West Virginia law
Municipal Laws in West Virginia.
West Virginia is a Home Rule state for qualifying municipalities under W. Va. Code § 8-1-5a (the Municipal Home Rule Pilot Program, made permanent in 2019). Non-Home-Rule municipalities operate under a more traditional Dillon-Rule framework. West Virginia's local governments are organized as counties (governed by county commissions under W. Va. Code § 7-1) and municipalities (Class I–IV cities under W. Va. Code § 8-1). West Virginia's Freedom of Information Act (W. Va. Code § 29B-1) and Open Governmental Proceedings Act (W. Va. Code § 6-9A) provide the principal open-government framework.
Last verified: 2026-04-20
State law
Key West Virginia Statutes
West Virginia's Municipal Home Rule program — authorizes qualifying municipalities to enact ordinances outside strict Dillon-Rule constraints. Made permanent in 2019.
West Virginia's principal county-government framework.
West Virginia's public-records law.
West Virginia's open-meetings law.
State law
Official Sources
Not Legal Advice
This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in West Virginia.
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