing compliance with safety standards
• Business licensing and registration are ongoing annual requirements
• Properties must be suitable for transient accommodations while maintaining neighborhood integrity
• All state and local tax obligations must be fulfilled for rental income