Wake County, NC Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issued by
- Wake County Inspections Division
- Covers
- New construction, alterations, repairs, relocations
- Also required for
- Land use or occupancy changes
- Farm building exemption
- Bona fide farm buildings exempt
- Penalty
- Enforced under § 150.999
Summary
Wake County requires a permit from the Inspections Division before erecting, altering, repairing or relocating any building or structure, or changing land use, anywhere in the unincorporated county.
No person shall locate, erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair or relocate any building, structure or utility or change the type occupancy thereof, or establish or change any land use or cause same to be performed without first having obtained a permit from the Division for the specific work to be performed or use to be established.
(B) No person shall install, replace or relocate any electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating or cooling utility, material, appliances or equipment without first having obtained a permit from the Division for the specific work to be performed.
(C) The other permits required by any other county or state agency shall be obtained. (1984 Code, § 2-4-60) (Ord. passed 8-6-1979; Ord. passed 6-18-1990) Penalty, see § 150.999
Full Breakdown
Wake County Code § 150.039(A) requires anyone who wants to locate, erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair or relocate any building, structure or utility, or change its occupancy or land use, to first obtain a permit from the county's Inspections Division for the specific work or use. Other permits required by any county or state agency under § 150.039(C) must be obtained separately. Exemptions apply, including bona fide farm buildings under §§ 150.038 and 150.041, and minor repairs exempted by G.S. § 160D-1110.
Violations & Fines
Working without the required permit is a code violation subject to penalty under § 150.999, and the Director may issue a stop-work order until corrections are made and the work is properly permitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Wake County require a building permit?
Are farm buildings exempt from Wake County's permit rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wake County
Compare Wake County to another location·View the North Carolina building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.