West Virginia § 8-5-7 - 8-5-7. Certain officers; wards or election districts; residency and other requirements.
Full text of West Virginia West Virginia Code § 8-5-7 — 8-5-7. Certain officers; wards or election districts; residency and other requirements., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 8-5-7. 8-5-7. Certain officers; wards or election districts; residency and other requirements.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in the charter of a municipality, there shall be elected a mayor, a recorder and council members, who together shall form the governing body of the municipality.
(b) When a municipality has not been divided into wards or election districts, there shall be at least five council members, but when the municipality has been divided into wards or election districts, the governing body may, by ordinance, determine the number of council members to be elected from each ward or election district. When it is considered necessary, the governing body may, by ordinance, increase or decrease the number of wards or election districts and change the boundaries thereof, the wards or election districts to be made as nearly equal as may be, in population, and when the municipality is divided into wards or election districts, or there is an increase or decrease in the number of wards or election districts as aforesaid, the governing body may increase or decrease the number of council members and, in the case of an increase in the number of council members, direct an election to be held at the next regular municipal election in the additional ward or wards or election district or districts so that each ward or election district may have its full number of council members residing therein and may have equal representation on the governing body. When a municipality has been divided into wards or election districts, the governing body may, by ordinance, also provide for the election of council members at large in addition to the council members to be elected from each ward or election district. The provisions of this subsection are applicable to any municipality except to the extent otherwise provided in the charter of the municipality.
(c) Unless otherwise provided by charter provision or ordinance, the mayor, recorder and council members must be residents of the municipality and must be qualified voters entitled to vote for members of its governing body. A city manager in a manager form of government need only be a resident of the city at the time of his or her appointment.
Source: official West Virginia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia § 8-5-7
What does West Virginia Code § 8-5-7 cover?
Section 8-5-7 ("8-5-7. Certain officers; wards or election districts; residency and other requirements.") is part of the West Virginia Code, the codified statutory law of West Virginia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite West Virginia § 8-5-7?
A common citation format is "West Virginia Code § 8-5-7" (West Virginia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of West Virginia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the West Virginia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed West Virginia attorney.
How does West Virginia § 8-5-7 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in West Virginia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in West Virginia.