What’s the Process for Getting a Building Permit in NC

October 19, 2025

TL;DR

Confirm zoning, setbacks, flood zone, utilities, and any HOA approvals before you design
Prepare a complete plan set and required forms, then apply with your local county or city
Your application routes through building, zoning, and sometimes flood or fire reviews
Pay fees, receive the permit, post it on site, and follow required inspections
After final inspections, you receive your Certificate of Occupancy

Why this matters

In North Carolina, permits are issued by your local jurisdiction following the state code. Clear documents and a logical sequence will save you weeks.

Step 1. Confirm what you can build on your lot

Before drafting plans, verify rules that affect size, placement, and approvals:

Zoning district, setbacks, height, lot coverage
Flood zone and base flood elevation
Easements, buffers, or wetlands
Utility availability or need for well and septic
Any HOA architectural review requirements

Helpful starting points

New Hanover County Permits and Inspections
Wilmington note on permits issued by New Hanover County and COAST portal link
Brunswick County “Do I Need a Permit” and portal hub
Pender County Inspections and Permitting

For flood risk, use FEMA’s Map Service Center: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home

Step 2. Prepare complete construction documents

Most counties require a complete, organized submittal. Expect to provide:

Scaled architectural plans with dimensions
Foundation and structural details as required
Site plan with setbacks, driveway, and grading concept
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing notes or layouts
Energy code compliance (for example, REScheck)
Contractor license information and contacts

County checklists and guides

Brunswick County Residential Permit Application resources, online submittal and forms and PDF guide
New Hanover County Building Safety “Apply for a Permit,” fees, inspections, COAST portal
Pender County plan review and permitting overview, plus PORT online system

Step 3. Submit your permit application

Most jurisdictions accept online applications. You will provide owner and contractor info, parcel number, estimated construction value, the plan set, and any prerequisite approvals such as septic authorization.

Local application portals and pages

Useful Tip for Application

Name your files clearly and include a title page listing all sheets. Complete, organized submittals move faster through review. New Hanover’s page outlines applying, paying online, and checking status. New Hanover County Government

Step 4. Plan review and corrections

Your application typically routes to multiple reviewers:

Building code
Zoning and planning
Floodplain administration where applicable
Environmental or stormwater, and sometimes fire

If comments are issued, respond once with clear markups and resubmit. Wilmington confirms New Hanover County handles the building permit and inspections inside city limits through the same COAST system, which helps you track status.

Step 5. Permit issuance and fees

When approved, you pay fees and receive the permit card and stamped plans. Post the card on site and keep approved plans available.

Examples and fee info

Brunswick County Permit Fee Schedule, noting residential new construction fee includes trade permits
New Hanover County Building Safety fee and payment options available via COAST

Step 6. Start work and schedule inspections

Inspections verify each stage of construction. While exact lists vary, common checkpoints include:

Footings and foundation
Under-slab or rough-in plumbing
Framing and structural sheathing
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-ins
Insulation and energy items
Final building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing

Local inspection pages

Brunswick County Inspections hub
New Hanover County Building Safety inspections and FAQs, including daily volume and scheduling info
Pender County Inspections and Permitting contact and process:

Step 7. Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy

After all trade finals pass, request your final building inspection. When all departments sign off, the jurisdiction issues a Certificate of Occupancy. Wilmington and New Hanover point homeowners to the county inspections department for building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing approvals within city limits.

Typical NC permitting timeline

Exact times depend on season, workload, and document completeness. Use this as a planning baseline for a single-family home with complete plans.

Phase	Typical duration	What speeds it up
Zoning and due diligence	1 to 2 weeks	Confirm zoning rules and flood status before design
Plan preparation	3 to 6 weeks	Decide the footprint and selections early
Initial plan review	2 to 4 weeks	Submit a complete, organized package through the portal
Corrections and resubmittal	1 to 2 weeks	Respond once with clear markups
Permit issuance	1 to 3 days after fees	Pay promptly and post the card
Inspection cycle	Throughout build	Schedule ahead and keep the site ready for inspectors

Some projects require septic permits, driveway permits, shoreline or floodplain approvals, or HOA letters. Build those into your timeline early. County portals and FAQ pages outline these prerequisites. brunswickcountync.gov+1

FAQs

How do I know if I need a permit?
Most new residential construction and many alterations require permits. Your county site has a “Do I need a permit” section and application links. Brunswick County hub: https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/837/Building-Permits.

Who applies for the permit?
Typically the licensed general contractor applies and is the permit holder. City of Wilmington directs applicants to New Hanover County Inspections for permits and inspections within city limits:

Do I need engineered drawings?
If your design uses specialty framing, coastal wind-zone details, trusses, retaining walls, or elevated foundations, reviewers may require engineered drawings. Pender’s plan review guidance and Fire Marshal coordination pages give examples of pre-permit reviews

How much do permits cost?
Fees vary by jurisdiction and scope. Brunswick County posts a clear fee schedule for residential new construction and trade permits

How do I schedule inspections and check status?
Use your county’s portal or phone line. New Hanover’s COAST portal supports online status and payments, and their FAQ explains scheduling norms

Pro tip checklist

Verify zoning, setbacks, flood zone, utilities, and HOA requirements before design
Assemble a complete plan set with energy compliance documents
Use the county’s residential submittal checklist and naming standards
Respond to review comments once, clearly, in writing
Keep stamped plans and the permit card on site at all times
Schedule inspections early and do not cover uninspected work
Track prerequisites that feed into your Certificate of Occupancy

Ready to plan the permit path with your build

Permitting is one part of a successful project, but it sets the pace. If you want clear steps, realistic timing, and a build sequence that aligns with inspections, start with a quick conversation.

See our custom house plans: https://www.brandonconstructiongroup.com/plans
Review recent projects: https://www.brandonconstructiongroup.com/portfolio
Start the conversation: https://www.brandonconstructiongroup.com/contact

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