High Point, NC Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- High Point Code § 9-2-41(a)
- Issuing office
- Director of Planning & Development
- Covers
- Construction, alteration, repair, demolition
- Also required
- Certificate of occupancy, § 9-2-49
- Permit expires
- 6 months if work unstarted
Summary
Before building, rebuilding, altering, repairing, removing, or tearing down any structure in High Point, you need a written permit from the director of planning and development.
Building permit. No person shall commence or proceed with the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal or demolition of any building or other structure, or any part thereof, without a written permit therefor from the director of planning and development.(b)Plumbing permit. No person shall commence or proceed with the installation, a extension or general repair of any plumbing system without a written permit from the plumbing inspector.(c)Heating-air conditioning permit. No person shall commence or proceed with the installation, extension, alteration or general repair of any heating or cooling equipment system without a written permit from the heating-air conditioning inspector.(d)Electrical permit. No person shall commence or proceed with the installation, extension, alteration or general repair of any electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment without a written permit from the electrical inspector. (Ord. No. 7206/16-26, § 4, 5-16-16)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 9 | Development Ordinance: Supplement 14).
Full Breakdown
Section 9-2-41(a) bars starting construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition of any building or structure in High Point without a written permit from the director of planning and development. Applications must include a scaled plat showing lot dimensions and building placement under § 9-2-48, and a separate certificate of occupancy, required before the structure can be used at all, must be applied for at the same time under § 9-2-49. Permit fees are set by city council, and under § 9-2-45 an issued permit lapses automatically six months after issuance if work never starts.
Violations & Fines
Building or altering a structure without the required permit violates § 9-2-41(a) and can trigger enforcement action; the director may also revoke an issued permit for material departures from approved plans or false statements, under § 9-2-44.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers the need for a building permit in High Point?
Can I occupy a new High Point building right after getting the building permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in High Point
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Building Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle building permits.