Caswell County, NC - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Caswell County. The department also serves county residents and contractors countywide for building permits and inspections.

Department

Caswell County Building Inspections

Address

215 County Park Road, Yanceyville, NC 27379

Phone

(336) 694-9731 ext. 6203

Website

https://www.caswellcountync.gov/department-directory

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Review zoning, floodplain, watershed, septic, and other development constraints before applying.
2. Prepare plans. The county brochure says two complete sets of building plans are required for plan review.
3. Complete the online permit application or paper application.
4. Upload required attachments. For building permits, the county instructions require plans and the Affidavit of Worker's Compensation Coverage.
5. County staff reviews the application and determines permit fees.
6. County emails a pending permit showing fees due.
7. Pay the fees. The online instructions say Caswell County currently accepts cash or checks only.
8. Permit is issued after review and payment.

Source: Caswell County Building Inspections

General Requirements

A building permit is required before beginning construction, alteration, or repairs other than ordinary repairs. Permits are not required for work costing less than $5,000 unless the work affects load-bearing structures, plumbing design changes, HVAC design changes, electrical design changes, use of materials not permitted by the NC Building Code, or roofing beyond like-grade replacement.

Required Documents

• Two complete sets of building plans for plan review
• Completed online or paper permit application
• Affidavit of Worker's Compensation Coverage for online building permit submission

Building code

NC Building Code

Contractor requirements

Contractor information can be searched in the system and additional contractors can be entered if not found. North Carolina contractor licensing still applies for projects requiring licensure.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$60.00 minimum inspection fee

Plan check fee

Residential plan review $50.00; nonresidential plan review $100.00

Permit fee formula

Nonresidential permits over $1,000 use tiered flat fees, and over $1,000,001 add $3.25 per $1,000 over $1M. Electrical 480V systems over 400 amps use 0.0005 x amps x volts + $300.00.

Trade permit fee

$60.00 per trip for building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing

Reinspection fee

$60.00

Penalty (no permit)

Working without permits = double permit fee; expired/permit renewal = permit fee; not ready for inspection = $60.00

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Work costing less than $5,000, unless it involves load-bearing structures, plumbing design changes, HVAC design changes, electrical design changes, prohibited materials, or roofing beyond like-grade replacement.
• Ordinary repairs

Inspections

How to Schedule

• County portal search feature (online)
• Caswell County Building Inspections (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Building inspector office hours are 8:00 am to 9:00 am and no new permits are issued after 4:30 pm.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical inspections listed in the brochure include temporary power pole, footing, under-slab, foundation/crawl space, rough-in, framing, insulation, and final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: NC Building Code
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• County document center
• Residential building permits brochure
• County fee schedule
• License lookup guide: North Carolina Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: North Carolina Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• North Carolina hub: North Carolina Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Caswell County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Caswell County, NC?

A building permit is required before beginning construction, alteration, or repairs other than ordinary repairs. Permits are not required for work costing less than $5,000 unless the work affects load-bearing structures, plumbing design changes, HVAC design changes, electrical design changes, use of materials not permitted by the NC Building Code, or roofing beyond like-grade replacement.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Caswell County, NC?

The minimum permit fee is $60.00 minimum inspection fee. Fees are calculated as: Nonresidential permits over $1,000 use tiered flat fees, and over $1,000,001 add $3.25 per $1,000 over $1M. Electrical 480V systems over 400 amps use 0.0005 x amps x volts + $300.00.. Plan check fee: Residential plan review $50.00; nonresidential plan review $100.00.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Caswell County, NC?

1. Review zoning, floodplain, watershed, septic, and other development constraints before applying. 2. Prepare plans. The county brochure says two complete sets of building plans are required for plan review. 3. Complete the online permit application or paper application. 4. Upload required attachments. For building permits, the county instructions require plans and the Affidavit of Worker's Compensation Coverage. 5. County staff reviews the application and determines permit fees. 6. County emails a pending permit showing fees due. 7. Pay the fees. The online instructions say Caswell County currently accepts cash or checks only. 8. Permit is issued after review and payment.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Caswell County, NC?

The following work is generally exempt: Work costing less than $5,000, unless it involves load-bearing structures, plumbing design changes, HVAC design changes, electrical design changes, prohibited materials, or roofing beyond like-grade replacement.; Ordinary repairs.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Caswell County, NC?

Inspections can be scheduled via: County portal search feature, Caswell County Building Inspections.