PRIA Logo™
West VirginiaHB 31332025 Regular SessionHouse

Permitting counties and municipalities to enter into memoranda of understanding for demolition of dilapidated structures

Sponsored By: Andy Shamblin (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§7-1-3FF§8-12-16

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Property owners face cleanup costs and liens

Since April 10, 2025, West Virginia municipalities can sue owners or responsible parties over unsafe, unsanitary, or dangerous structures. They can also sue over structures that harm public safety or welfare, seeking court approval for repairs or demolition. They must notify landowners by certified mail, return receipt requested, at least 10 days before filing. Municipalities can recover reasonable property-related costs, attorney fees, and court costs. They can also place a lien—a claim against the property—for all municipal repair, improvement, closure, removal, or demolition costs, with no fixed dollar amount.

Court-managed repairs limit owners’ property control

After a municipality adopts an ordinance, its court can put a structure under a receiver’s control for repairs. The receiver can be the municipality or another capable group. The owner must be unlocatable after reasonable inquiry or refuse entry, and officials must obtain an administrative search warrant. After entry, officials must find the structure salvageable, not needing immediate demolition, but facing demolition or serious nearby threats without repairs soon. Owners can petition to end receivership by showing they will demolish the structure or make repairs the code enforcement agency accepts.

Counties can help towns demolish unsafe buildings

Municipalities can request county help removing or demolishing dilapidated structures within their boundaries through a written agreement. The county and municipality can use the county or municipal procedures. This cooperation option creates no direct household payment or duty.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Andy Shamblin

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • James Robert "JB" Akers II

    Republican • House

  • Jarred Cannon

    Republican • House

  • Dana Ferrell

    Republican • House

  • Walter Hall

    Republican • House

  • Tresa Howell

    Republican • House

  • Dean Jeffries

    Republican • House

  • Mickey Petitto

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 255 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Effective from passage (Roll No. 439)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Passed Senate (Roll No. 438)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2025

Effective from passage (Roll No. 278)

Yes: 93 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2025

Passed House (Roll No. 277)

Yes: 94 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 187, Acts, Regular Session, 2025

    7/31/2025House

  2. Approved by Governor 4/28/2025

    4/28/2025House

  3. To Governor 4/22/2025

    4/22/2025House

  4. To Governor 4/22/2025 - House Journal

    4/12/2025House

  5. To Governor 4/22/2025 - Senate Journal

    4/12/2025Senate

  6. Approved by Governor 4/28/2025 - House Journal

    4/12/2025House

  7. Approved by Governor 4/28/2025 - Senate Journal

    4/12/2025Senate

  8. On 3rd reading

    4/10/2025Senate

  9. Read 3rd time

    4/10/2025Senate

  10. Passed Senate (Roll No. 438)

    4/10/2025Senate

  11. Effective from passage (Roll No. 439)

    4/10/2025Senate

  12. Communicated to House

    4/10/2025Senate

  13. Completed legislative action

    4/10/2025Senate

  14. On 2nd reading

    4/9/2025Senate

  15. Read 2nd time

    4/9/2025Senate

  16. Reported do pass

    4/8/2025Senate

  17. Immediate consideration

    4/8/2025Senate

  18. Read 1st time

    4/8/2025Senate

  19. Introduced in Senate

    4/1/2025Senate

  20. To Government Organization

    4/1/2025Senate

  21. To Government Organization

    4/1/2025Senate

  22. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/31/2025House

  23. Read 3rd time

    3/31/2025House

  24. Passed House (Roll No. 277)

    3/31/2025House

  25. Effective from passage (Roll No. 278)

    3/31/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation