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Rental Registration Program
Notice: The program is under development. Please check back soon to see resources and information.
Rental Registration Program Facebook (Link)
About the Rental Registration Program
The Rental Registration Program is a division of the Department of Code Enforcement and Building Inspections.
Program Purpose
The purpose of the program is to promote health and safety standards for residential rental housing and to secure and preserve the integrity and character of residential districts within the city. These standards relate to the condition, maintenance and occupancy of rental dwelling units and are intended to ensure that rental housing is safe, sanitary and suitable in accordance with applicable provisions of the State Building Code, 2018 ICC Property Maintenance Codes and other regulations adopted by the City of Weirton.
Program Ordinances
Ordinance 2084, July 8 2019 (PDF)
Ordinance 2182, February 14 2022 (PDF)
How to Register Rental Properties
Landlords may register their residential rental properties and units by completing by coming to the Rental Registration office at the municipal building.
Registration Process
Step 1: The rental business registers with the West Virginia State Tax Department to obtain their West Virginia Business Registration Certificate. This document is required to obtain a city business license.
Wheeling Division - West Virginia State Tax Department
Phone: 1-304-238-1152
Step 2: Submit a business license application to Mikeal Maguschak with a copy of your West Virginia Business Registration certificate with a check for $15.00 made payable to the City of Weirton. The rental business will be required to submit a listing of their rental properties and units.
Step 3: Once licensed, the rental business may schedule and pay for their rental inspections with Mikeal Maguschak.
Inspection Process
Step 1: A licensed rental business contacts Program Manager, Mikeal Maguschak.
Step 2: A payment of $20.00 per unit, per inspection is collected (not to exceed $500 per calendar year). The Program Manager will work with the business to schedule a time and date of the inspection.
Step 3: On the day and time of the inspection, the Rental Inspector will meet the business owner or their property manager on site at the unit to be inspected. The inspector will conduct the inspection and take pictures for their inspection report. Upon completion, the inspector will return to the municipal building and prepare their report and consult with the Code Official if needed.
Step 4:
If the unit has passed inspection, the Program Manager will create and mail out a Certificate of Occupancy to the business allowing a three year occupancy for the unit.
If the unit has failed inspection, the Rental Inspector will submit the violation results to the business, via certified mail, instructing what needs to be corrected in order to bring the unit into compliance. Once corrected, the Rental Inspector can perform a follow-up to deem if the corrections have been fixed so an occupancy certificate can be issued.
Inspection Preparation
Rental Business Requirements
Leasing residential and commerical rental property is a business activity requiring an annual City of Weirton business license. Landlords are required to have a West Virginia Business Registration Certificate with the state tax department upon filing for their business license. The fee for a rental business license is $15.00.
West Virginia: Guide to Register Your Business with the State (PDF)
2023 City of Weirton Business License Application (PDF)
Schedule of Fees
| Fee Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Compliance Inspection Fee | $20.00 per inspection, per unit. Not to exceed $500 per calendar year. |
| Missed Inspection/No Show Fine | $10.00 |
| Re-Inspection Fee | $30.00 per inspection, per unit Charged after failing scheduled inspection twice. |
| Court Appearance Fee With 24 hours advanced notice | $15.00 per hour |
| Court Appearance Fee Within 24 hours of a hearing | $30.00 per hour |
| Real Estate Pre-Inspection Fee | $50.00 per man, per hour 1 Hour minimum charge |
| Certificate of Use and Occupancy | Free 1st Copy |
| Certificate of Use and Occupancy Copy | $10.00 service charge |
| Rental Board of Appeals Hearing | $50.00 application fee |
ICC Board of Appeals
Any property owner or agent shall have the right to appeal to the ICC Board of Appeals from a decision of the Code Official where it is alleged that the codes or ordinances have been incorrectly interpreted.
Where a violation is citied in the City Planning and Zoning Code is cited in a notice of violation, the appeal shall be made to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
There is a $50.00 application fee for ICC Board of Appeals meetings.
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| Member Name | Member Title | Term Expires |
Update: Membership information coming soon. Please check back for updates.
- If appliances are not provided by the landlord, Are they eligible to fail an inspection?
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If the appliances within a unit belong to the tenant and not the landlord, the appliances will not be considered part of the inspection unless the appliance is a clear safety hazard.
- Do I have to register if I only have one rental unit?
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Yes, The activity of renting out residential rental property regardless of the amount of units rented is a business activity in the City of Weirton. Landlords are required to be registered with the State of West Virginia and the City of Weirton as a business before rental inspection can take place.
- What if my tenant will not allow access to the unit for inspection?
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Ordinance No. 2182 provides a full breakdown of the process to be implemented should a tenant not provide access.