Granville County, NC Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Written permit from plumbing inspector
- Code adopted
- NC Plumbing Code (State Building Code Vol. II)
- Repair exemption
- Minor house-side trap repairs only
- Permit expiration
- 6 months if work not started
- Septic requirement
- Health dept approval if no city sewer
- Enforcing agency
- Granville County Inspection Department
Summary
Granville County requires a written permit from the plumbing inspector before any installation, extension, or general repair of a plumbing system in the unincorporated area. The county adopts the North Carolina Plumbing Code by reference as its governing standard. Minor house-side trap repairs that don't disrupt water supply or waste lines are exempt, and properties without city sewer service need county health department septic approval first.
Sec. 14-3. - Plumbing code adopted. The current edition of the North Carolina Plumbing Code (North Carolina State Building Code, volume II, "Plumbing") as adopted and published by the North Carolina Building Code Council and as amended is adopted by reference as fully as though set forth in this section as the plumbing code for the county. ... ... Sec. 14-49. - Permits required. ... (b)Plumbing permit. No person shall commence or proceed with the installation, extension or general repair of any plumbing system without a written permit from the plumbing inspector; however, no permit shall be required for minor repairs or replacements on the house side of a trap to an installed system of plumbing if such repairs or replacements do not disrupt the original water supply or the waste or ventilating systems. Local board of health approval of property for a septic tank is required where the sewer system cannot be connected to a city sewer.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 14-3 adopts the current edition of the North Carolina Plumbing Code (North Carolina State Building Code, volume II) by reference as the plumbing code for the county. Sec. 14-49(b) then requires a written permit from the plumbing inspector before anyone commences installation, extension, or general repair of a plumbing system; the only exemption covers minor repairs or replacements on the house side of a trap that don't disrupt the original water supply, waste, or ventilating systems. Where a property's sewer system can't connect to a city sewer, the local board of health must first approve the lot for a septic tank.
Applications go through the county inspection department on its own forms per Sec. 14-50, listing the owner's name and address, any authorized agent, and the contractor's name along with proof of state licensing. Plumbing contractors doing business in the county must register with the inspection department under Sec. 14-47 and post a bond under Sec. 14-48 to cover faithful performance and any damage from negligent work. Once issued, a permit expires six months after issuance if work hasn't started, or immediately if work is discontinued for twelve months, per Sec.
14-55. Fees are set by the county's fee manual on file with the county clerk and based on the estimated cost of the work, per Sec. 14-57.
Violations & Fines
Failing to obtain a required plumbing permit, or working under an expired one, violates chapter 14 and subjects the offender to the Code's general penalty under Sec. 1-6: a civil citation directing the violator to appear before the county finance officer within 15 days or pay by mail, with new citations issued for each day the violation continues. Willful failure to pay an imposed civil penalty is itself a misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, punishable by a fine of $500.00 or 30 days in jail, or both. The inspection department can also revoke a permit under Sec. 14-54 for false statements, material departure from approved plans, or noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in unincorporated Granville County?
What if my unincorporated property isn't on city sewer?
How long does a Granville County plumbing permit stay valid?
Does a plumbing contractor need to register with the county?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Granville County
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