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Forsyth County, NC Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing clause
Forsyth County Code § 7-38(a)
Adopted code
NC plumbing code referenced in § 7-2
Inspectors
City of Winston-Salem plumbing inspectors
Minimum fee
$65.00 per permit
After-hours fee
$200 first 2 hrs, $100/hr after
Penalty
Class 1 misdemeanor, up to $500/30 days

Summary

Before any plumbing or drainage system in unincorporated Forsyth County can be built or altered under the plumbing code adopted in section 7-2, the applicant must pay the required inspection fee, and the work is permitted and inspected by City of Winston-Salem plumbing inspectors acting as county plumbing inspectors under an interlocal agreement.

City-specific rules exist: Winston-Salem has its own plumbing permits rules that differ from Forsyth County's county-level regulations. If you live in Winston-Salem, check the city-specific page instead.

(Sec. 7-37) The plumbing inspectors of the City of Winston-Salem are hereby designated as county plumbing inspectors to perform inspection services, collect inspection fees and enforce the plumbing regulations referred to and provided for in this chapter... (Sec. 7-38(a)) Before a permit shall be granted for the construction or alteration of a plumbing or drainage system, as provided in the plumbing code referred to in section 7-2, the applicant shall pay to the City of Winston-Salem an inspection fee in accordance with the following schedule...

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 68).

Full Breakdown

Section 7-38(a) of the Forsyth County Code ties every plumbing permit to the adopted plumbing code referenced in section 7-2: before a permit is granted for constructing or altering a plumbing or drainage system, the applicant pays an inspection fee to the City of Winston-Salem. Section 7-37 designates the city's own plumbing inspectors as county plumbing inspectors, so the same Planning and Development Services Department that handles Winston-Salem plumbing permits also collects fees and enforces plumbing regulations for the unincorporated county under an agreement between the county and the city, approved by both governing boards.

00 minimum fee on any permit regardless of scope. 00 for each additional hour, available only when the inspections director approves based on inspector availability; the county is never obligated to inspect outside normal business hours.

Violations & Fines

Plumbing work performed without the permit section 7-38(a) requires is subject to the chapter's general penalty at section 7-6: a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to $500.00 and 30 days in jail, plus the double-fee surcharge under section 7-5 once the inspection division discovers unpermitted work already completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who issues plumbing permits in unincorporated Forsyth County?
The City of Winston-Salem's own plumbing inspectors do. Section 7-37 designates them as county plumbing inspectors, so the same Planning and Development Services Department inspection division that permits Winston-Salem plumbing work also collects fees and enforces the plumbing code for the unincorporated county under an interlocal agreement between the city and the county.
How much does a Forsyth County plumbing permit cost?
Nonresidential and addition work is billed per fixture under section 7-38(a): $10.00 per plumbed fixture or appliance, $16.00 per 200 feet of sewer or drain line, $65.00 for a standalone water line, and $7.00 per gas outlet. Every permit carries at least a $65.00 minimum fee, and new residential construction is billed under the separate value-based schedule in section 7-18(b).
Can I get a plumbing inspection outside business hours?
Yes, but it costs extra. Section 7-39 charges $200.00 for the first two hours per inspector and $100.00 for each additional hour for a non-emergency after-hours inspection, and it only happens if the inspections director approves it based on whether an inspector is available.
What happens if I do plumbing work without a permit?
You're subject to the chapter's general penalty at section 7-6: a Class 1 misdemeanor with up to a $500.00 fine and 30 days in jail. Section 7-5 also adds a double fee on top of the standard permit charge once the unpermitted work is discovered.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Forsyth County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsBuilding PermitsSome RestrictionsCarbon Monoxide DetectorsSome RestrictionsElectrical PermitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Outdoor BurningHeavy RestrictionsFire Regulations: Brush ClearanceSome Restrictions

All Forsyth County rules

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Plumbing Permits in Cities Across Forsyth County

Winston-Salem, NC