West Virginia Code Chapter 8A. Land Use Planning § 8A-7-8. Amendments to the zoning ordinance by the governing body

(a) Before amending the zoning ordinance, the governing body with the advice of the planning commission, must find that the amendment is consistent with the adopted comprehensive plan. If the amendment is inconsistent, then the governing body with the advice of the planning commission, must find that there have been major changes of an economic, physical or social nature within the area involved which were not anticipated when the comprehensive plan was adopted and those changes have substantially altered the basic characteristics of the area.

(b) When a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance involves a change in the zoning map classification of any parcel of land, or a change to the applicable zoning ordinance text regulations that changes the allowed dwelling unit density of any parcel of land, the governing body shall, at least thirty days prior to the enactment of the proposed amendment if there is not an election, or at least thirty days prior to an election on the proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance: