Standard Review - Residential Building Plans

Single Family and Duplex

Process Description
The Standard Review - Residential Building Plans process is the most commonly used path for reviewing, approving and permitting One & Two Family Dwelling projects being constructed within the City of Raleigh’s jurisdiction. This full structural review path takes approximately eight (8) days per cycle. The City of Raleigh also offers other residential review options for projects that qualify which will significantly speed up the review cycle time. You may wish to consider these Residential review options: Certified Review, Redi Review and Residential Stand Alone.

When does a project require a plan review and/or permits?

According to the State Administrative Code, no person may commence or proceed with:

The construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, movement to another site, removal, or demolition of any building;
The installation, extension, or general repair of any plumbing system;
The installation, extension, alteration or general repair of any heating or cooling equipment system; or
The installation, extension, alteration or general repair of any electrical wiring, devices, appliances, or equipment...

without first securing from the Inspections Department with jurisdiction over the site of the work each permit required by the North Carolina State Building Codes and other State or local law or local ordinance or regulation applicable to the work. (General Statute 153A-357 and 160A-417). For more details, reference the specific technical code for each trade as provided by the Department of Insurance. If you are still unsure if your project warrants a review and permitting, please reference the Pony Express process for more information or contact Leon Skinner at (919) 516-2191 for assistance.

See the City of Raleigh Development Services Glossary for any unfamiliar terms.

Are there any prerequisites to this process?

If property is on a state road then all NCDOT driveway or encroachment permits must be obtained prior to building permit issuance.
Contractor must be licensed by the State of North Carolina unless construction cost is under $30,000.00 or homeowner is building his/her own home
Recorded map must be approved and filed with the Department of City Planning and Wake County Register of Deeds
Well and/or septic tank permit from Wake County Environmental, if City water and/or sewer is not already available on the property
If a structure already exists on a lot proposed for new construction, a Building Permit for demolition work must be issued and the structure must be demolished prior to submitting plans for review
Certificate of Appropriateness (.doc) or (.pdf), if applicable (Historic Districts and Landmarks)
Board of Adjustment approval, if applicable
For any previously developed property, it is suggested that the client contact the City of Raleigh Housing and Environmental Division at (919) 807-5110 or use the Public Access web tool to investigate potential active housing cases. If an active case is found, Housing/Environmental staff will provide instructions to the client for resolving all pending issues and closing the case
Client must comply with the City of Raleigh Tree Conservation process

How do I start the process?

Complete a City of Raleigh Permit Application
Complete One & Two Family log sheet
Reference the One & Two Family Residential Submittal Guide prior to submittal

What do I need to submit to the City?

Standard Submittal Package

City of Raleigh Permit Application
Two (2) copies of plot plan to include the plot plan stamp
Two (2) copies of building plans
One & two family log sheet for projects that require Fire Protection features (Alarm, Sprinkler, Stand Pipes, Access, Fuel Tanks, etc.) please review and submit according to the Sprinkler and Standpipe Design Guide

What additional documents may be needed?

Driveway Cut Permitting Requirements
2006 NC Residential Code Errata
Wake County Well/Septic Tank Permit from Wake County Environmental, if City water and/or sewer is not already available on the property
City of Raleigh Building Setback Agreement Form
Annexation Petition, if outside city limits and tapping onto city water and sewer
Cross Access Agreement, if applicable. Cross access agreements are legal agreements made between private property owners. They are recorded at the Wake County Register of Deeds and include provisions to allow two or more property owners to have the right of access across one or more properties. It is typically applied to shared vehicular access in the case of a subdivision, site plan or zoning condition
Certificate of Appropriateness (.doc) or (.pdf), if applicable (Historic Districts and Landmarks )
Board of Adjustment approval, if applicable
Plot Plan Stamp
City of Raleigh Deck Brochure
Smoke Alarm Requirements

Where can I find detailed information regarding submittals?
Residential Plan Submittal Guide

Where do I submit my application?
Office:              City of Raleigh
Department:   Inspections
Division:           Permits
Address:          8320-130 Litchford Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
Phone #:          (919) 713-4200
Hours:              8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Submittal packages may be dropped off at the address below and they will be couriered daily to the Litchford Satellite office location:

Office:              City of Raleigh
Department:   Inspections
Division:          Permits
Address:         One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC 27601
Adjacent to:    219 Fayetteville Street
Phone:            (919) 516-2150
Hours:             8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

What are the keys to success?

Complete the City of Raleigh Permit Application accurately and legibly
Plans are drawn to architectural scale and legible
Plot plans are drawn to engineers scale and legible. Must include the plot plan stamp
Ensure that plan content meets requirements as outlined in the One & Two Family Submittal Guide
Verify the project address is correct. To check the current address assigned to a specific property, check the iMAPS on-line property mapping system. If you think your address is incorrect, contact Willa Hinton (919) 516-2638
Recorded Map; If there is no recorded map for the property, then a copy of the current survey in addition to the property description on file with Wake County Register of Deeds is acceptable
All Infrastructure Construction Drawings are designed to meet the requirements of the current North Carolina State Code(s)
Make sure that the square footage is the same on the application as it is on the plans
Contractor information (contact information, business license, workers compensation, liability insurance, etc.) must be correct in the City of Raleigh Contractor file. Contact the Permits Division at (919) 516-2495 to confirm the accuracy of all required data
All contractors must have a City of Raleigh Business License, if work is being done within the City Limits of Raleigh, unless you are a homeowner acting as your own contractor
General Contractor must have Workers Compensation, unless you are a homeowner acting as your own contractor
Be aware that permits will not be issued to the final 25% of the development until all Infrastruture Construction requirements are met

What are the top ten common oversights that result in Plan Review Unresolved Issues?

Plot plan dimensions do not match recorded map and/or building dimensions omitted
Well & Septic permits from Wake County Environmental omitted from submittal package
Footings undersized for loads imposed, piers and/or wall footings
Point loads not identified
Truss layout and/or truss profiles omitted from submittal package
Pre-Manufactured beams not designed & sealed by N.C. Engineer or Architect
Header schedule and/or supporting studs for beams/headers omitted from submittal package
Load(s) imposed by Girder truss, if truss system, not identified on roof framing plan
Walk-up attic floor plan and square footage omitted
Seal date on plans exceeds one year and/or plan font reduction reduces clarity of plan data

What fees are involved and when do I pay them?

See Fee Schedule
Fee is due at the end of the process before permit is issued
Payment types accepted are cash, MasterCard, Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh
All permit fees are processed by the Inspections Department cashiers at the same location you chose to drop off your submittal package

How long will this process take?

Approximately eight (8) business days for the standard review process
Approximately eight (8) business days for re-stamp plans (plans that have been lost or stolen)
Approximately eight (8) business days for Field Revisions
Approximately 4 - 8 business days for re-submittals (plans previously reviewed with unresolved issues)

Guide Home Page

For More Information Contact:
David Mortimer
Building Plans Examiner
Inspections Department
8320-130 Litchford Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
919-713-4204

Martin Velie
Building Plans Examiner
Inspections Department
8320-130 Litchford Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
919-872-4127

Bookmark