Excavation permits and rules in West Virginia
What the state requires before and during excavation work, with the page each rule comes from. It's a summary of the published rules, not legal advice, and a county or city can add rules of its own.
Checked September 19, 2026
Calling 811 before you dig
Anyone digging in West Virginia has to notify West Virginia 811 before work starts. Call 811 at least 48 hours, not counting weekends and holidays, and no more than 10 work days before digging.1
Text of the law
The notice period under W. Va. Code 24C-1-1 to 24C-1-11: Not less than forty-eight hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and federal or state legal holidays, nor more than ten work days prior to the beginning of such work.1
Licensing
West Virginia licenses contractors through the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (WV Division of Labor). A license is needed for home jobs of $5,000 or more and commercial jobs of $25,000 or more. The Excavation Contractor classification covers digging, trenching, grading and compacting earthen material; the statutory definition of contractor names excavation.2-3
Text of the law
Cost of the undertaking is $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work.2-3
Stormwater and erosion control
A stormwater permit is needed at 1 acre, including smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development. Coverage is under the WV/NPDES Construction Stormwater General Permit WV0115924 (2024 general permit).4
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Sources
What excavation costs in West Virginia
Published national ranges for the common jobs, the regional adjustment for West Virginia, and a planning estimate you can run for your own county.
Contractors in West Virginia
West Virginia has 679 excavation contractors listed, and 593 of them hold an active USDOT registration. Browse them by county, or ask for quotes and we'll match you with excavation contractors near you.
Cite this page
“Excavation permits and rules in West Virginia.” LeaderExcavation.com, updated September 19, 2026. https://leaderexcavation.com/wv/rules/