# W. Va. Code § 8-12-4: Power to provide by charter for initiative, referendum and recall

> West Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S4

## Section

- **Citation:** W. Va. Code § 8-12-4
- **Heading:** Power to provide by charter for initiative, referendum and recall
- **Jurisdiction:** West Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WV Code / Chapter 8 / Article 12 / Section 4

## Text

Any city may by charter provision provide for any or all of the following:

(1) The initiation of ordinances by petition bearing the signatures, written in their own handwriting, of not less than ten percent of the qualified voters of such city;

(2) The submission to the qualified voters of such city of a proposed ordinance at a regular municipal election or special municipal election upon petition bearing the signatures, written in their own handwriting, of not less than ten percent of the qualified voters of such city or upon resolution of the governing body of such city; and

(3) The holding of a special municipal election to submit to the qualified voters of such city the question of the recall of an elected officer upon petition bearing the signatures, written in their own handwriting, of not less than twenty percent of the qualified voters of such city. Not more than one recall election shall be held with respect to an officer during his term of office.

## Nearby sections

- [W. Va. Code § 8-12-1 §8-12-1. General corporate powers of all municipalities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S1.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 8-12-2 §8-12-2. Home rule powers for all cities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S2.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 8-12-3 §8-12-3. Creation by charter provision of certain independent city boards.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S3.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 8-12-3A §8-12-3a. Cities authorized to create department of development and transfer planning functions of certain independent agencies to such department; authorizing related ordinances and resolutions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S3A.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 8-12-4 §8-12-4. Power to provide by charter for initiative, referendum and recall.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S4.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 8-12-5 §8-12-5. General powers of every municipality and the governing body thereof.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S5.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 8-12-5A §8-12-5a. Limitations upon municipalities’ power to restrict the purchase, possession, transfer, ownership, carrying, transport, sale, and storage of certain weapons and ammunition.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S5A.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 8-12-5B §8-12-5b. Municipal authority to enact ordinance; ordinance provisions defining terms; restricting certain activities in relation to obscene matters and establishing penalties for violations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S5B.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 8-12-5C §8-12-5c. Authority to enact ordinance restricting the location of businesses offering exotic entertainment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S5C.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 8-12-5D §8-12-5d. Regulation of amateur radio antennas.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S5D.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 8-12-5E §8-12-5e. Authority to enter into energy-savings contracts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S5E.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 8-12-5F §8-12-5f. Regulation of taxicabs and taxi stands.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S5F.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 8-12-5G §8-12-5g. Authorizing municipalities to hold motor vehicle racing events on public roads, municipal streets or runways.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S5G.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 8-12-6 §8-12-6. Membership in association or league.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S6.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C8_A12_S4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.