Brunswick County, NC Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Inspection stages
- 9, footings through final
- Framing inspection timing
- Before structure is enclosed
- Occupancy requires
- Signed certificate of compliance
- Temporary occupancy option
- Temporary certificate for stated period
- Unauthorized occupancy penalty
- Misdemeanor, G.S. § 153A-363
Summary
Brunswick County's Building Inspections Department requires a call-in inspection at nine defined stages of construction, from footings and framing through electrical, plumbing and a final inspection, before work can continue past each stage (Code § 1-8.5-36(a)).
Sec. 1-8.5-36. Inspection procedures. (a)Inspections. The Brunswick County Building Inspections Department, under the supervision of the building codes administrator, shall inspect all buildings and structures and work therein for which a permit of any kind has been issued as often as necessary in order to determine whether the work complies with the appropriate codes. All holders of permits or their agents shall notify the central permit office at each of the following stages of construction so that approval may be given before work is continued: (1)Footings and foundations: To be made after trenches are excavated and the necessary reinforcement and forms are in place and before concrete is placed. ... (2)Framing inspection: To be made after all structural framing is in place and all roughing-in of plumbing and electrical and heating has been installed ... but before any of the structure is enclosed or covered. ... (9)Final inspection: To be made after all requirements of the Brunswick County Zoning Ordinance and the N.C. Building Codes have been met and before the building is occupied.
Full Breakdown
5-36(a) sets the required inspection sequence for any permitted project in the unincorporated county: footings and foundations, inspected after trenches are excavated and reinforcement and forms are placed but before concrete pours; framing, inspected after all structural framing and plumbing, electrical and heating rough-in are installed but before the structure is enclosed; separate rough-in and final inspections for electrical, plumbing, and heating/air conditioning; an insulation rough-in inspection followed by final approval once plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning are all approved; a mobile home set-up inspection covering tiedowns, blocking, steps, handrails, plumbing and electrical; a certificate-of-completion inspection for septic systems; and a final inspection confirming compliance with the county zoning ordinance and North Carolina building codes before occupancy.
Permit holders or their agents must notify the central permit office at each stage so an inspector can approve the work before it continues, and concealed work must be uncovered again at the inspector's request if it was covered before inspection. 5-36(c)).
Violations & Fines
Failing to call for a required inspection, or continuing work past a stage without the inspector's approval, is deemed a violation of the building codes and development requirements (§ 1-8.5-36(b)). Occupying a building before its certificate of compliance issues is a misdemeanor under G.S. § 153A-363 (§ 1-8.5-36(c)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cover my framing before it's inspected?
Can I move into my new house before final inspection?
How many separate inspections does a new home need in Brunswick County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brunswick County
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