Building Safety in Forsyth County, NC (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Forsyth County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Forsyth County requires carbon monoxide detectors in every home with an attached garage or fossil-fuel heat, plus smoke detectors on each floor level outside every sleeping area and in the kitchen, under section 7-116(b) of the minimum housing standards article. The county's housing administrator enforces the rule as part of a habitability inspection.
Carbon Monoxide Detector Rule in Forsyth County
Some RestrictionsForsyth County Code § 7-116
(a)Habitable rooms. Every habitable room shall have at least one (1) window or skylight which can easily be opened, or such other device, such as air conditioning, as will adequately ventilate the room, unless otherwise approved by the housing administrator. Windows that can be opened must have operable screens in homes without central heating and cooling systems. Window frames and glass shall ...
Building Permits
In unincorporated Forsyth County, it's unlawful to build, alter, or demolish a building, or to install, extend, or repair plumbing, HVAC, or electrical work, without first getting a permit from the joint Winston-Salem/Forsyth County inspections division. The county's own exemption for minor single-family or farm-building work tops out at $15,000, well below the state's newer $40,000 floor.
When a Building Permit Is Required in Forsyth County
Some RestrictionsForsyth County Code § 7-9(j), (kk)
(j) It shall be unlawful for any person to commence or proceed with the construction, alteration, repair, or movement to another site, removal or demolition of any building; install, extend, or repair any plumbing system; install, extend, or repair any heating or cooling equipment; or install, extend, alter, or repair any electrical wiring, devices, appliances, or equipment without first securi...
Electrical Permits
Unincorporated Forsyth County enforces electrical work through the North Carolina State Building Codes and National Electrical Code adopted in section 7-2, with the City of Winston-Salem's own electrical inspectors designated as county electrical inspectors under section 7-100 to collect fees, inspect wiring, and enforce the code.
Electrical Permit Rules in Forsyth County, NC
Some RestrictionsForsyth County Code §§ 7-2, 7-100
(Sec. 7-2) As is consistent with the North Carolina General Statutes, the North Carolina State Building Codes, and the National Electrical Code as adopted by the Building Code Council, as amended from time to time, shall constitute the building codes applicable in the county These adopted codes and amendments thereto shall constitute the building codes applicable to the areas of the county outs...
Plumbing Permits
Before any plumbing or drainage system in unincorporated Forsyth County can be built or altered under the plumbing code adopted in section 7-2, the applicant must pay the required inspection fee, and the work is permitted and inspected by City of Winston-Salem plumbing inspectors acting as county plumbing inspectors under an interlocal agreement.
Plumbing Permit Requirements in Forsyth County
Some RestrictionsForsyth County Code §§ 7-37, 7-38(a)
(Sec. 7-37) The plumbing inspectors of the City of Winston-Salem are hereby designated as county plumbing inspectors to perform inspection services, collect inspection fees and enforce the plumbing regulations referred to and provided for in this chapter... (Sec. 7-38(a)) Before a permit shall be granted for the construction or alteration of a plumbing or drainage system, as provided in the plu...
Building Safety by City in Forsyth County
1 cities in Forsyth County have their own building safety rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Forsyth County ordinances
See every category we cover for Forsyth County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Forsyth County Ordinance Hub →