Morgantown Gutter Guard Guide: Rain, Slopes, Licenses

Updated October 25, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency listed before you start work.

Quick reference

Topic	What to know	Source
Annual precipitation	About 43.15 in. Wettest month July (4.93 in), driest February (2.81 in)	NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morgantown Municipal Airport, via Wikipedia
Snow	About 27.6 in a year	1981–2010 normals, via Wikipedia
Forest cover	About 78% of West Virginia is forest, third most in the U.S.	e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia
Landslide exposure	2,967 primary structures in Monongalia County in high or medium susceptibility areas, 2nd in WV	WVU GIS Technical Center, Region 6 report
Contractor license	Required for jobs of $5,000 or more residential, $25,000 or more commercial	W. Va. Code § 30-42-3
Written contract	Required for jobs of $10,000 or more; license number on all contracts	WV Division of Labor
Morgantown permits	Needed when a structure is erected, altered or repaired; reviewed by Code Enforcement	City of Morgantown
Digging	Contact WV811 at least two business days before digging	Dominion Energy West Virginia

How much water do Morgantown gutters handle?

NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for Morgantown Municipal Airport total about 43.15 inches of precipitation a year. July is the wettest month at 4.93 inches and February the driest at 2.81. Snowfall averages about 27.6 inches a year. The yearly total matters less than how it arrives. A summer thunderstorm can drop more water in an hour than a 5-inch gutter with one downspout can move, and that's when water spills over the front edge and lands beside the foundation.

Why do trees make gutters such a chore here?

West Virginia's forest grew from a little over 60 percent of the state in 1949 to about 78 percent by the late 1980s and has stayed near that level, making it the third most forested state after Maine and New Hampshire. Morgantown is a Tree City USA, and many neighborhoods and subdivisions back up to woodland. Expect the heaviest gutter loads after leaf drop in late fall, with a second, smaller load of seeds and flower parts in spring.

Why does drainage matter so much on Monongalia County hillsides?

West Virginia University's GIS Technical Center found 2,967 primary structures in Monongalia County in high or medium landslide susceptibility areas, second in the state, including 919 inside Morgantown. The report says slides and slumps are most troublesome in late winter and early spring when soils are saturated, and that poorly built development can disrupt surface drainage and soak the ground. The West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey lists heavy rain, clay soil and steep slopes as the most important causes of landslides. Gutters can't fix an unstable slope, but they do control where the roof's water goes. Carry it to a stable outlet rather than letting it loose at the top of a bank or behind a retaining wall.

What size gutters does a Morgantown house need?

Five-inch K-style gutters with 2-by-3-inch downspouts are the most common setup. Six-inch gutters with 3-by-4-inch downspouts carry much more and suit large or steep roof planes, long runs and valleys. On hillside houses, the downhill wall is often tall, and the roof above it may be the biggest. Ask the installer to size each side of the house. If clean gutters overflow, they're likely too small or short on downspouts.

Which guard fits which house?

Guard type	Works well for	Drawback
Stainless micro-mesh	Seeds, needles and heavy leaf fall	Fine debris can film the top and need rinsing
Perforated metal / screen	Broad leaves at lower cost	Small seeds and needles pass through
Hood (reverse-curve)	Broad leaves, solid-cover look	Can overshoot in heavy rain off steep roofs
Foam / brush insert	Quick DIY fix	Holds debris and wears out sooner

Does a gutter installer need a West Virginia contractor license?

Under W. Va. Code § 30-42-3, a contractor is anyone who, for pay, takes on building, altering, repairing or improving a structure when the job costs $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work. Licenses are issued through the West Virginia Division of Labor. The Division says license numbers must appear on all contracts and advertisements, licenses must be posted at the job site, jobs of $10,000 or more need a written contract describing the work and cost and signed by both sides, and local building permits can't be issued to unlicensed contractors for jobs of $2,500 or more. Its consumer page says a valid license shows a six-digit number preceded by "WV," and you can check it through the Division's Contractor Search.

Do I need a permit?

West Virginia's State Building Code is adopted locally, and according to WVU's WV LEAP program, local governments aren't required to enforce it. Inside Morgantown, the city says a building permit is required any time a structure is erected, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, converted or demolished, and Code Enforcement at City Hall on Spruce Street reviews applications. Westover and Star City are separate municipalities, and Cheat Lake, Brookhaven and other unincorporated areas fall under Monongalia County. Ask the office that covers your address, or have your installer confirm.

How do I hire a gutter company well?

Ask to see the WV contractor license and check it with the Division of Labor.
Get a certificate of insurance for liability and workers' compensation.
Get at least three bids and call references from finished jobs.
Get a written estimate naming gutter size, material, downspout count and guard product.
Don't pay in cash, don't pay in full up front, and don't let payments run ahead of the work.
Be wary of door-to-door offers that ask for a cash deposit.

Before any digging

West Virginia law requires a WV811 locate request for every digging project, at least two business days but no more than ten working days before work starts. Locating is free. For buried downspout lines, your installer should make the request and hand-dig near any marked lines.

Common questions

How much rain does Morgantown, WV get?

About 43 inches a year, based on NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for Morgantown Municipal Airport. July is the wettest month.

Do gutter installers need a license in West Virginia?

Yes, for residential jobs of $5,000 or more. Licenses come from the WV Division of Labor, and the number must be on your contract.

Do I need a permit for gutter work in Morgantown?

The city requires a permit whenever a structure is altered or repaired. Check with Code Enforcement, or with Monongalia County outside city limits.

Morgantown gutter guard guide (2026)