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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Caswell County
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.
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
- 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.
- Exempt Ordinary repairs
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.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Review zoning, floodplain, watershed, septic, and other development constraints before applying.
- 02 Prepare plans. The county brochure says two complete sets of building plans are required for plan review.
- 03 Complete the online permit application or paper application.
- 04 Upload required attachments. For building permits, the county instructions require plans and the Affidavit of Worker's Compensation Coverage.
- 05 County staff reviews the application and determines permit fees.
- 06 County emails a pending permit showing fees due.
- 07 Pay the fees. The online instructions say Caswell County currently accepts cash or checks only.
- 08 Permit is issued after review and payment.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Caswell County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$60.00 minimum inspection fee
02
Plan check fee
Residential plan review $50.00; nonresidential plan review $100.00
03
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.
04
Trade permit fee
$60.00 per trip for building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing
05
Reinspection fee
$60.00
06
Penalty (no permit)
Working without permits = double permit fee; expired/permit renewal = permit fee; not ready for inspection = $60.00
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 sequence: Typical inspections listed in the brochure include temporary power pole, footing, under-slab, foundation/crawl space, rough-in, framing, insulation, and final inspection.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Caswell County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Caswell County, NC? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Caswell County, NC are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Caswell County, NC? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Caswell County, NC, follow these steps: 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.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Caswell County, NC? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Caswell County, NC? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Caswell County, NC via: County portal search feature, Caswell County Building Inspections.
last verified April 2026
source Caswell County Building Inspections ↗
entry id permits/north-carolina/caswell/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Caswell County Building Inspections before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.