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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Franklin County
Franklin County permits are required for construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, movement, removal, demolition, and covered plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work under G.S. 160D-1110 unless a statutory exemption applies.
Like-kind construction, installation, repair, replacement, or alteration costing $40,000 or less in a single-family residence, farm building, or commercial building when the work does not involve load-bearing changes, plumbing design changes, HVAC or electrical redesign beyond statutory like-kind replacement, prohibited materials, added roofing, or Fire Code work
Replacement of windows, doors, exterior siding, and the pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking of porches and exterior decks under the statutory exemption conditions
Specific same-location, same-or-less-capacity replacement water heater connections in one- and two-family dwellings meeting G.S. 160D-1110
Like-kind repair or replacement of lighting fixtures, receptacles, switches, and similar devices in one- and two-family dwellings by a properly licensed electrical contractor under G.S. 160D-1110
- Exempt Like-kind construction, installation, repair, replacement, or alteration costing $40,000 or less in a single-family residence, farm building, or commercial building when the work does not involve load-bearing changes, plumbing design changes, HVAC or electrical redesign beyond statutory like-kind replacement, prohibited materials, added roofing, or Fire Code work
- Exempt Replacement of windows, doors, exterior siding, and the pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking of porches and exterior decks under the statutory exemption conditions
- Exempt Specific same-location, same-or-less-capacity replacement water heater connections in one- and two-family dwellings meeting G.S. 160D-1110
- Exempt Like-kind repair or replacement of lighting fixtures, receptacles, switches, and similar devices in one- and two-family dwellings by a properly licensed electrical contractor under G.S. 160D-1110
Required documents
- County portal submissions vary by permit type
- Building plans, trade information, zoning materials, site plans, septic or well details, and supporting affidavits as applicable
- Building code
- 2018 North Carolina State Building Code family with current state amendments
- Owner-builder
- Owners using the licensure exemption for projects at $40,000 or more must execute the affidavit required by G.S. 87-14 and be personally present for inspections unless sealed design plans are used.
- Contractor requirements
- NC general contractor license generally required at $40,000 and above unless exempt; county cannot issue covered permits without proof of licensure or valid exemption under G.S. 87-14.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Franklin County does not publish a simple countywide turnaround; North Carolina law requires initial residential building plan review within 15 business days where the local government performs plan review
- 01 Confirm zoning jurisdiction, parcel status, and any county planning requirements with Franklin County Planning.
- 02 If zoning approval is needed, submit the relevant county zoning or planning application and pay the posted planning fee.
- 03 Create or use an OpenGov account and submit the building, trade, zoning, septic or well application through the county portal.
- 04 Upload plans and project details required for the scope of work.
- 05 Respond to comments if requested, pay fees, and obtain permit issuance.
- 06 Request inspections through the portal during construction and complete final inspection closeout.
Typical processing time: Franklin County does not publish a simple countywide turnaround; North Carolina law requires initial residential building plan review within 15 business days where the local government performs plan review
§ 04
Fee schedule
Franklin County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$30 for some county residential planning approvals; $65 for many county miscellaneous residential trade permits
02
Plan check fee
$30 residential accessory plan review; $55 residential plan review; $105 per trade commercial plan review
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed. County planning fees are mostly flat or acreage-based; residential building fees are often square-foot based; commercial building fees are cost-of-construction based
04
Trade permit fee
$65 minimum for many miscellaneous residential trade permits
05
Reinspection fee
$65 second inspection, $125 third inspection, $225 fourth inspection and over, $65 late cancellation fee
06
Penalty (no permit)
Building without permit is original permit fee x 2 plus zoning plus plan review fee
County states fees must be paid before inspection can be scheduled
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Franklin County OpenGov Portal (online)
Typical sequence: Permit issuance, trade and building inspections by stage, correction and reinspection if needed, final approval.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Franklin County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, NC? ▸
Franklin County permits are required for construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, movement, removal, demolition, and covered plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work under G.S. 160D-1110 unless a statutory exemption applies.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Franklin County, NC? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Franklin County, NC are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $30 for some county residential planning approvals; $65 for many county miscellaneous residential trade permits. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. County planning fees are mostly flat or acreage-based; residential building fees are often square-foot based; commercial building fees are cost-of-construction based. Plan check fee: $30 residential accessory plan review; $55 residential plan review; $105 per trade commercial plan review.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, NC? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, NC, follow these steps: 1. Confirm zoning jurisdiction, parcel status, and any county planning requirements with Franklin County Planning. 2. If zoning approval is needed, submit the relevant county zoning or planning application and pay the posted planning fee. 3. Create or use an OpenGov account and submit the building, trade, zoning, septic or well application through the county portal. 4. Upload plans and project details required for the scope of work. 5. Respond to comments if requested, pay fees, and obtain permit issuance. 6. Request inspections through the portal during construction and complete final inspection closeout.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, NC? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Franklin County, NC typically run Franklin County does not publish a simple countywide turnaround; North Carolina law requires initial residential building plan review within 15 business days where the local government performs plan review. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Franklin County, NC? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Franklin County, NC. The following work is generally exempt: Like-kind construction, installation, repair, replacement, or alteration costing $40,000 or less in a single-family residence, farm building, or commercial building when the work does not involve load-bearing changes, plumbing design changes, HVAC or electrical redesign beyond statutory like-kind replacement, prohibited materials, added roofing, or Fire Code work; Replacement of windows, doors, exterior siding, and the pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking of porches and exterior decks under the statutory exemption conditions; Specific same-location, same-or-less-capacity replacement water heater connections in one- and two-family dwellings meeting G.S. 160D-1110; Like-kind repair or replacement of lighting fixtures, receptacles, switches, and similar devices in one- and two-family dwellings by a properly licensed electrical contractor under G.S. 160D-1110. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Franklin County, NC? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Franklin County, NC via: Franklin County OpenGov Portal.
last verified April 2026
source Franklin County Planning and Inspections ↗
entry id permits/north-carolina/franklin/centerville
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Franklin County Planning and Inspections before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.