County Building Permits
Brunswick County, NC - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Brunswick County, North Carolina. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Brunswick County unincorporated area and county-routed building inspection functions for municipalities where the county is the inspection authority.
- Department
- Brunswick County Code Administration
- Address
- 75 Courthouse Drive, Building I, Bolivia, NC 28422
- Phone
- 910-253-2021
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Brunswick County Permit Portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm the property is in Brunswick County and identify whether county or municipal inspection authority applies.
- Create or log into the Brunswick County permit portal.
- Submit the permit application, plans, and supporting information through the portal or county forms.
- Respond to review comments and provide any requested corrections or approvals.
- Pay required fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work.
- Schedule and complete inspections through the portal.
General Requirements
Required for work regulated by the county building program and applicable municipal inspection authorities.
- Building code
- North Carolina State Building Code family with North Carolina amendments
- Contractor requirements
- North Carolina licensing rules apply; a licensed general contractor is generally required for projects of $40,000 or more.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $100 building minimum
- Permit fee formula
- New residential construction is Sq. Ft. x ICC Chart Value x .004. Remodel or renovation is Gross Sq. Ft. x $60 per Sq. Ft. x .0045. Commercial formulas vary by occupancy and size.
- Reinspection fee
- Re-inspection fee $75 for residential; failed final inspections $100 first offense; expired permit re-activation is $100.
- Penalty (no permit)
- Working without a permit is 2x permit fee, $200 minimum; occupying a structure before CO is $100/day.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Nonstructural work under $40,000 in a single-family residence
- Farm buildings outside the jurisdiction or municipality
- Residential accessory buildings where no dimension exceeds 12 feet
- Replacement of windows, doors, and exterior siding in residential structures
- Replacement of pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking of residential porches and exterior decks
Important: Confirm edge cases with Brunswick County Code Administration before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Brunswick County Permit Portal (online)
- Scheduling deadline
- Inspection cancellations must be made in the portal by 2 pm the previous business day.
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: footing, under slab, monolithic slab, foundation, floodplain under construction, rough-in, framing, and final inspections.
Additional Resources
- Building code: North Carolina State Building Code family with North Carolina amendments
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Owner-builder rules: View rules
- Permits Overview
- Plans and Inspection Information
- Homeowner Resources
- License lookup guide: North Carolina Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: North Carolina Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- North Carolina hub: North Carolina Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Brunswick County Code Administration before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brunswick County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Brunswick County, NC?
- Required for work regulated by the county building program and applicable municipal inspection authorities.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Brunswick County, NC?
- The minimum permit fee is $100 building minimum. Fees are calculated as: New residential construction is Sq. Ft. x ICC Chart Value x .004. Remodel or renovation is Gross Sq. Ft. x $60 per Sq. Ft. x .0045. Commercial formulas vary by occupancy and size..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Brunswick County, NC?
- 1. Confirm the property is in Brunswick County and identify whether county or municipal inspection authority applies. 2. Create or log into the Brunswick County permit portal. 3. Submit the permit application, plans, and supporting information through the portal or county forms. 4. Respond to review comments and provide any requested corrections or approvals. 5. Pay required fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work. 6. Schedule and complete inspections through the portal.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Brunswick County, NC?
- The following work is generally exempt: Nonstructural work under $40,000 in a single-family residence; Farm buildings outside the jurisdiction or municipality; Residential accessory buildings where no dimension exceeds 12 feet; Replacement of windows, doors, and exterior siding in residential structures; Replacement of pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking of residential porches and exterior decks. Note: Confirm edge cases with Brunswick County Code Administration before proceeding.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Brunswick County, NC?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Brunswick County Permit Portal. Inspection cancellations must be made in the portal by 2 pm the previous business day..
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