Building Safety in Winston-Salem, NC (2026)
5 verified building safety rules for Winston-Salem, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Winston-Salem homes built before 1978 are subject to the federal Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule. Contractors disturbing paint in pre-1978 homes must be EPA RRP certified. NC Health and Human Services runs a lead poisoning prevention program under NCGS 130A-131.5.
Building Safety: Lead Paint
Some RestrictionsEPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule
In 1978, the federal government banned the sale of lead-based paint for use in homes, childcare facilities and preschools. Approximately three-quarters of the homes in the United States built before 1978 still contain some lead-based paint. [...] EPA's RRP Rule requires that anyone paid to perform work that disturbs painted surfaces in homes, childcare facilities and preschools built before 197...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Existing occupied dwelling units with a fossil-fuel heater, appliance, fireplace, or attached garage must have at least one operable, UL-listed carbon monoxide alarm per level under the city's minimum housing code.
Winston-Salem Carbon Monoxide Alarm Rule
Some RestrictionsWinston-Salem Code of Ordinances § 10-197(m)(1)
By December 1, 2018, each existing occupied dwelling unit shall have at least one operable carbon monoxide alarm per level, either battery-operated or electrical, that is listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory that is OSHA-approved to test and certify to American National Standards Institute/Underwriters Laboratories Standards ANSI/UL2034 or ANSI/UL2075, installed and maintained i...
Building Permits
Winston-Salem requires an inspections division permit for deck and patio construction unless the total job cost is $5,000 or less and the work avoids load-bearing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or roofing changes.
Winston-Salem Deck & Patio Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsWinston-Salem Code of Ordinances § 10-2(a)
No person shall commence or proceed with: (1)The construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, movement to another site, removal or demolition of any building or structure...without first securing from the inspections division any and all permits required by the state building code...No permit...shall be required for any construction, installation, repair, replacement or alteration costing ...
Electrical Permits
Winston-Salem requires a permit and electrical-inspector approval before any wiring, device, or equipment installation or alteration, with only licensed electrical contractors normally eligible to obtain one.
Winston-Salem Electrical Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsWinston-Salem Code of Ordinances § 10-242(b)
Permit required; exceptions. No electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment shall be installed within or on any building, structure or premises, nor shall any alteration or addition be made in any such existing wiring, devices, appliances or equipment, without securing a permit therefor and having an inspection thereof made by the electrical inspector, except as stated in subsections (b...
Plumbing Permits
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).
Winston-Salem Plumbing Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsWinston-Salem 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 ...
Looking for Forsyth County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Winston-Salem city rules.
Building Safety in Forsyth County →