How much does a building permit cost in Town of Dallas, NC?

Fees are calculated as: Town local fees are set by Dallas fee schedules; county building fees are valuation based with flat fees for some categories. Plan check fee: County commercial plan review fee is 20 percent of permit fee for first review.

How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Dallas, NC?

1. Confirm that the parcel is within the Town of Dallas zoning jurisdiction and obtain the parcel number from Gaston County GIS. 2. Submit the required Dallas zoning permit, sign permit, driveway permit, food truck permit, or related development application through the town permit portal or by the town's stated submittal methods. 3. Obtain town zoning approval. 4. Prepare the corresponding Gaston County building permit package if the project also requires a county building permit. 5. Submit the county package through Citizen Self Service with plans and attachments. 6. Pay the town and county fees. 7. County issues the building permit and performs inspections.

What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Dallas, NC?

The following work is generally exempt: Dallas zoning ordinance expressly requires permits for multiple activity categories, including items that may not trigger a county structural permit in every case; Confirm fence, accessory structure, home occupation, sign, and similar work directly with Dallas before relying on a building-code exemption; County permit exemptions for limited minor work do not waive Dallas zoning permit requirements where the town ordinance requires a local permit.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Dallas, NC?

Inspections can be scheduled via: County inspection scheduling after county permit issuance.

City Building Permits

Town of Dallas, NC - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Dallas, North Carolina. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

North Carolina Gaston County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Gaston County enforces State Building Codes in Dallas. Dallas separately requires zoning permits under its zoning ordinance and provides its own permit portal and forms.

Department: Gaston County Building Inspections Department for building permits and inspections; Town of Dallas Development Services, Planning and Zoning
Address: Town Administration, 210 N. Holland St, Dallas, NC 28034-1625; County building office at 128 W. Main Ave., Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: 704-922-3176 (Town Administration); 704-866-3000 (county main)
Email: svalzonis@dallasnc.net , dlingafelt@dallasnc.net
Website: https://www.gastongov.com/175/Building-Inspections

Online Permit Portal

Open Town of Dallas Permit Portal

Platform: iWorQ permit portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Confirm that the parcel is within the Town of Dallas zoning jurisdiction and obtain the parcel number from Gaston County GIS.
Submit the required Dallas zoning permit, sign permit, driveway permit, food truck permit, or related development application through the town permit portal or by the town's stated submittal methods.
Obtain town zoning approval.
Prepare the corresponding Gaston County building permit package if the project also requires a county building permit.
Submit the county package through Citizen Self Service with plans and attachments.
Pay the town and county fees.
County issues the building permit and performs inspections.

Typical processing time: Dallas does not post a firm zoning turnaround on the reviewed page. County residential review remains subject to the statutory 15-business-day review rule.

Source: Gaston County Building Inspections Department for building permits and inspections; Town of Dallas Development Services, Planning and Zoning

General Requirements

Dallas states its zoning ordinance requires permits for new construction, additions and remodels, accessory structures and fences, demolition, signage, customary home occupations, beekeeping and apiary activities, and food trucks.

Required Documents

Parcel number
Town zoning application or other form by project type
Setbacks
Supporting plans
County permit package and plans where county building permit is also required

Building code: 2018 North Carolina State Building Code family with state amendments in force through March 2023
Owner-builder: State owner exemption and owner-inspection rules apply
Contractor requirements: NC general contractor licensing at $40,000 and above; NC electrical licensing for electrical contractors

Fees

Plan check fee: County commercial plan review fee is 20 percent of permit fee for first review
Permit fee formula: Town local fees are set by Dallas fee schedules; county building fees are valuation based with flat fees for some categories
Reinspection fee: County reinspection, not-ready, and work-without-permit penalties apply
Payment note: Dallas planning materials indicate permit portal use and email submittal options for some forms; applicants should verify payment routing for town fees

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective FY 2026).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Dallas zoning ordinance expressly requires permits for multiple activity categories, including items that may not trigger a county structural permit in every case
Confirm fence, accessory structure, home occupation, sign, and similar work directly with Dallas before relying on a building-code exemption
County permit exemptions for limited minor work do not waive Dallas zoning permit requirements where the town ordinance requires a local permit

Inspections

How to Schedule

County inspection scheduling after county permit issuance (online)

Inspection hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday

Typical inspection sequence: Dallas zoning clearance first, then county staged inspections for building code work

Additional Resources

Building code: 2018 North Carolina State Building Code family with state amendments in force through March 2023
Verify contractor license: NC Licensing Board for General Contractors
Zoning information: View zoning info
Dallas Rates and Fee Schedules
Gaston County GIS
Gaston County Permit Applications
License lookup guide: North Carolina Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: North Carolina Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
North Carolina hub: North Carolina Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Gaston County Building Inspections Department for building permits and inspections; Town of Dallas Development Services, Planning and Zoning before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Dallas Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Dallas, NC?: Dallas states its zoning ordinance requires permits for new construction, additions and remodels, accessory structures and fences, demolition, signage, customary home occupations, beekeeping and apiary activities, and food trucks.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Dallas, NC?: Fees are calculated as: Town local fees are set by Dallas fee schedules; county building fees are valuation based with flat fees for some categories. Plan check fee: County commercial plan review fee is 20 percent of permit fee for first review.
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Dallas, NC?: 1. Confirm that the parcel is within the Town of Dallas zoning jurisdiction and obtain the parcel number from Gaston County GIS. 2. Submit the required Dallas zoning permit, sign permit, driveway permit, food truck permit, or related development application through the town permit portal or by the town's stated submittal methods. 3. Obtain town zoning approval. 4. Prepare the corresponding Gaston County building permit package if the project also requires a county building permit. 5. Submit the county package through Citizen Self Service with plans and attachments. 6. Pay the town and county fees. 7. County issues the building permit and performs inspections.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Dallas, NC?: Typical processing time is Dallas does not post a firm zoning turnaround on the reviewed page. County residential review remains subject to the statutory 15-business-day review rule..
What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Dallas, NC?: The following work is generally exempt: Dallas zoning ordinance expressly requires permits for multiple activity categories, including items that may not trigger a county structural permit in every case; Confirm fence, accessory structure, home occupation, sign, and similar work directly with Dallas before relying on a building-code exemption; County permit exemptions for limited minor work do not waive Dallas zoning permit requirements where the town ordinance requires a local permit.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Dallas, NC?: Inspections can be scheduled via: County inspection scheduling after county permit issuance.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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