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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Clemmons
Clemmons issues Stormwater Management, Sign, and Driveway permits; Winston-Salem/Forsyth County handles building and trade permits and inspections for village projects.
Limited state-law ordinary repairs not requiring a permit
Window, door, exterior siding, and similar porch/deck surface replacements allowed by the state ordinary-repair exemption
Certain like-kind residential electrical fixture/device replacements allowed by state law without permit
Certain like-kind residential water-heater replacement connections allowed by state law without permit
- Exempt Limited state-law ordinary repairs not requiring a permit
- Exempt Window, door, exterior siding, and similar porch/deck surface replacements allowed by the state ordinary-repair exemption
- Exempt Certain like-kind residential electrical fixture/device replacements allowed by state law without permit
- Exempt Certain like-kind residential water-heater replacement connections allowed by state law without permit
Required documents
- Local application depends on permit type in OpenGov
- County building permits require electronic plans/site plan and applicable affidavits through GeoCivix
- Building code
- NC State Building Code enforced through Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections.
- Permit validity
- County permit expiration rules apply to building permits
- Contractor requirements
- State licensure applies; county BuildIT trade permitting is for licensed contractors.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Determine whether the project needs a Village-issued permit (stormwater, sign, driveway, planning application) and/or a Winston-Salem/Forsyth County building/trade permit.
- 02 Submit Village-issued permit applications through Clemmons OpenGov.
- 03 Submit building permit packages electronically to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County through GeoCivix where building permit review is required.
- 04 Pay the applicable village and city-county fees.
- 05 Schedule/complete inspections through Winston-Salem/Forsyth County for building-code permits.
- 06 Obtain final local closeout/occupancy approvals as applicable.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Clemmons building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Clemmons driveway permits are $40 for new driveways and $20 for reconstruction; city-county building permit minimums apply separately
02
Plan check fee
Building permit plan review follows the Winston-Salem/Forsyth commercial plan review schedule where applicable
03
Permit fee formula
Clemmons local permits are largely flat-fee items; Winston-Salem/Forsyth building fees use a mixed square-foot, valuation, and flat-fee schedule.
04
Reinspection fee
Building permit reinspection/penalty fees follow the Winston-Salem/Forsyth schedule
Clemmons local permits and payments run through OpenGov; building permit payments run through the city-county systems.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Winston-Salem/Forsyth County BuildIT (online)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Typical sequence: Village local permit review where applicable, county building permit issuance, trade/building inspections, final approval
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Clemmons permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Clemmons, NC? ▸
Clemmons issues Stormwater Management, Sign, and Driveway permits; Winston-Salem/Forsyth County handles building and trade permits and inspections for village projects.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Clemmons, NC? ▸
Building permit fees in Clemmons, NC are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Clemmons driveway permits are $40 for new driveways and $20 for reconstruction; city-county building permit minimums apply separately. Fees are calculated as: Clemmons local permits are largely flat-fee items; Winston-Salem/Forsyth building fees use a mixed square-foot, valuation, and flat-fee schedule.. Plan check fee: Building permit plan review follows the Winston-Salem/Forsyth commercial plan review schedule where applicable.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Clemmons, NC? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Clemmons, NC, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the project needs a Village-issued permit (stormwater, sign, driveway, planning application) and/or a Winston-Salem/Forsyth County building/trade permit. 2. Submit Village-issued permit applications through Clemmons OpenGov. 3. Submit building permit packages electronically to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County through GeoCivix where building permit review is required. 4. Pay the applicable village and city-county fees. 5. Schedule/complete inspections through Winston-Salem/Forsyth County for building-code permits. 6. Obtain final local closeout/occupancy approvals as applicable.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Clemmons, NC? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Clemmons, NC. The following work is generally exempt: Limited state-law ordinary repairs not requiring a permit; Window, door, exterior siding, and similar porch/deck surface replacements allowed by the state ordinary-repair exemption; Certain like-kind residential electrical fixture/device replacements allowed by state law without permit; Certain like-kind residential water-heater replacement connections allowed by state law without permit. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Clemmons, NC? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Clemmons, NC via: Winston-Salem/Forsyth County BuildIT.
last verified April 2026
source Planning and Community Development, Village of Clemmons; building/trade permits and inspections by Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Division ↗
entry id permits/north-carolina/forsyth/clemmons
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Planning and Community Development, Village of Clemmons; building/trade permits and inspections by Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.