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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Winston-Salem
Building permits are required for construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, moving, removal, or demolition of buildings/structures; trade permits are required for plumbing, mechanical/HVAC, 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
- PDF uploads in GeoCivix
- 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; the 2020 NEC took effect November 1, 2021, with stated exceptions for older parent permits.
- Owner-builder
- The main portal pages do not publish a standalone owner-builder policy, but the city publishes homeowner affidavit forms for certain residential permit types; owners should confirm owner-occupant eligibility with the Permit Office.
- Contractor requirements
- Licensed contractors use BuildIT for trade permits; state licensure applies, including NC 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 with the Inspections Division and collect the applicable application/checklist from Planning and Development Services.
- 02 Create a GeoCivix account and submit the residential building permit or commercial plan review package electronically.
- 03 Upload required PDFs, including the site plan and, where applicable, Workers Compensation Affidavit and Lien Agent information.
- 04 City staff reviews the plans; if corrections are issued, revise and resubmit through GeoCivix.
- 05 After approval, pay permit fees.
- 06 Use BuildIT for permit status, inspection comments, and contractor inspection scheduling; licensed contractors can also pull trade permits in BuildIT.
Source: Inspections Division, Planning and Development Services Department ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Winston-Salem building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$100 building minimum; $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 new 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; city warns against bogus off-system invoices and states payments are handled within the system.
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, then certificate/occupancy closeout as applicable
Source: Inspections Division, Planning and Development Services Department ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Winston-Salem permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Winston-Salem, NC? ▸
Building permits are required for construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, moving, removal, or demolition of buildings/structures; trade permits are required for plumbing, mechanical/HVAC, and electrical work, subject to limited state-law exemptions.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Winston-Salem, NC? ▸
Building permit fees in Winston-Salem, NC are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $100 building minimum; $75 minimum for plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Single-family new 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 Winston-Salem, NC? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Winston-Salem, NC, follow these steps: 1. Confirm project scope with the Inspections Division and collect the applicable application/checklist from Planning and Development Services. 2. Create a GeoCivix account and submit the residential building permit or commercial plan review package electronically. 3. Upload required PDFs, including the site plan and, where applicable, Workers Compensation Affidavit and Lien Agent information. 4. City staff reviews the plans; if corrections are issued, revise and resubmit through GeoCivix. 5. After approval, pay permit fees. 6. Use BuildIT for permit status, inspection comments, and contractor inspection scheduling; licensed contractors can also pull trade permits in BuildIT.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Winston-Salem, NC? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, NC? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Winston-Salem, NC via: BuildIT, 336-727-2624.
last verified April 2026
source Inspections Division, Planning and Development Services Department ↗
entry id permits/north-carolina/forsyth/winston-salem
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.