Before You Build in Winston-Salem, NC: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Winston-Salem requires a permit for fences over 6 feet, retaining walls over 4 feet, and any fence in a historic district. Standard wood fences up to 6 feet need no permit.

NC has no good-neighbor fence statute. Each Winston-Salem owner handles their own fence. Shared fences are by private agreement. Fences must sit on the owner's side of the property line.

Winston-Salem allows 4-foot front yard fences and 6-foot side/rear fences in residential zones. Fences over 6 feet need a building permit. Corner lots have extra visibility setbacks.

Residential pools deeper than 24 inches in Winston-Salem need a 48-inch fence with self-closing, self-latching gates. NC State Building Code governs pool barriers. All pools require permits.

Above-ground pools in Winston-Salem deeper than 24 inches require building permits and barrier protection. Pools with walls at least 48 inches high can use the pool wall as the barrier if the ladder is removable or secured when not in use.

Winston-Salem requires a building permit for any in-ground or permanent above-ground swimming pool deeper than 24 inches. Permits are issued by the Winston-Salem Inspections Division and require plan review, zoning check, and inspections at multiple stages of construction.

Hot tubs and spas deeper than 24 inches follow the same permit and barrier rules as pools unless equipped with a lockable safety cover meeting ASTM F1346. A cover that latches to the spa wall satisfies the barrier requirement.

Winston-Salem requires all swimming pools deeper than 24 inches to be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching with the latch release at least 54 inches above the ground. These rules follow the NC Residential Code Appendix V.

Winston-Salem pools must comply with federal VGB Act anti-entrapment drain cover requirements, NC electrical code for equipotential bonding, and barrier rules. Public pools are separately regulated by NC DHHS under NCGS 130A-280.

Winston-Salem allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in specific residential zoning districts under its Unified Development Ordinances. ADUs must meet size, setback, and owner-occupancy standards, and short-term rental use is separately regulated.

Converting a garage to living space in Winston-Salem requires building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits, and must meet the NC Residential Code for habitable space. Converted garages count toward ADU rules when used as a dwelling unit.

Carports in Winston-Salem require a building permit and must meet front, side, and rear setbacks set by the zoning district. Metal freestanding carports in front yards are restricted in most residential districts.

Sheds in Winston-Salem under 144 square feet and less than 12 feet tall are typically exempt from a building permit but still must meet zoning setbacks. Larger sheds require a building permit and may require a zoning clearance.

Tiny homes on a permanent foundation are treated as single-family dwellings in Winston-Salem and must meet the NC Residential Code plus zoning minimum lot and building standards. Tiny homes on wheels are treated as RVs and cannot be used as permanent residences in most residential districts.

Winston-Salem permits recreational fire pits under the NC Fire Code (Section 307) when fires are contained, attended, and set back at least 25 feet from structures. Portable gas and propane pits are allowed closer to buildings (15 feet) and are exempt from most open-burn restrictions.

Open burning inside Winston-Salem city limits is largely prohibited. NC Air Quality rules (15A NCAC 02D .1903) and the NC 4 PM burning rule also apply: even where permitted, fires may only be started between 6 PM and 8 AM, and no burning is allowed after 4 PM outside that window.

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County water service is provided by Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities (City-County Utilities). Year-round, customers are asked to follow conservation practices; during declared drought stages, mandatory watering-day and time restrictions apply.

Removing trees on private residential property in Winston-Salem generally does not require a permit, but city-owned street trees, trees in protected buffers (UDO zoning districts), and trees on development sites require review. Replacement or mitigation may be required.

Winston-Salem residents may trim branches of neighbor or city trees that cross their property line, but only to the property line and without harming tree health. Trimming city-owned street trees in the right-of-way requires coordination with the Vegetation Management Division.