Unincorporated Camden County

Permit required when work falls under the NC State Building Code and local permit rules; county pages specifically flag mechanical, plumbing, electrical, gas, demolition, additions, decks, porches, pools, signs, fill, and similar work types.

• Exempt A building permit is exempt on a qualifying bona fide farm unless electrical installation is performed.
• Exempt A building permit is exempt on a qualifying bona fide farm unless part of the building is used for sleeping quarters.
• Exempt A building permit is exempt on a qualifying bona fide farm unless the building is used for business rather than personal use of the farmer and immediate family.
• Exempt Fill is exempt for bona fide farm.
• Exempt Fill is exempt for single family residence gardening or planting landscaping materials.
• Exempt Fill is exempt for placement of underground utilities.
• Exempt Fill is exempt for filling or grading by an authorized agency during an emergency.
• Exempt Gravel, crushed concrete, and asphalt millings additions to property are treated as a courtesy application with no fee.

Note: The county pages do not present one consolidated exempt-work list; exemptions are distributed across permit forms and the fee schedule.

Building code

North Carolina State Building Code; county materials cite the 2018 North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies for enforcement, and OSFM states the 2018 NC Codes remain currently effective while the 2024 code implementation is delayed.

Permit validity

No permit is issued without payment, and no refund after issue was identified in the county research.

Owner-builder

For new single-family dwelling applications, Appendix F is used only if the owner is acting as general contractor and is unlicensed.

Contractor requirements

Trade affidavits are required for listed subcontractors, and the county notes permits should identify the subcontractors and their license information; the fill permit form states applications must be signed by the owner of record, contract purchaser, or another person with a recognized property interest.

1. 01
   Select the permit type from the county Building Permits and Inspections pages and download the linked fillable PDF application and any required supplemental forms.
2. 02
   Complete the permit application and required attachments, which may include site plans, building plans, septic approval, elevation certificate, trade affidavits, fill permit forms, or other permit-specific documents.
3. 03
   Submit the complete packet by email to permits@camdencountync.gov, or deliver or mail it to 133 US Hwy 158 W, Ste B, Camden, NC 27921.
4. 04
   County staff review the complete packet; the county states processing takes 10 to 15 days after the complete application packet is received.
5. 05
   If approved, permit fees are due at issuance; the county states all building permit fees must be paid in full at issuance and no permit is issued without payment.
6. 06
   Work may begin only after permit issuance and any required preconstruction conditions are met.

Typical processing time: 10 to 15 days after the complete application packet is received

Source: Planning and Building Department, Building and Inspections Department ↗

Building permit fees are due in full at issuance; the county states no permit is issued without payment and no refund after issue.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• 252-338-1919 ext. 235 (phone)
• permits@camdencountync.gov (email)

Scheduling deadline

All inspections must be scheduled by 3:00 PM the day prior.

Inspection hours

County posts a daily inspection schedule by 5:00 PM for the following day.

Time windows

Inspection times are blocked in 2 hour windows and are estimated only.

Typical sequence: Specific sequence requirements vary by permit type and inspection stage; the county performs inspections in the listed 2 hour windows.

Source: Planning and Building Department, Building and Inspections Department ↗