Greenville, NC Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Section 9-1-31(A) is the core rule: no person may commence or proceed with the construction, alteration, repair, removal or demolition of any building or structure, or part of one, without a written permit from the Inspections Division, except for the narrow categories of work the North Carolina State Building Code exempts from permitting. The permit itself must be kept on the premises for public inspection throughout the job, and an identification placard showing the permit number has to be conspicuously posted where it is visible from the street. Section 9-1-31(B) narrows demolition permits specifically to a licensed general contractor, a demolition contractor, or the owner. Section 9-1-31(C) extends the same permit requirement to erecting, altering or repairing a billboard or sign, unless the State Building Code exempts the work, though that exemption never excuses a separate development approval the Planning Division requires.

Section 9-1-33 requires the application to be filed electronically through the Inspections Division's permitting software by the owner or an authorized agent, and Section 9-1-34 has the inspector issue the permit once the application and proposed work comply with the chapter and the applicable technical codes and the fee under Section 9-1-38 is paid. Section 9-1-36 caps how long a permit stays valid: six months from issuance if work has not started, and immediate expiration if started work is discontinued for 12 months. Section 9-1-31(E) penalizes skipping the permit altogether with a fee of twice the normal cost or a $100 minimum.