When Is A Permit Required?

• Building
• Electrical
• Mechanical (Heating and Air Conditioning; Exhaust Hoods)
• Plumbing
• Zoning

• Construction, additions, remodeling, repairs, replacements, upgrades or any project over $5,000
• Accessory structures such as detached garages, sheds larger than 12 feet, platforms, green houses, etc.
• Any project that involves structural support changes (roof or floor), load bearing walls, screened porches, decks, and balcony projects
• Mechanical permit for replacing a hot water heater, duct running, ventilation, etc.
• Plumbing permit for running lines or replacing shower and/or bath tub enclosures
• Electrical permit for building projects that require electrical wiring such as installing ceiling fans, electrical outlets and overhead lighting
• Landscape Irrigation system installation
• Retaining walls that stand over four feet in height
• Interior and exterior fire place and fire place inserts
• Sky Lights
• Re-roofing, if third layer of shingles
• Exterior Siding

*Exception: Permits are NOT required for constructing a residential fence that is six (6) feet and under in height. This includes open type fences such as chain linked fences or closed fences that can't be seen through such as wooden slat fences.

*Please note that even if your accessory building project (i.e. shed, garage, etc.) does not require building permits due to the size or other minimum requirements, the Zoning setbacks will still apply. Contact the Zoning Division with your property address and they will review the parcel file to check the setbacks and help determine where to place the structure on the property.

Contact a City of Raleigh Residential Plans Examiner at 919-996-4200, with any questions you may have regarding your project, permits, or the application process.

Permit approval and issuance is required before construction or repairs are allowed to begin.

1. Complete a permit application.
2. Create a plot plan, if applicable (see first bullet above). A plot plan is required when building an outside accessory structure. A plot plan is a drawing to scale of a proposed project which includes property lines and existing structures on the property. Plot plans do not need to be created by a design professional. Plot plans must be drawn to Engineering Scale and be submitted on sheets no larger than 8 1/2 x 14 to include a plot plan stamp. For more information, reference the Residential Plan Submittal Guide.
3. The submittal package should be delivered in person to either location below. The submittal package may include: A plot plan drawing, if applicable, completed permit application and permit fee payment.

Tip: Plot plans can be created using the survey drawing that was part of the closing package on your home.

Inspections Department
8320-130 Litchford Road - Satellite Center
Raleigh, NC 27615
919-996-4200

- Or -

Development Services Customer Service Center
One Exchange Plaza
1 Exchange Plaza Suite 400
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-996-2495

Once the permit(s) are issued, you may begin your project!

• Life/Safety Issues
• If permits must be issued after the start or completion of a project, the permits will cost double the original amount
• Home Resale - If you have added square footage without the project being permitted and inspected, you will be required to get it permitted/inspected before you close on the house resale. This may require the finished work to be torn out so that the rough in and framing can be properly inspected. This can be a costly mistake that you are strongly encouraged to avoid

The answer to this question depends completely on the type of project you are attempting. Below are some common inspections and the order in which they should be scheduled. View field inspections for more information regarding inspection types. Questions regarding inspections can also be directed to the Development Services Customer Services Center at 919-996-2500.

Building:

1. Footing Inspection: Footing inspections must be made after the trenches are excavated; all grade stakes are installed; all reinforcing steel and supports are in place and appropriately tied; all necessary forms are in place and braced and before any concrete is placed
2. Framing Inspection: Framing inspections shall be made after the roof, excluding permanent roof covering, wall ceiling and floor framing is complete with the appropriate blocking, bracing and fire stopping in place. Framing inspections must be made prior to a final inspection. If electrical work is being done, the Electrical Rough-In inspection (see below) must be approved before scheduling the Building Framing Inspection.
3. Final Inspection: Final inspection must be made for each trade after all pre-requisite inspections are approved (inspections listed above) indicating completion of authorized work as determined by the technical codes.

Electrical:

Rough-in Inspection: Rough-in inspections must be made before any wall, ceiling finish or building insulation is installed. This gives the inspector an opportunity to view work done that will be hidden from view in the finished building such as building framing, electrical wiring, plumbing, fire protection, or heating ventilation/ cooling system. This inspection must be approved prior to scheduling the Building Framing inspection (see above).

1. Final Inspection: Final inspections must be made for each trade after all pre-requisite inspections are approved (inspections listed above) indicating completion of authorized work as determined by the technical codes.

*Important!
To keep a permit active, at least one inspection must be scheduled within 12 months of permit issuance.

If an inspection is required inside of your home, you will be required to upgrade the smoke detectors to meet current code standards regardless of what type of project you are doing. See link to the right for Smoke Alarm Requirements When a final inspection is scheduled, any pending (open) inspections for that permit number will automatically be scheduled for the same date.

Inspections scheduled out of sequence may result in the inspection being rejected with a re-inspection fee charged (see below information regarding Re-inspections).

1. Call for staff assistance: 919-996-2500 -Or-
2. Use automated voice response system (EDIFY): 919-857-4412 -Or-
3. Visit staff located at:
   Development Services Customer Service Center
   One Exchange Plaza
   1 Exchange Plaza Suite 400
   Raleigh, NC 27601
   919-996-2500

• Permit number
• Project address

Note: All information required above is provided on the applicant permit copy.

See the Top 10 Inspection Rejection reasons listed by trade for: Building, Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing

A code violation may result in an inspection status of "rejection". After the code violation is corrected, you may schedule a re-inspection. A re-inspection fee must be paid before scheduling the next inspection. Re-inspection fees may be paid in cash, MasterCard or Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh at either of the following locations:

• Downtown Raleigh: One Exchange Plaza, 1 Exchange Plaza Suite 400, Raleigh NC 27601 919-996-2500
• North Raleigh: Litchford Satellite Office, 8320-130 Litchford Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 919-996-4200

Re-inspections may be paid over the telephone by contacting a Customer Service Representative at 919-996-2500 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Please have the permit number, project address and credit card information available before you call.

To schedule a re-inspection that was previously paid, contact a Customer Service Representative at 919-996-2500 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or use the automated voice response system (EDIFY) which is available 24 hours per day by calling 919-857-4412.

• Permit fees are based on square footage of the project
• A minimum permit fee is due per trade. The permit fee(s) is due at the end of the review process before the permit(s) is issued
• The permit fee includes the cost of the required trade inspection(s)
• If inspection is rejected, a re-inspection fee must be paid before scheduling the next inspection (see above)
• The following payment types will be accepted: cash, MasterCard, Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh
• Refer to the Development Fee Schedule for fees

• The Same Day Permitting review option for projects that qualify will significantly speed up the review cycle time. This process takes approximately 30 minutes
• Standard Review - Residential Building Plans process is the most commonly used path for reviewing, approving and permitting residential projects being constructed within the City of Raleigh's jurisdiction. This full structural review path takes approximately eight (8) business days per cycle
• If permits are not approved in the first review cycle, it will take approximately 4 - 8 business days for re-submittals (plans previously reviewed with unresolved issues)
• Permit applications that are mailed or dropped off take approximately five (5) business days to process
• Inspections are generally made the next business day after they are scheduled unless requested otherwise
• Re-inspections added to your permit will automatically be scheduled for the next business day once the payment has been processed, unless requested otherwise
• After Hours Inspections At Your Service

• Construction Inspections
• Re-inspections
• Smoke Alarm Requirements
• Wood Decks - 2009 Appendix M
• Deck Brochure
• Reference code Section R315 regarding CO2 detector requirements