Is an Engineer Stamp Needed for My ADU Project in West Virginia?

West Virginia's municipalities — Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Parkersburg — review structural drawings for accessory dwellings, and the PE seal is the standard requirement. The seal must show the engineer's name, West Virginia PE number, and date, and the engineer must be in responsible charge of the engineering. Detached ADUs, garage conversions, and in-law additions are treated the same at the structural level. Owner-builders don't escape the requirement: the building department asks for the seal regardless of who drafted the plans.

The engineer reviews the floor plan and elevations, designs the foundation for steep slopes and shallow rock — hillside sites often need retaining and pin-down details — sizes beams, headers, and the lateral system, and checks snow and wind design. Garage conversions get extra scrutiny because the existing slab was rarely designed as a dwelling foundation. Mine subsidence areas get extra attention. Bring the site survey, the geotechnical report, and the architectural plans. Slope stability is the item most ADU plans miss.

Use this checklist before engaging an engineer for your ADU: • Engineer of record holds an active West Virginia PE license, verifiable on the state roster • Dimensioned floor plan and elevations ready for structural review • Site survey showing setbacks, easements, slopes, and existing structures • Slope stability and retaining details verified for hillside sites • Frost-depth compliance verified for footings, plumbing, and equipment • Garage conversions: existing slab evaluated for dwelling loads • Engineer confirms they'll respond to plan-check corrections on sealed sheets • Seal shows name, West Virginia PE number, and date on every sealed sheet