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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Davidson County
County permits are required for code-regulated building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, modular, manufactured-home, demolition, pool, and related work in unincorporated county areas.
Minor work exempt under NC statute may not require a county permit
Like-kind plumbing or electrical replacement may be exempt in some cases
Cosmetic finish work may be exempt if it does not affect structure, fire safety, or service systems
- Exempt Minor work exempt under NC statute may not require a county permit
- Exempt Like-kind plumbing or electrical replacement may be exempt in some cases
- Exempt Cosmetic finish work may be exempt if it does not affect structure, fire safety, or service systems
Note: Floodplain, septic, zoning, or 911 addressing requirements may still apply.
Required documents
- Permit application
- Plans as required
- Valuation
- Contractor information
- Workers-compensation affidavit where applicable
- Supporting zoning, septic, floodplain, or utility documents
- Building code
- 2018 NC State Building Code suite with state amendments
- Permit validity
- County permits generally follow NC rules requiring work to begin within 6 months and not be suspended for more than 12 months.
- Owner-builder
- County forms ask whether the owner is acting as general contractor and include workers-compensation affidavit language; owners remain responsible for obtaining final inspections.
- Contractor requirements
- State licensing rules apply, including NC general contractor licensing at $40,000 and up and licensed trade contractors as required by state law.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm zoning, floodplain, subdivision, addressing, and septic or utility prerequisites with the county planning and related departments.
- 02 Create an OpenGov account or apply at the county counter.
- 03 Select the permit type in OpenGov and enter project information.
- 04 Upload plans and supporting attachments; the county provides separate OpenGov how-to guides for applying, uploading attachments, requesting inspections, and checking results.
- 05 Pay the permit fees when the county review is complete.
- 06 Receive the issued permit and request inspections through OpenGov.
- 07 Complete all finals before occupancy or final closeout.
Source: Davidson County Planning and Zoning; Davidson County Central Permitting ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Davidson County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Residential building permit fee is $70 up to $10,000 valuation; many county trade permits are subject to $40 minimums
02
Plan check fee
Commercial plan review is tiered from approximately $25 to $200 by construction cost
03
Permit fee formula
Residential building permits are $70 up to $10,000 plus $2.90 per $1,000 over $10,000; commercial permits are $40 plus $3 per $1,000 up to $500,000, then $2 per $1,000 over $500,000; trade permits use flat or formula-based charges
04
Reinspection fee
$100 for extra trips or reinspections
05
Penalty (no permit)
Floodplain development permit $50 each; work commencing without a permit is charged at double fee; county residential packet states failure to obtain final inspection or occupancy without TCO or CO results in a $100 penalty before TCO or CO is issued
County OpenGov supports online permitting
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Davidson County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Davidson County, NC? ▸
County permits are required for code-regulated building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, modular, manufactured-home, demolition, pool, and related work in unincorporated county areas.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Davidson County, NC? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Davidson County, NC are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Residential building permit fee is $70 up to $10,000 valuation; many county trade permits are subject to $40 minimums. Fees are calculated as: Residential building permits are $70 up to $10,000 plus $2.90 per $1,000 over $10,000; commercial permits are $40 plus $3 per $1,000 up to $500,000, then $2 per $1,000 over $500,000; trade permits use flat or formula-based charges. Plan check fee: Commercial plan review is tiered from approximately $25 to $200 by construction cost.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Davidson County, NC? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Davidson County, NC, follow these steps: 1. Confirm zoning, floodplain, subdivision, addressing, and septic or utility prerequisites with the county planning and related departments. 2. Create an OpenGov account or apply at the county counter. 3. Select the permit type in OpenGov and enter project information. 4. Upload plans and supporting attachments; the county provides separate OpenGov how-to guides for applying, uploading attachments, requesting inspections, and checking results. 5. Pay the permit fees when the county review is complete. 6. Receive the issued permit and request inspections through OpenGov. 7. Complete all finals before occupancy or final closeout.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Davidson County, NC? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Davidson County, NC. The following work is generally exempt: Minor work exempt under NC statute may not require a county permit; Like-kind plumbing or electrical replacement may be exempt in some cases; Cosmetic finish work may be exempt if it does not affect structure, fire safety, or service systems. Note: Floodplain, septic, zoning, or 911 addressing requirements may still apply. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Davidson County, NC? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Davidson County, NC via: OpenGov portal.
last verified April 2026
source Davidson County Planning and Zoning; Davidson County Central Permitting ↗
entry id permits/north-carolina/davidson/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Davidson County Planning and Zoning; Davidson County Central Permitting before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.