Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem, NC Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Permit required
Before any plumbing installation or repair
Issuing office
City inspections division
Minimum permit fee
$75.00 (§ 10-163(a)(2)f)
Contractor bond
$2,500.00 (§ 10-164)
Sign-off
Certificate of compliance after final inspection

Summary

Any installation, extension, or general repair of a plumbing system in Winston-Salem requires a permit from the city's inspections division before work begins, under Code of Ordinances § 10-2(a).

No person shall commence or proceed with: ... (2) The installation, extension or general repair of any plumbing system; ... without first securing from the inspections division any and all permits required by the state building code and any other state or local laws applicable to the work. A permit shall be in writing and shall contain a provision that the work done shall comply with the state building code and all other applicable state and local laws.

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 102 | Personnel: Supplement 96 | Water and Sewer: Supplement 56 | Solid Waste: Supplement 15).

Full Breakdown

Winston-Salem enforces plumbing permits through Code of Ordinances § 10-2(a), which bars anyone from installing, extending, or generally repairing a plumbing system without first securing a permit from the inspections division under the North Carolina State Building Code, adopted locally at § 10-1. Permits must be in writing, work must comply with the state code, and a licensed specialty contractor must do the work wherever state law requires one. A residential exemption for jobs costing $5,000 or less does not cover any addition or change in the design of plumbing, so those jobs still need a permit and inspection.

Violations & Fines

Unpermitted plumbing work is a class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, subjecting the offender to a fine of not more than $500.00 for each violation of § 10-2(a).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a small plumbing job still need a permit in Winston-Salem?
Yes. The $5,000-or-less residential exemption in § 10-2(a) excludes any addition or design change to plumbing, so a permit is still required.
What happens if I do plumbing work without a permit?
It's a class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, with a fine up to $500.00, per § 10-2(a).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Winston-Salem

Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsBuilding PermitsSome RestrictionsElectrical PermitsSome RestrictionsCarbon Monoxide DetectorsSome RestrictionsLead PaintSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome Restrictions

All Winston-Salem rules

Compare Winston-Salem to another location·View the North Carolina building safety overview

Get notified when Plumbing Permits in Winston-Salem, NC changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.