Gastonia, NC Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- New construction, additions, alterations
- Issuing officer
- Inspections superintendent, Inspections Division
- Base fee range
- $11.50 to $357.75 plus per-$1,000 add-on
- Mobile home permit fee
- $30.00
- Job-site poster fee
- $1.05, displayed until job complete
- Combined trades
- Covers electrical, plumbing, mechanical fees too
Summary
Gastonia requires a permit from the inspections superintendent before anyone constructs a new building, addition, or alteration. Sec. 16-61 grades each permit A, B, or C based on site defects in street, sewer, water, and drainage conditions, and Sec. 16-62 charges fees from $11.50 up to $357.75 plus a per-$1,000 add-on for larger jobs.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to construct any new building, addition, or alteration to any building without first securing a permit from the inspections superintendent of the city. ... (c) The inspections superintendent shall, based on the defects noted after any of the above headings, classify and grade each permit as follows: (1) Grade "A." A permit on which no defects are listed or noted. (2) Grade "B." A permit on which one defect is listed or noted. (3) Grade "C." A permit on which two or more defects are listed or noted.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 16-61(a) makes it unlawful to construct any new building, addition, or alteration to a building without first securing a permit from the inspections superintendent. When the permit issues, the superintendent notes any site defects under six headings (street condition, sewer/water line elevations, water and sewer availability, electricity availability, and drainage) and grades the permit Grade A (no defects), Grade B (one defect), or Grade C (two or more defects) under Sec. 16-61(c). 05 poster at least 10 by 14 inches showing the grade, name, date, and permit number, and display it at the job site until construction is finished, occupied, or sold.
Sec. 75 per $1,000 above that. 00. Once the building permit fee is paid, Sec. 16-62(1) says the separate plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permit fees under Sec. 16-102, 16-103, and 16-176 are not required in addition. Sec. 16-63 also bars issuing a permit on an unopened, undedicated street except through a homeowners' association escrow arrangement or a properly platted subdivision under Chapter 18.
Violations & Fines
Article III sets no standalone fine for building without a permit under Sec. 16-61(a), so it falls to Gastonia's citywide default in Sec. 1-10: prosecution as a misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4. Separately, Sec. 16-74 bars the inspections superintendent from issuing further building or house-moving permits to a contractor, mover, or owner who has an unpaid $2,500.00 civil penalty on record for a related permit violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a small addition in Gastonia?
How much does a Gastonia building permit cost?
Does the building permit cover electrical and plumbing work too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gastonia
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