APA West Virginia Chapter

West Virginia - Almost Heaven Welcome to APA West Virginia

WV APA is the West Virginia state chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) Our organization is comprised of professional and citizen planners who work to support responsible planning throughout the state. Membership is open to professional planners employed in planning or a related field, lay planners who serve on planning commissions or boards of zoning appeals, student members who are enrolled in a course of study in planning or a related field, and citizens interested in planning for their communities.

Link to APA National

WV APA wants you! New Members Packet

Membership is open to professional planners employed in planning or a related field, lay planners who serve on planning commissions or boards of zoning appeals, student members who are enrolled in a course of study in planning or a related field, and citizens interested in planning for their communities.

New Member Packet found here

Happening Now New Legislation Now Active

Prohibiting certain restrictions on regulation of accessory dwelling units

Bill - SB 659

Code - 8-40-1 to 3 Not yet online Current 8-40-1- to 5 is for Home Based Businesses

Effective Date - 6/4/26

Important Info -

8-40-2(a) Except as provided in this article, a municipality shall not adopt a policy, regulation, or ordinance that restricts, prohibits, or otherwise regulates the use of at least one accessory dwelling unit by right on a lot or parcel that contains a single-family dwelling

8-40-2(b) and (c) An accessory dwelling unit may be attached, detached, or internal to the single-family dwelling on a lot or parcel. AND If the accessory dwelling unit is detached from or attached to the single-family dwelling, it shall not be more than 75 percent of the gross floor area of the single-family dwelling or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less.

8-40-2(d)(3) Can’t require a familial, marital, or employment relationship between the occupants of the single-family dwelling and the occupants of the accessory dwelling unit

8-40-2(d)(4) Has a development impact fee max of $250 on the construction of an ADU

PLEASE NOTE: There are more items of concern than just these.

This seems to only affect municipalities (found in Chapter 8. Municipal Corporations)!

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Creating the Vape Safety Act

Bill - HB 5437

Code - 16-9H-1 to 18 Not Yet Online

Effective Date - 6/11/26

Important Info -

16-9H-10(c) The vape or smoke retailer shall be located at least 300 feet from a church, school, or daycare center. This distance is to be calculated by measuring a straight line from the entrance to the property line of the nearest place in question.

16-9H-7(2) No commission, board, agency, officer, or employee of the county shall issue, grant, or approve any permit, license, certificate, or any other authorization for any construction, reconstruction, alteration, enlargement, or relocation of any vape or smoke shop building structure, or for any use of land or building, that does not comply with the provisions of this article.

This seems to only affect Counties (municipality not found)!

WV State Code

Huntington, WV Sept 8-10 2026 WV Brownfields and Main Street Conference

Agenda TBD, This will also include the Fall WV APA meeting.

Specific topics often include planning and reuse of historic buildings, tourism and recreation, renewable energy, environmental justice, financing and fundraising, and other trending topics in redevelopment.

2026 Brownfield Registration and full Agenda