On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Durham
Durham requires permits for construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, relocation, removal, or demolition of buildings and for regulated plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work, subject to North Carolina statutory exemptions.
Construction costing $40,000 or less in a single-family residence, farm building, or commercial building
Replacement of windows, doors, exterior siding when exemption criteria are met
Replacement of pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking of porches and exterior decks when exemption criteria are met
Like-kind plumbing replacements with no size or capacity change
Like-kind electrical device and lighting fixture replacements in one- and two-family dwellings when performed by properly licensed contractors
Certain water heater replacements when performed by properly licensed contractors and statutory conditions are met
- Exempt Construction costing $40,000 or less in a single-family residence, farm building, or commercial building
- Exempt Replacement of windows, doors, exterior siding when exemption criteria are met
- Exempt Replacement of pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking of porches and exterior decks when exemption criteria are met
- Exempt Like-kind plumbing replacements with no size or capacity change
- Exempt Like-kind electrical device and lighting fixture replacements in one- and two-family dwellings when performed by properly licensed contractors
- Exempt Certain water heater replacements when performed by properly licensed contractors and statutory conditions are met
Note: The $40,000 exemption does not apply when work involves addition or replacement of load-bearing structures, addition or change in plumbing design, addition or replacement or change in design of HVAC or electrical wiring/devices/equipment, use of non-code materials, addition of roofing (roof replacement excluded), or changes regulated by NC Fire Code. Confirm edge cases with Permit Technicians.
Required documents
- Completed signed building permit application
- Matching residential or commercial checklist
- Construction plans signed and dated per NC Admin Code 204.3
- Sealed surveyor plot plan or approved site plan documentation
- Lien agent information for projects costing $40,000 or more
- Worker's compensation affidavit or active certificate of insurance for projects costing $40,000 or more
- Durham Appendix B building code summary for commercial work
- Separate trade plan PDFs for commercial projects
- Signed contract, letter of intent, or notice to proceed for commercial projects before issuance
- Building code
- 2018 North Carolina State Building Code and related technical codes with North Carolina amendments
- Permit validity
- Applications not completed to issued status within 6 months expire. Plan review fees are not refunded when applications are voided after 6 months with no activity.
- Owner-builder
- Durham publishes Owner Contractor License Exemption Affidavit and Homeowner Acting As Their Own Contractor for Trade Permits forms. Homeowner trade permits require primary residence, deed ownership, personal performance of work, and no rent, lease, or sale within 1 year of completion.
- Contractor requirements
- Valid North Carolina general contractor license required for projects costing $40,000 or more unless a notarized owner exemption affidavit is provided. NC specialty licensing required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: State law requires initial residential plan review within 15 business days. Durham reviews applications in order received. No general posted turnaround for building permit issuance on city website.
- 01 Confirm zoning, historic, floodplain, airport overlay, and other parcel constraints with Planning and Development before submitting.
- 02 Prepare the permit package: signed building permit application, matching residential or commercial checklist, plans, and required plot plan or site plan documentation.
- 03 Submit building permit applications through Dplans.
- 04 Submit trade permits through the Land Development Office portal.
- 05 Receive email with invoice for application and review fees; pay online through LDO.
- 06 Respond to review comments and resubmit revised documents if needed.
- 07 Monitor status in LDO until permit status is issued.
- 08 After issuance, schedule inspections through LDO and complete required inspection sequence.
Typical processing time: State law requires initial residential plan review within 15 business days. Durham reviews applications in order received. No general posted turnaround for building permit issuance on city website.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Durham building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$100-$150
02
Plan check fee
Plan review fee is subtracted from the building permit fee at issuance. Examples: $146.00 plan review for new one- and two-family dwellings; commercial plan review by valuation tier.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed schedule: New one- and two-family dwellings charged by square-foot bracket; commercial building permits valuation-based by schedule tier; many trade permits flat-fee or unit-count based. Example: new residential dwellings up to 1,200 sq ft at $146.00 permit fee plus $146.00 plan review fee.
04
Trade permit fee
$65.00 minimum electrical; many basic mechanical or plumbing items at $65.00; residential minimum $100.00; commercial minimum $150.00 for permits requiring rough-in inspection
05
Reinspection fee
Electrical: $100.00 for not ready, $100.00 for 5+ code violations, $100.00 second reinspection, $200.00 third, $300.00 fourth. Plumbing and mechanical: similar $100/$200/$300 ladder.
06
Penalty (no permit)
Double fee for work begun without permit. 15% of permit cost for permit voiding.
Once application is entered in LDO, applicant receives email directing online payment of application or review fee. All applicable review fees must be paid before plan review begins. All permit fee payments and inspection requests made through LDO.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- LDO Portal (online)
- City Hall Lobby (limited internet access assistance) (in-person)
- Scheduling deadline
- Only permit applicant with login credentials can schedule inspections. Lobby computers available for customers with limited internet access.
- Inspection hours
- Customer service lobby open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Department office hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
- Time windows
- Inspections conducted in next available time slot based on inspection type and site location.
Typical sequence: Residential building: footing, foundation, slab, framing, insulation, final. Electrical: service pole/temporary power, rough-in, floor heat if applicable, final. Plumbing: slab, rough-in, water/sewer/irrigation, final. Mechanical: rough-in, final, duct leakage test if needed.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Durham permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Durham, NC? ▸
Durham requires permits for construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, relocation, removal, or demolition of buildings and for regulated plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work, subject to North Carolina statutory exemptions.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Durham, NC? ▸
Building permit fees in Durham, NC are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $100-$150. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule: New one- and two-family dwellings charged by square-foot bracket; commercial building permits valuation-based by schedule tier; many trade permits flat-fee or unit-count based. Example: new residential dwellings up to 1,200 sq ft at $146.00 permit fee plus $146.00 plan review fee.. Plan check fee: Plan review fee is subtracted from the building permit fee at issuance. Examples: $146.00 plan review for new one- and two-family dwellings; commercial plan review by valuation tier..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Durham, NC? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Durham, NC, follow these steps: 1. Confirm zoning, historic, floodplain, airport overlay, and other parcel constraints with Planning and Development before submitting. 2. Prepare the permit package: signed building permit application, matching residential or commercial checklist, plans, and required plot plan or site plan documentation. 3. Submit building permit applications through Dplans. 4. Submit trade permits through the Land Development Office portal. 5. Receive email with invoice for application and review fees; pay online through LDO. 6. Respond to review comments and resubmit revised documents if needed. 7. Monitor status in LDO until permit status is issued. 8. After issuance, schedule inspections through LDO and complete required inspection sequence.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Durham, NC? ▸
Building permit processing times in Durham, NC typically run State law requires initial residential plan review within 15 business days. Durham reviews applications in order received. No general posted turnaround for building permit issuance on city website.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Durham, NC? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Durham, NC. The following work is generally exempt: Construction costing $40,000 or less in a single-family residence, farm building, or commercial building; Replacement of windows, doors, exterior siding when exemption criteria are met; Replacement of pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking of porches and exterior decks when exemption criteria are met; Like-kind plumbing replacements with no size or capacity change; Like-kind electrical device and lighting fixture replacements in one- and two-family dwellings when performed by properly licensed contractors; Certain water heater replacements when performed by properly licensed contractors and statutory conditions are met. Note: The $40,000 exemption does not apply when work involves addition or replacement of load-bearing structures, addition or change in plumbing design, addition or replacement or change in design of HVAC or electrical wiring/devices/equipment, use of non-code materials, addition of roofing (roof replacement excluded), or changes regulated by NC Fire Code. Confirm edge cases with Permit Technicians. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Durham, NC? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Durham, NC via: LDO Portal, City Hall Lobby (limited internet access assistance). Only permit applicant with login credentials can schedule inspections. Lobby computers available for customers with limited internet access..
last verified April 2026
source City-County Building & Safety Department ↗
entry id permits/north-carolina/durham/durham
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City-County Building & Safety Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.