Gaston County, NC Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

4 states plainly that no structure governed by the State Building Code may be erected, added to, structurally altered, moved, occupied, or demolished until Gaston County Building Inspections has issued a building permit, and that a permit issues only for work meeting the Unified Development Ordinance and any variances or approvals already granted. 3, which the Administrator issues based on dimensional compliance and which lapses if work is not started within six months of issuance or is abandoned for a year. 7 makes the sequencing explicit: no accessory structure may be constructed or placed on a lot before both a zoning permit and a building permit are issued for the principal use or structure on the same lot.

Certain listed items, such as mailboxes, walls, fences, and doghouses, are not regulated as accessory structures at all and so need neither permit for that reason. 4(H) ties a temporary manufactured home permit to the homeowner first securing a building permit for the permanent dwelling. 3 whenever an uncorrected violation exists on the property, and can order a stop-work order under state law for any building proceeding without the required permit.