Bill > SB971

This bill amends existing West Virginia law to establish minimum fire safety requirements for fully enclosed buildings used by agritourism businesses, which are operations that combine agricultural activities with tourism. While agritourism itself won't change a property's agricultural classification for building codes, zoning, or taxes, this bill clarifies that certain facilities within these businesses, such as educational facilities (unless for incidental use), daycare, correctional, healthcare, and sleeping/lodging facilities, are not exempt from building and fire codes. For eligible agritourism buildings, the bill mandates specific fire safety measures including a minimum number of accessible exits based on occupant load, clearly visible exit signs, readily accessible and maintained fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems for larger occupancies, carbon monoxide detectors if fuel-fired equipment is used, posted occupant loads, emergency lighting where needed, and a posted evacuation plan. It also requires specific safety measures for kitchens and food preparation areas, including GFCI receptacles and specialized fire extinguishers, and outlines electrical wiring standards for new and existing structures. The bill generally prohibits open flames and pyrotechnics unless a sprinkler system is in place, and prohibits overnight lodging unless full State Fire Code requirements are met. It also sets a two-story height limit for structures, with specific egress and fire extinguisher requirements for second floors used for assembly, and mandates an initial inspection by the State Fire Marshal or local authority before an exemption can be granted. Finally, it exempts certain open-air structures, greenhouses, high tunnels, grain storage buildings, and agricultural structures not used for agritourism from these new provisions.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=971&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill