Building in North Carolina is an exciting opportunity, but it comes with specific responsibilities — chief among them is obtaining the proper building permits for your project. Whether you’re a developer, contractor, or builder, navigating the permit process is an essential part of making sure your project runs smoothly while complying with all local regulations. You need a permit in order to avoid delays and fines.
This guide will help you understand the basics of Raleigh’s building permit process, including which projects require permits, how long it takes, and how permitting tools can help to simplify the entire process. Let’s dive in.
What requires a building permit in Raleigh?
Virtually every commercial project in Raleigh requires that you obtain a building permit beforehand. Smaller residential projects don’t always need a permit, such as nonstructural work totaling less than $40,000. You can find a more comprehensive list of unpermitted projects here.
In Raleigh, projects that typically need a permit include:
- New construction
- Structural modifications that result in changes to load-bearing walls, foundations, or major structural elements
- Additions and expansions to add extra rooms, garages, or second stories
- Major renovations that involve significant electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work
- Demolition of existing structures
The general rule: If the work could affect the safety or structure of a building, you need a permit. Performing work without one could cause major delays to your project, and possibly even an order to remove already completed work.
Who issues building permits in Raleigh?
The City of Raleigh Planning and Development Department is responsible for issuing building permits. They handle everything from initial application reviews to final inspections, ensuring that projects comply with local building codes and zoning regulations.
Some inspections may need to be coordinated with Wake County, the county in which Raleigh resides. However, most of the permitting work is done with the City of Raleigh.
How long does it take to get a building permit in North Carolina?
There’s no uniform timeline for getting a building permit in Raleigh. Approval times will vary depending on the project’s size and scope, but the Planning and Development Department aims to spend no more than 60 days on the review process.
Initial review of the plan should take no more than 15 business days. After that, different reviews may be needed to inspect more specific aspects of a project.
Additional review may be needed for:
- Referencing against existing city maps
- Mass grading
- Flood study
- Legal document review
- Administrative site review
If you’re starting on a big project, chances are your permit will take about two months to get back to you. You can also help to avoid further delays by submitting an accurate, complete application.
How long does a permit last?
In Raleigh, a building permit is generally valid for 6 months from the date it is issued. If work doesn’t begin before that period ends, you may have to apply for an extension.
How to obtain a building permit in Raleigh
The first step in applying for a building permit is to obtain the right forms. You can start with this non-residential project application first.
After that, your project will determine which other applications you’ll need to comply with city regulations. The City of Raleigh can advise you on this. You can also use an online permitting tool to get that information beforehand.
Next is to gather any other supplementary materials pertinent to your project. Here is a complete list, which includes documents such as:
- Digital site plans in PDF format
- A completed Building Code Summary form
- Permissions from relevant owners
- Lighting plans
- Fire rated wall and sprinkler systems map
- Traffic plans
- Environmental reports
- Contractor information for project personnel
There are many other documents that you may need to submit. Make sure to keep your project materials organized in case the City of Raleigh has further questions about what to provide.
Fees for a building permit in Raleigh
Here is a complete list of permitting fees. There are many of them, and they can be confusing to understand. However, all projects require an initial review fee and costs for inspections. From there, they increase based on the project’s size and inspection requirements.
Additional charges may apply for plan reviews, inspections, or expedited processing. The City of Raleigh also offers this fee calculator to help builders get a better idea of what they’ll be spending on permits.
Contact City of Raleigh Planning and Development Department
Raleigh’s Planning and Development Customer Service Center is the only in-person way to get answers to your permitting questions. The center is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Their office is located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27602. You can also contact the Planning and Development Department by:
- Phone: (919) 996-2495
- Online: Customer request form
How PermitFlow simplifies permitting
Navigating the building permit process is essential to ensuring your project is both successful and compliant with local regulations. Managing an application, however, is a full-time job. Many developers and contractors choose to spend their time elsewhere, thanks to help from permitting tools like PermitFlow.
PermitFlow is a cloud-based permitting application that helps developers, contractors, and builders manage their permit applications efficiently.
PermitFlow helps by providing:
- Step-by-step guidance to ensure your application is filled out correctly
- Document management by keeping all your plans and permits in one organized digital space
- Real-time updates on your permit status and next steps
- Streamlined communication with local officials through the platform
Get started with PermitFlow
PermitFlow takes the headache out of navigating Raleigh’s permitting system to help ensure that your project stays on track. By letting someone else handle the time-consuming work of communicating with the City, you have time to focus on what you do best: building.
Want to learn more about how PermitFlow can aid your next project? Get started today by speaking to one of our permitting experts.
