Franklin County, NC - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Covers unincorporated Franklin County areas not within a municipality or municipal ETJ that controls zoning review.

Department

Franklin County Planning and Inspections

Address

127 S Bickett Boulevard, Louisburg, NC 27549

Phone

(919) 496-2281 (inspections); (919) 496-2909 (planning)

Website

https://www.franklincountync.gov/226/Planning-Inspections

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning and planning requirements with Franklin County Planning for the parcel and project scope.
2. If applicable, submit zoning or planning applications and pay current planning fees.
3. Create or log into the county OpenGov portal and choose the correct application type for building permit, electrical/HVAC/plumbing, zoning permit, septic/well, or fire inspection.
4. Upload plans and supporting materials, including any required zoning approvals, site plans, or other supporting documents.
5. Wait for review, address any corrections, pay fees, and receive permit issuance.
6. Request inspections through the portal and track inspection history and comments online until final approval.

Source: Franklin County Planning and Inspections

General Requirements

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 the project qualifies for a statutory exemption.

Required Documents

• County portal applications by permit type
• Project plans, trade information, zoning materials, septic or well information, and affidavits or licensure proof where applicable

Building code

2018 North Carolina State Building Code family with current state amendments

Owner-builder

Owners claiming exemption from general contractor licensure at the $40,000 threshold must execute the affidavit required by G.S. 87-14 and be personally present for required inspections unless sealed 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 exemption under G.S. 87-14.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$30 for some planning approvals and $65 for many county miscellaneous residential trade permits

Plan check fee

$30 residential accessory plan review; $55 residential plan review; $105 per trade commercial plan review

Permit fee formula

Residential new homes are square-foot based, modular and manufactured housing fees are flat by type, accessory structures use square-foot formulas, many trade permits are flat or cost-based, and commercial permits use cost-of-construction formulas

Trade permit fee

$65 minimum for many miscellaneous residential trade permits

Reinspection fee

$65 second inspection, $125 third inspection, $225 fourth inspection and over, $65 late cancellation fee

Penalty (no permit)

Building without permit is original permit fee x 2 plus zoning plus plan review fee

Payment note

County notes that fees must be paid before inspection can be scheduled

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• 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

Inspections

How to Schedule

• OpenGov Portal (online)

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, staged trade and building inspections, corrections if needed, final inspection and closeout.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2018 North Carolina State Building Code family with current state amendments
• Verify contractor license: NC Licensing Board for General Contractors
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• County Inspections
• County Planning Procedures
• County Planning and GIS
• NC General Contractor Licensing
• NC Building Code Exemptions
• License lookup guide: North Carolina Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: North Carolina Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• North Carolina hub: North Carolina Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Franklin County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, NC?

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 the project qualifies for a statutory exemption.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Franklin County, NC?

The minimum permit fee is $30 for some planning approvals and $65 for many county miscellaneous residential trade permits. Fees are calculated as: Residential new homes are square-foot based, modular and manufactured housing fees are flat by type, accessory structures use square-foot formulas, many trade permits are flat or cost-based, and commercial permits use cost-of-construction formulas. Plan check fee: $30 residential accessory plan review; $55 residential plan review; $105 per trade commercial plan review.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, NC?

1. Confirm zoning and planning requirements with Franklin County Planning for the parcel and project scope. 2. If applicable, submit zoning or planning applications and pay current planning fees. 3. Create or log into the county OpenGov portal and choose the correct application type for building permit, electrical/HVAC/plumbing, zoning permit, septic/well, or fire inspection. 4. Upload plans and supporting materials, including any required zoning approvals, site plans, or other supporting documents. 5. Wait for review, address any corrections, pay fees, and receive permit issuance. 6. Request inspections through the portal and track inspection history and comments online until final approval.

What work is exempt from building permits 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.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Franklin County, NC?

Inspections can be scheduled via: OpenGov Portal.