Unincorporated Hoke County

County zoning approval is required before use, occupancy, erection, movement, structural alteration, or change in use in the regulated unincorporated area. County inspections pages state permits are required for most building-code-regulated work. The number of exceptions is limited.

Note: State-law permit exemptions may apply for work costing $40,000 or less in a single-family residence, farm building, or commercial building when the work does not involve structural load-bearing work, plumbing design changes, HVAC or electrical design changes, prohibited materials, added roofing, or Fire Code triggers. Certain like-kind water heater replacements in one- or two-family dwellings may be exempt if completed by a properly licensed contractor and statutory conditions are met. Certain like-kind repair or replacement of electrical devices and lighting fixtures in one- or two-family dwellings may be exempt if statutory conditions are met. Hoke County expressly warns that there are only a few exceptions and that work started without permits will trigger enforcement and doubled fees.

Building code

Hoke County states it enforces the building codes adopted by the State of North Carolina (currently 2018 North Carolina codes).

Permit validity

County zoning permits confer the right to proceed if the authorized action is commenced within 180 days and all other permits are obtained. The zoning permit lapses unless work starts within six months of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for at least one year.

Owner-builder

Local webpages do not publish a separate owner-builder guide, but N.C.G.S. 87-14 requires an affidavit if the permit applicant claims the owner-builder exemption from GC licensure for qualifying work.

Contractor requirements

Licensed NC general contractor required for projects costing $40,000 or more unless exempt. Electrical contractors must be licensed by the state. County permit forms collect license numbers for the applicable building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors.

Source: Hoke County Planning / Zoning and Hoke County Inspections ↗

1. 01
   Determine whether the parcel is in unincorporated Hoke County outside the Raeford ETJ. If so, county planning and county inspections are the controlling local permit authorities.
2. 02
   Apply for the county zoning and development permit when required. The zoning ordinance page states no land may be used or occupied and no building may be altered, erected, moved, used, or have its use changed until a zoning permit is issued.
3. 03
   Prepare the inspections permit application and plans. Hoke County requires two residential plan sets and four commercial plan sets plus one PDF CD for commercial plan review.
4. 04
   Submit the package to Hoke County Inspections at 423 E Central Avenue, Raeford.
5. 05
   County staff review the submittal. The county posts usual review times of 1 to 3 working days for single-family residences and 7 to 10 working days for commercial projects.
6. 06
   Pay fees using cash, check, or money order before permit issuance. The county states no permits are issued after 4:30 PM.
7. 07
   Request inspections through iWorQ or by phone. Requests received before 4:30 PM can be placed on the next business day's schedule.

Typical processing time: Single-family residence: 1 to 3 working days; commercial: 7 to 10 working days; special or large commercial as required.

Source: Hoke County Planning / Zoning and Hoke County Inspections ↗

Payments accepted are cash, check, or money order. Permit issuance stops after 4:30 PM.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• iWorQ Portal (online)
• 910-875-8407 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests received before 4:30 PM can be placed on the next business day's schedule.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Time windows

The iWorQ calendar displays request times from 7:00 AM through 4:55 PM.

Typical sequence: Depending on project type, the county portal lists footing, foundation, slab prep, open floor, underground utilities, framing or rough-in, insulation rough-in and final, mechanical rough-in and final, plumbing rough-in and final, electrical rough-in and final, pre-final, final, and reinspection options.

Source: Hoke County Planning / Zoning and Hoke County Inspections ↗