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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for High Point (Davidson County Portion)
High Point provides plan review and inspection services for new and existing buildings and systems under the NC building codes and the local Development Ordinance.
Limited minor work that may be exempt if it falls under NC statutory permit exemptions
Like-kind trade replacements and finish work when no structural, safety, or capacity trigger applies
- Exempt Limited minor work that may be exempt if it falls under NC statutory permit exemptions
- Exempt Like-kind trade replacements and finish work when no structural, safety, or capacity trigger applies
Note: Local zoning or site-compliance review may still be required even when a state building permit is exempt.
Required documents
- Permit application
- Plans
- Valuation
- Contractor information
- Required zoning or site-development approvals
- Building code
- 2018 NC State Building Code suite with state amendments
- Permit validity
- Permits and submittals are treated as abandoned under the Development Ordinance; where no specific abandonment time applies, submittals may be considered abandoned after 6 months if approval is not obtained or after 60 days for non-payment.
- Owner-builder
- High Point charges a code-compliance inspection for projects done by unlicensed contractors, including owners, and separately posts the mandatory NC Homeowner Recovery Fee when a single-family permit is issued to a licensed general contractor.
- Contractor requirements
- State licensing rules apply, including NC general contractor licensing at $40,000 and up and licensed trade contractors where required by state law.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Start at BuildHighPoint to identify all required city approvals and the correct development path.
- 02 Create an Accela Citizen Access account or coordinate with Inspections Services at the counter.
- 03 Submit the permit application and required plans through ACA, including valuation and any associated zoning or site approvals.
- 04 Complete any required plan review and resubmittals.
- 05 Pay application, permit, inspection, and certificate fees as applicable.
- 06 Receive the permit release and proceed with scheduled inspections.
- 07 Complete finals and obtain TCO or CO as required.
§ 04
Fee schedule
High Point (Davidson County Portion) building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Residential construction minimum fee $100; commercial construction minimum fee $100 per trade for unlisted items; many residential over-the-counter trade permits are $75
02
Plan check fee
Residential plan review $100 for attached housing; commercial plan review $100 plus permit-update charges where applicable
03
Permit fee formula
Residential and commercial construction permits use ICC Building Valuation Data area-based formulas; many over-the-counter permits are flat per trade
04
Reinspection fee
Residential reinspection $50; commercial reinspection is separately posted
05
Penalty (no permit)
Work without a permit doubles the permit fee; after-hours inspection is billed hourly
City fee standards state application and plan-review fees are due with submittal, permit fees at issuance, and inspection fees before plan approval or certificate as applicable
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Accela Citizen Access (online)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: Trade and building inspections per permit type, commonly footing, foundation, rough-ins, framing, insulation, finals, and occupancy approvals
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about High Point (Davidson County Portion) permits
01 Do I need a building permit in High Point (Davidson County Portion), NC? ▸
High Point provides plan review and inspection services for new and existing buildings and systems under the NC building codes and the local Development Ordinance.
02 How much does a building permit cost in High Point (Davidson County Portion), NC? ▸
Building permit fees in High Point (Davidson County Portion), NC are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Residential construction minimum fee $100; commercial construction minimum fee $100 per trade for unlisted items; many residential over-the-counter trade permits are $75. Fees are calculated as: Residential and commercial construction permits use ICC Building Valuation Data area-based formulas; many over-the-counter permits are flat per trade. Plan check fee: Residential plan review $100 for attached housing; commercial plan review $100 plus permit-update charges where applicable.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in High Point (Davidson County Portion), NC? ▸
To apply for a building permit in High Point (Davidson County Portion), NC, follow these steps: 1. Start at BuildHighPoint to identify all required city approvals and the correct development path. 2. Create an Accela Citizen Access account or coordinate with Inspections Services at the counter. 3. Submit the permit application and required plans through ACA, including valuation and any associated zoning or site approvals. 4. Complete any required plan review and resubmittals. 5. Pay application, permit, inspection, and certificate fees as applicable. 6. Receive the permit release and proceed with scheduled inspections. 7. Complete finals and obtain TCO or CO as required.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in High Point (Davidson County Portion), NC? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in High Point (Davidson County Portion), NC. The following work is generally exempt: Limited minor work that may be exempt if it falls under NC statutory permit exemptions; Like-kind trade replacements and finish work when no structural, safety, or capacity trigger applies. Note: Local zoning or site-compliance review may still be required even when a state building permit is exempt. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in High Point (Davidson County Portion), NC? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in High Point (Davidson County Portion), NC via: Accela Citizen Access.
last verified April 2026
source City of High Point Inspections Services ↗
entry id permits/north-carolina/davidson/high-point-davidson
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of High Point Inspections Services before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.