# W. Va. Code § 61-3-1: Burning, etc., of a dwelling or outbuilding; first degree arson; penalty; definitions

> West Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S1

## Section

- **Citation:** W. Va. Code § 61-3-1
- **Heading:** Burning, etc., of a dwelling or outbuilding; first degree arson; penalty; definitions
- **Jurisdiction:** West Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WV Code / Chapter 61 / Article 3 / Section 1

## Text

(a) Any person who willfully and maliciously sets fire to or burns, or who causes to be burned, or who aids, counsels, procures, persuades, incites, entices or solicits any person to burn, any dwelling, whether occupied, unoccupied or vacant, or any outbuilding, whether the property of or herself or of another, shall be guilty of arson in the first degree and, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to the penitentiary for a definite term of imprisonment which is not less than two nor more than twenty years. A person imprisoned pursuant to this section is not eligible for parole prior to having served a minimum of two years of his or her sentence or the minimum period required by the provisions of section thirteen, article twelve, chapter sixty-two of this code, whichever is greater.

(b) As used in subsection (a) of this section:

(1) “Dwelling” means any building or structure intended for habitation or lodging, in whole or in part, regularly or occasionally, and shall include, but not be limited to, any house, apartment, hotel, dormitory, hospital, nursing home, jail, prison, mobile home, house trailer, modular home, factory-built home or self-propelled motor home;

(2) “Outbuilding” means any building or structure which adjoins, is part of, belongs to, or is used in connection with a dwelling, and shall include, but not be limited to, any garage, shop, shed, barn or stable.

## Nearby sections

- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-1 §61-3-1. Burning, etc., of a dwelling or outbuilding; first degree arson; penalty; definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S1.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-2 §61-3-2. Burning, etc., of other buildings or structures; second degree arson; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S2.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-3 §61-3-3. Burning personal property of another of the value of five hundred dollars or more; third degree arson; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S3.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-4 §61-3-4. Attempt to commit arson; fourth degree arson; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S4.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-5 §61-3-5. Burning, or attempting to burn, insured property; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S5.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-6 §61-3-6. Willfully, unlawfully and maliciously setting fire on lands; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S6.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-7 §61-3-7. Causing injuries during an arson-related crime; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S7.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-8 §61-3-8. Recovery of costs incurred in fighting fires caused by arson.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S8.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-11 §61-3-11. Burglary; entry of dwelling or outhouse; criminal penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S11.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-12 §61-3-12. Entry of building other than dwelling; entry of railroad, traction or motorcar, steamboat, or other vessel; penalties; counts in indictment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S12.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-13 §61-3-13. Grand and petit larceny distinguished; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S13.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-14 §61-3-14. Larceny of bank notes, checks, writings of value and book accounts; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S14.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-15 §61-3-15. How value of notes, book accounts and other writings determined.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S15.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-16 §61-3-16. Larceny of things savoring of realty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S16.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.