City Building Permits
Town of Southern Shores, NC - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Town of Southern Shores, North Carolina. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Town of Southern Shores
- Department
- Planning and Code Enforcement / Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator
- Address
- Town Hall, Southern Shores, NC 27949
- Phone
- 252-261-2394 ext. 3
Application Process
- Ensure permit required items are prepared before building, moving, adding to, or structurally altering structures.
- For one- and two-family dwellings, provide duplicate site and/or building plans drawn to scale and required owner, lot, flood, setback and related information.
- Trade-only work within or attached to an existing structure is limited to electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical, or fire protection for permit review purposes.
- Determine whether site plan approval is required for the proposed non-residential use before permit issuance.
- Submit through the town’s permit process and obtain approvals before work starts.
Source: Planning and Code Enforcement / Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator
General Requirements
Permits are required for erection, movement, additions, or structural alterations.
Required Documents
- Duplicate site and/or building plans drawn to scale
- Owner, lot, flood zone, and setback documentation
- Permit validity
- Site plan approval and permits may expire if not issued or commenced within ordinance time limits.
- Building code
- Local zoning/building ordinance and NC State Building Code
- Contractor requirements
- NC state law applies.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Planning and Code Enforcement / Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 252-261-2394 ext. 3 (phone)
- dshelton@southernshores-nc.gov (email)
Typical inspection sequence: Apply, obtain zoning/building permits, then schedule and complete inspections.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Local zoning/building ordinance and NC State Building Code
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Southern Shores website
- 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 Planning and Code Enforcement / Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Town of Southern Shores Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Town of Southern Shores, NC?
- Permits are required for erection, movement, additions, or structural alterations.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Southern Shores, NC?
- 1. Ensure permit required items are prepared before building, moving, adding to, or structurally altering structures. 2. For one- and two-family dwellings, provide duplicate site and/or building plans drawn to scale and required owner, lot, flood, setback and related information. 3. Trade-only work within or attached to an existing structure is limited to electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical, or fire protection for permit review purposes. 4. Determine whether site plan approval is required for the proposed non-residential use before permit issuance. 5. Submit through the town’s permit process and obtain approvals before work starts.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Southern Shores, NC?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 252-261-2394 ext. 3, dshelton@southernshores-nc.gov.
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