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When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Matthews
Permanent signs require County sign permit intake plus Town zoning review. Temporary signs are reviewed directly by Matthews and do not require a County permit. For broader building permits, County permit rules apply and Matthews zoning review may also be required depending on project type.
- Exempt Temporary signs do not require a County permit, but Matthews review is still required
Note: Permanent signs always require Town zoning review before County issuance. Other building-permit exemptions follow Mecklenburg County and state permit rules unless Town zoning independently applies.
- County Accela application
- Sign drawings
- Responsible person or contractor contact information
- Project address
- Business name
- Town zoning-review materials
- Building code
- Mecklenburg County enforces the NC State Building Code; Matthews applies local zoning compliance through Planning and Development.
- Owner-builder
- County homeowner rules apply for owner-builders using County permit systems.
- Contractor requirements
- Sign applications may be submitted by the sign contractor. State licensing rules apply to any trade permits required in County review.
Application process
Typical processing: Matthews' current sign instruction sheet does not state a fixed turnaround for permanent signs.
- 01 Submit the permanent sign permit application in Mecklenburg County Accela. Matthews states all permanent sign permit applications begin in the County online system.
- 02 Upload sign drawings and required documents to the County application.
- 03 Send the same sign drawings and required contact/project information to the Matthews Planning and Development Department for zoning compliance review.
- 04 Pay the Town's local zoning review fee.
- 05 After Town zoning approval, upload or otherwise provide the stamped zoning approval documents back through the County workflow.
- 06 Mecklenburg County completes final review and issues the permanent sign permit.
- 07 Schedule permanent sign inspections through the County Accela system.
Typical processing time: Matthews' current sign instruction sheet does not state a fixed turnaround for permanent signs.
Fee schedule
Matthews building permit fees
Matthews allows payment by phone, in person, or by mail for the Town fee. County fees are processed through County workflows.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
- Mecklenburg County Accela (online)
- Inspection hours
- Matthews Town Hall contact hours are regular municipal business hours; County permit pages list County business hours as Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Typical sequence: County application, Town zoning review, Town fee payment, County final review, County permit issuance, County inspection
Frequently asked
Common questions about Matthews permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Matthews, NC? ▸
02 How much does a building permit cost in Matthews, NC? ▸
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Matthews, NC? ▸
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Matthews, NC? ▸
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Matthews, NC? ▸
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Matthews, NC? ▸
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Town of Matthews Planning and Development Department for local zoning review; Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement for permanent sign permit intake, final review, issuance, and inspections, and for County building permits generally before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.