Wake County, NC Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- Plumbing install, replace, relocate
- Issuing office
- Wake County Division
- Citation
- County Code § 150.039(B)
- Penalty
- Per § 150.999
Summary
Wake County requires a permit before installing, replacing or relocating plumbing utilities or equipment in unincorporated areas.
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
Under County Code § 150.039(B), no person may install, replace or relocate any electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating or cooling utility, material, appliance or equipment without first obtaining a permit from the Division for the specific work to be performed. This applies countywide in the unincorporated area and covers plumbing work alongside the other building trades. Violators are subject to the penalty set out in § 150.999.
Violations & Fines
Working without a permit is a code violation subject to the penalty provisions of § 150.999.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to replace plumbing in unincorporated Wake County?
Does this apply inside Raleigh or Cary?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wake County
Compare Wake County to another location·View the North Carolina building safety overview
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