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Building Permits in North Carolina

North Carolina statewide rules

These state rules apply everywhere in the state. Cities and counties may add stricter local rules — open your city below.

Local changes allowed
Limited source: ncleg.gov
Issued by
North Carolina Building Code Council and Residential Code Council source: ncleg.gov

Deck

Exempt from a permit
No permit is required for replacement of windows, doors, exterior siding, or the pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking of porches and exterior decks, as long as the replacement otherwise meets the requirements of the state minor-work permit exclusion source: ncleg.gov

Roof

Conditions
Under the state minor-work permit exclusion, adding new roofing (as opposed to replacing existing roofing) is not covered by the exclusion and still requires a permit; roof replacement remains within the exclusion source: ncleg.gov

Garage

Exempt from a permit
Detached and attached garages located on the same lot as a dwelling are exempt from the energy efficiency standards in the NC Residential Code (Chapter 11) and NC Energy Conservation Code (Chapter 4) source: ncleg.gov

Electrical

Conditions
In a one- or two-family dwelling no permit is required for repair or replacement of electrical lighting fixtures or devices such as receptacles and lighting switches, subject to the listed requirements source: ncleg.gov

Demolition

Permit required
Yes source: ncleg.gov

Water Heater

Conditions
In a one- or two-family dwelling no permit is required to connect a replacement water heater if the work is performed by a licensed person who personally examines it and ensures a leak test has been performed on the gas piping, and the energy use rate or thermal input is not greater than the replaced heater with no change in fuel, energy source, location, capacity, or routing or sizing of venting and piping source: ncleg.gov

Cities

Permit Categories

Permit guides