On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Forsyth County
Building permits are required for covered construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, movement, removal, or demolition, with trade permits for plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work subject to limited state-law exemptions.
Ordinary repairs in a single-family residence, farm building, or commercial building that do not involve load-bearing work, changed plumbing design, changed HVAC/electrical design, new roofing layer, fire-code-triggering work, or non-code materials
Replacement of windows, doors, exterior siding, or porch/deck pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking when otherwise within the state ordinary-repair exemption
In one- or two-family dwellings, certain like-kind electrical fixture/device replacements such as receptacles and switches
In one- or two-family dwellings, certain water-heater replacement connections meeting the state-law conditions
- Exempt Ordinary repairs in a single-family residence, farm building, or commercial building that do not involve load-bearing work, changed plumbing design, changed HVAC/electrical design, new roofing layer, fire-code-triggering work, or non-code materials
- Exempt Replacement of windows, doors, exterior siding, or porch/deck pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking when otherwise within the state ordinary-repair exemption
- Exempt In one- or two-family dwellings, certain like-kind electrical fixture/device replacements such as receptacles and switches
- Exempt In one- or two-family dwellings, certain water-heater replacement connections meeting the state-law conditions
Required documents
- Site plan
- Plan set
- Electronic PDF uploads
- Workers Compensation Affidavit where applicable
- Lien Agent information where applicable
- Building code
- State-mandated NC State Building Code. The 2018 NC code family remains in effect pending delayed 2024 rollout; city-county materials note the 2020 NEC took effect November 1, 2021, with stated exceptions.
- Owner-builder
- Main portal pages do not publish a standalone owner-builder policy; owners should confirm eligibility with the Permit Office before filing as owner-builder.
- Contractor requirements
- Licensed contractors use BuildIT for trade permits; NC state licensure rules apply, including general contractor licensure for projects of $40,000 or more and state electrical licensure for electrical contracting.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm project scope and county zoning/land-use constraints with Planning and Development Services.
- 02 Create a GeoCivix account and submit the residential or commercial permit package electronically.
- 03 Upload plans/site plan and, where applicable, Workers Compensation Affidavit and Lien Agent information.
- 04 Respond to review comments and resubmit revisions through GeoCivix if needed.
- 05 Pay permit fees after approval.
- 06 Use BuildIT for permit status, inspection comments, and contractor inspection scheduling/trade permitting.
Source: Inspections Division, Planning and Development Services Department ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Forsyth County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$100 building minimum for many building permits; $75 minimum for plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits
02
Plan check fee
Commercial plan review starts at $100 and increases by square footage/project type
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed. Single-family work is largely square-foot based; nonresidential work is valuation based; many trade items are flat-fee or unit based.
04
Reinspection fee
Extra trip charge after first fail: second trip $50, third $75, all others $100
05
Penalty (no permit)
Starting work without permit is generally double permit fee
BuildIT guest users can pay by credit card; the division warns that payments are handled within the system and not by outside invoices.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- BuildIT (online)
- 336-727-2624 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; phone calls not received after 4:43 p.m.
Typical sequence: Typical sequence: permit issuance, trade rough-ins as applicable, framing/building inspections, finals, certificate/occupancy closeout as applicable
Source: Inspections Division, Planning and Development Services Department ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Forsyth County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Forsyth County, NC? ▸
Building permits are required for covered construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, movement, removal, or demolition, with trade permits for plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work subject to limited state-law exemptions.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Forsyth County, NC? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Forsyth County, NC are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $100 building minimum for many building permits; $75 minimum for plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Single-family work is largely square-foot based; nonresidential work is valuation based; many trade items are flat-fee or unit based.. Plan check fee: Commercial plan review starts at $100 and increases by square footage/project type.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Forsyth County, NC? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Forsyth County, NC, follow these steps: 1. Confirm project scope and county zoning/land-use constraints with Planning and Development Services. 2. Create a GeoCivix account and submit the residential or commercial permit package electronically. 3. Upload plans/site plan and, where applicable, Workers Compensation Affidavit and Lien Agent information. 4. Respond to review comments and resubmit revisions through GeoCivix if needed. 5. Pay permit fees after approval. 6. Use BuildIT for permit status, inspection comments, and contractor inspection scheduling/trade permitting.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Forsyth County, NC? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Forsyth County, NC. The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs in a single-family residence, farm building, or commercial building that do not involve load-bearing work, changed plumbing design, changed HVAC/electrical design, new roofing layer, fire-code-triggering work, or non-code materials; Replacement of windows, doors, exterior siding, or porch/deck pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking when otherwise within the state ordinary-repair exemption; In one- or two-family dwellings, certain like-kind electrical fixture/device replacements such as receptacles and switches; In one- or two-family dwellings, certain water-heater replacement connections meeting the state-law conditions. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Forsyth County, NC? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Forsyth County, NC via: BuildIT, 336-727-2624.
last verified April 2026
source Inspections Division, Planning and Development Services Department ↗
entry id permits/north-carolina/forsyth/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Inspections Division, Planning and Development Services Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.