Information may be inaccurate or out of date. Always confirm permit requirements with the official city, county or state website before you start work. Read our disclaimer

Building Permits in Durham, North Carolina

Part of Durham County.

We checked Durham's own official pages for 3 types of projects (shed, fence, pool). Permits are issued by City of Durham. Every rule below links to the page it was taken from, so you can confirm it before you start work. Last verified September 29, 2026.

Verified permit information is available for 3 project types in Durham.

Verified Permit Categories

Durham rules in detail

Shed

Permit required
Yes source: durhamnc.gov

Fence

Conditions
A permit is required when the fence/wall is used as a pool barrier on parcels of single family dwellings source: durhamnc.gov
Exempt from a permit
Commercial fences/walls under 6 ft. do not require a building permit at all unless they are swimming pool guards or affect fire department access source: durhamnc.gov
Permit required
Depends source: durhamnc.gov
Height limit (ft)
8 source: durhamnc.gov

Pool

Conditions
An electrical permit must be obtained by a licensed electrician for all swimming pools; these requirements apply to both in-ground and above-ground pools source: durhamnc.gov
Permit required
Yes source: durhamnc.gov

Not yet verified

These permit categories do not yet have enough verified information to publish a linked permit page.

  • Deck
  • Roof
  • Patio
  • Pergola
  • Garage
  • Carport
  • Tree Removal
  • Solar Panels
  • HVAC
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Driveway
  • ADU
  • Home Addition
  • Demolition
  • Windows
  • Water Heater

Where to apply

City of Durham · official website

North Carolina statewide rules

State defaults apply everywhere in the state; cities and counties may add stricter local rules.

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

Permit guides