Overview: Are STRs allowed in Moundsville? Short‑term rentals (STRs) are permitted in Moundsville, but only under specific land‑use classifications and approvals. Whole‑home or unit‑by‑unit rentals that offer transient lodging are treated by the City’s Zoning Code as one or more of the following uses, which are listed and regulated by zoning district:

• Tourist Home / Boarding House / Rooming House (offering overnight lodging for profit with no in‑room cooking or dining facilities) — this category aligns most closely with typical STRs operating in a residential context.
• Bed and Breakfast Inn (B&B) — a private residence with no more than 10 transient paying guests and ancillary services like breakfast.
• Hotel / Motel — lodging offered for compensation, typically with common services and facilities for patrons.

Permitted zoning pathways in Moundsville:

• Tourist Home / Boarding House / Rooming House
  • Allowed by right (R‑C: Recreation‑Conservation)
  • Conditional use in M: Mixed‑Use
  • Prohibited in R‑1, R‑2, C‑1, and C‑2
• Bed and Breakfast Inn
  • Conditional use in R‑1 and R‑2 (single‑family and multi‑family residential districts)
  • Conditional use in M: Mixed‑Use
  • Conditional use in C‑2: Historic and Neighborhood Commercial
  • Permitted by right in C‑1: Corridor Commercial
  • Prohibited in R‑C
• Hotel / Motel
  • Permitted by right in C‑1 and C‑2
  • Permitted by right in M
  • Prohibited in R‑1, R‑2, and R‑C

Bottom line for investors:

• If you plan to operate a residential‑style STR (e.g., Airbnb or VRBO whole‑home rental), your legal pathway is the Tourist Home use. Tourist Homes are only allowed by right in the R‑C district and as a conditional use in the M district. In the City’s residential (R‑1/R‑2) and most commercial (C‑1/C‑2) districts, Tourist Homes are not permitted.
• If you plan to operate a B&B, you may do so in R‑1, R‑2, C‑2, and M as a conditional use; and in C‑1 as a permitted use.
• A conventional Hotel/Motel is allowed in C‑1, C‑2, and M.

How to start an STR business in this market

1. Confirm zoning and intended use

• Identify the zoning of your subject property (R‑1, R‑2, C‑1, C‑2, M, R‑C).
• Decide which use category fits your model: Tourist Home (residential STR), Bed and Breakfast Inn, or Hotel/Motel.

2. Select a legal pathway

• Residential‑style STR → Tourist Home
  • Allowed by right in R‑C.
  • Allowed as a conditional use in M. You will need to obtain a conditional use permit.
• B&B model → Bed and Breakfast Inn
  • Permitted by right in C‑1.
  • Conditional use in R‑1, R‑2, C‑2, and M.
• Hotel/Motel → Hotel/Motel
  • Permitted by right in C‑1, C‑2, and M.

3. Obtain zoning approvals

• Conditional Use Permit (where applicable)
  • Submit an application to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). Provide a site plan, floor plans, and a detailed operating plan describing guest stay duration, maximum occupancy, parking plan, and any on‑site management.
  • The BZA will hold a public hearing; approval allows the use subject to conditions (e.g., parking, signage, and occupancy limits as may be imposed by the City).
• Permitted by Right (e.g., C‑1, M for Hotel/Motel; R‑C for Tourist Home; C‑1 for B&B)
  • Proceed with zoning confirmation and standard zoning permit from the Zoning Officer; no BZA hearing is required, but all development standards must be met.

4. Meet all applicable development standards

• Use the lot, yard, and height requirements for the district, as well as parking and design standards, which will be conditions of approval.
• Minimum district standards are summarized below to inform feasibility and design.

5. Secure business registration and lodging licenses

• City business registration (Ordinance 331.08; procedures not detailed in the provided code). Contact City Hall for application.
• Lodging/health permits from the City or Marshall County Health Department as applicable (state‑level lodging rules and local enforcement may apply; confirm current requirements with local authorities).

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines Zoning

• Zoning confirmation letter from the Zoning Officer.
• Conditional Use Permit application and supporting materials (site plan, floor plans, operating plan) where required.
• Final zoning permit from the Zoning Officer before commencement.

Building and fire (as applicable)

• Building permits and final inspections for any construction, alteration, or change of use.
• Fire safety compliance inspections for transient lodging. Confirm requirements with the City Building/Zoning Department and/or local fire marshal.

Health and sanitation

• Lodging/health permits from City or Marshall County Health Department.
• Demonstration of adequate sewage disposal (public sewer or approved septic) and potable water.
• Compliance with state lodging/health regulations; confirm licensing thresholds and inspections with the City/County Health Department.

Business and tax

• City business registration and any required municipal business taxes.
• West Virginia business registration at the State Tax Division.
• Sales and use tax compliance (see state‑level section below).
• If a B&B serves alcohol, confirm licensing under West Virginia alcoholic beverage control statutes; conditional zoning approvals typically restrict on‑site sale of alcohol unless separately authorized.

Insurance and operations

• General liability and property insurance appropriate for transient lodging operations.
• House rules and management plan addressing occupancy, quiet hours, parking, and guest conduct.
• Adequate off‑street parking (per district standards and any conditions of approval).

Specific zoning and development standards (by district) R‑1: Residential Single‑Family

• STR options: Bed and Breakfast Inn (conditional use); Tourist Home/Boarding House (prohibited).
• Key development standards: min lot 3,600 sf; min lot width 40 ft; front setback 10 ft (or average of adjoining setbacks); side 6 ft; rear 15 ft; max height 35 ft; max lot coverage 40%.

R‑2: Residential Multi‑Family

• STR options: Bed and Breakfast Inn (conditional use); Tourist Home/Boarding House (prohibited).
• Key development standards: min lot 3,200 sf; min lot width 38 ft; front setback 8 ft (or average of adjoining setbacks); side 4 ft; rear 10 ft; max height 40 ft; max lot coverage 60%.

C‑1: Corridor Commercial

• STR options: Hotel/Motel (permitted by right); Bed and Breakfast Inn (permitted by right); Tourist Home/Boarding House (prohibited).
• Key development standards: min lot 5,000 sf; min lot width 50 ft; front setback 15 ft; side 10 ft; rear 10 ft; max height 60 ft; max lot coverage 80%.

C‑2: Historic and Neighborhood Commercial

• STR options: Hotel/Motel (permitted by right); Bed and Breakfast Inn (conditional use); Tourist Home/Boarding House (prohibited).
• Key development standards: min lot 3,000 sf; min lot width 45 ft; front setback 0 ft; side setback 0 ft unless adjoining residential (then 8 ft); rear 10 ft; max height 50 ft; max lot coverage 70%.

M: Mixed‑Use

• STR options: Hotel/Motel (permitted by right); Bed and Breakfast Inn (conditional use); Tourist Home/Boarding House (conditional use).
• Key development standards: min lot 4,000 sf; min lot width 35 ft; front setback 5 ft; side 4 ft; rear 10 ft; max height 50 ft; max lot coverage 60%.

R‑C: Recreation‑Conservation

• STR options: Tourist Home/Boarding House (permitted by right); Hotel/Motel (prohibited); Bed and Breakfast Inn (prohibited).
• Key development standards: min lot 8,000 sf; min lot width 50 ft; front 20 ft; side 15 ft; rear 20 ft; max height 30 ft; max lot coverage not specified in the excerpt.

Additional zoning and land‑use notes

• The Code defines “Dwelling” as a structure designed or used primarily for human habitation, excluding boarding houses, tourist homes, motels, hotels, or other structures designed for transient residence. This reinforces that STRs operating as transient lodging fall under the separate use categories above, not under a residential “dwelling” use.
• “Accessory Use” and “Home‑Based Business (Low Impact)” exist in the Code but are limited to low‑impact commercial activity in residential dwellings and do not authorize transient lodging in residential districts.
• “Conditional Use” requires a public hearing and approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA); the BZA can impose conditions to mitigate impacts (e.g., parking, occupancy, signage).
• “Permitted by Right” (Use Permitted by Right) may proceed with administrative zoning permit issuance and compliance with all district standards; no public hearing is required unless specified elsewhere.
• The City’s zoning regulations apply to the “use” of any building, structure, or parcel, and the City’s zoning enforcement is administered by the Zoning Officer, with appeals to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Regulatory framework summary for STR models

• Residential‑style STR (whole‑home or unit STR): Treat as Tourist Home. Viable only in R‑C (by right) or M (conditional use).
• B&B in a residence: Treat as Bed and Breakfast Inn. Conditional use in R‑1, R‑2, C‑2, and M; permitted by right in C‑1.
• Hotel/Motel: Permitted by right in C‑1, C‑2, and M.

State‑level regulations that apply in Moundsville

• West Virginia lodging tax and business registration: Short‑term rentals typically must register with the West Virginia State Tax Division, collect and remit state sales and use taxes, and comply with local business registration requirements. State occupancy or lodging taxes may apply depending on the structure and operations. Confirm current rates and obligations directly with the WV State Tax Division.
• State lodging/health licensing: Separate state or county health department permits may be required for lodging operations. Confirm whether your planned operation is subject to licensing and inspections under state lodging statutes.

Contacts (City and County) City of Moundsville — Main

• Phone: (304) 845‑1410
• Address: 800 6th Street, Moundsville, WV 26041
• Official website: www.cityofmoundsville.com

City of Moundsville — Planning, Zoning, and Building Department

• Role: Zoning Officer, zoning permit administration, conditional use applications, building permits
• Phone: (304) 845‑1410 (main)
• Department email and specific contact details were not provided in the source materials

Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA)

• Role: Public hearing body for conditional use permits and variances
• Contact: Through the City Clerk’s office and/or the Planning/Zoning Department

Marshall County Health Department

• Role: Potentially issues lodging/health permits for septic and public health compliance
• Phone: Not provided in the source materials
• Website: Not provided in the source materials

Source links

• City of Moundsville Zoning Code (adopted October 17, 2017; includes district standards, permitted/conditional uses, procedures, and definitions relevant to STR uses)
  • www.cityofmoundsville.com/docs/AdoptedZoningCode-PDF.pdf

Practical guidance for investors

• Lead with zoning feasibility: Do not purchase or lease without confirming the district and whether your intended STR model is permitted or conditionally permitted. In residential districts, a Tourist Home is not allowed; the B&B pathway requires conditional use approval and compliance with all residential standards.
• Target districts strategically:
  • Residential‑style STRs are only viable in M (with conditional use) or R‑C (by right), both of which may limit your guest profile and operational scale relative to demand corridors.
  • B&B operations fit well in residential districts via conditional use and are permitted by right in C‑1; C‑2 is possible but requires conditional approval.
  • A Hotel/Motel fits best in C‑1, C‑2, or M.
• Anticipate conditions of approval: Conditional use approvals frequently include conditions on parking, signage, occupancy, on‑site management, and compatibility with adjacent residential uses. Design your site and operation plan to meet these constraints.
• Coordinate early with the Zoning Officer: Confirm use classification, required approvals, and any special overlay districts (e.g., Historic District or Riparian Overlay) that may add requirements.

Notes

• This guide synthesizes STR‑relevant sections of the City of Moundsville Zoning Code. It does not include separate city business licensing procedures or Marshall County health department permit processes; investors must verify current requirements with those authorities.