Building Safety in Brunswick County, NC (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Brunswick County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
In unincorporated Brunswick County, North Carolina, the Minimum Housing Code requires any interior surface or any exterior surface within reach of children under seven that carries loose, cracking, scaling, peeling, chipping or flaking lead-based paint to be stripped and repainted with two coats of nonleaded paint, or covered with wallboard or similar material, before a dwelling meets minimum housing standards.
Brunswick County Lead-Based Paint Repair Standard
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-4-110(5)
All interior surfaces and all exterior surfaces accessible to children under the age of seven (7) years covered with lead-based paint that is loose, cracking, scaling, peeling, chipping or flaking shall be treated or covered as follows: a. Surfaces to be treated must be thoroughly washed, sanded, and scraped or wire brushed so as to remove all loose, cracking, scaling, peeling, chipping, and fl...
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Brunswick County, North Carolina's fire prevention code does not require automatic sprinkler systems in one- or two-family homes. The county's own ordinance says the code applies to commercial and multifamily buildings, not single- and two-family residences.
Brunswick County, NC Fire Sprinkler Exemption
Few RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-4-6(d)
Like previous fire prevention codes, the new 2002 fire prevention code does not apply to one or two family dwellings, agricultural operations that do not involve the health and safety of the public, public utilities, and electric or telephone membership corporations. All other commercial occupancies and multifamily dwellings are under the jurisdiction of this code.
Childcare Center Rules
Brunswick County's Unified Development Ordinance sets zoning standards for day care facilities in the unincorporated county, not inside Leland, Southport, Oak Island, Shallotte or the county's other towns. Facilities need Section 5.2 use-table approval, care may run no more than 24 hours, and 24-hour operation is confined to the C-LD and N-C commercial districts under UDO Section 5.3.4.C.
Brunswick County Day Care Facility Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Unified Development Ordinance § 5.3.4.C
Day care facilities shall be permitted in accordance with the use table in Section 5.2, subject to the following: 1.General i.The facility shall meet all applicable State requirements for standards, licensing and inspections. ii.Day care facilities shall provide for safe and convenient access by patrons of the facility. iii.Care shall be administered for a period not to exceed 24 hours. iv.24-h...
Building Permits
In unincorporated Brunswick County, no one may start building, altering, moving or removing a structure, or make electrical, plumbing, heating, sign or septic changes, without first getting the applicable permit from the county's central permit office under Code § 1-8.5-35(a). Projects over $45,000 need a licensed general contractor.
Brunswick County NC Building Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-8.5-35(a)
Sec. 1-8.5-35. Enforcement procedures. (a)Permits required. No person shall commence or proceed with:(1)The construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, movement to another site, or removal of any building or structure;(2)The installation, extension, or general repair of any plumbing system;(3)The installation, extension, alteration, or general repair of any heating or cooling equipment sy...
Electrical Permits
Brunswick County adopts the National Electrical Code by reference for all electrical work in the unincorporated county (Code § 1-8.5-33(b)), and § 1-8.5-35(a)(4) makes an electrical permit mandatory before installing, extending, altering or repairing any wiring, device, appliance or equipment.
Brunswick County NC Electrical Permit and NEC
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Code §§ 1-8.5-33(b), 1-8.5-35(a)(4)
Sec. 1-8.5-33(b). State building codes/development regulations adopted by reference. All the provisions and appropriate volumes of the North Carolina State Building Code, General Construction, Standard Building Code; National Electrical Code; North Carolina Heating, Plumbing, Mechanical Codes, and appropriate State-required Fire Prevention Codes are hereby adopted and referenced, and made appli...
Plumbing Permits
Brunswick County requires a plumbing permit before any installation, extension or repair of a plumbing system in the unincorporated county, and adopts North Carolina's state plumbing code by reference to govern the work (Code §§ 1-8.5-35(a)(2), 1-8.5-33(b)).
Brunswick County NC Plumbing Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Code §§ 1-8.5-33(b), 1-8.5-35(a)(2)
Sec. 1-8.5-33(b). State building codes/development regulations adopted by reference. ... National Electrical Code; North Carolina Heating, Plumbing, Mechanical Codes, and appropriate State-required Fire Prevention Codes are hereby adopted and referenced, and made applicable to the jurisdiction of Brunswick County as if they were set out in full herein. ... Sec. 1-8.5-35(a)(2). The installation,...
Building Inspections
Brunswick County's Building Inspections Department requires a call-in inspection at nine defined stages of construction, from footings and framing through electrical, plumbing and a final inspection, before work can continue past each stage (Code § 1-8.5-36(a)).
Brunswick County NC Building Inspection Stages
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Code § 1-8.5-36(a)
Sec. 1-8.5-36. Inspection procedures. (a)Inspections. The Brunswick County Building Inspections Department, under the supervision of the building codes administrator, shall inspect all buildings and structures and work therein for which a permit of any kind has been issued as often as necessary in order to determine whether the work complies with the appropriate codes. All holders of permits or...
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