County Building Permits
Wayne County, NC - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Wayne County, North Carolina. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Issues permits for Wayne County except the Town of Mount Olive and the City of Goldsboro and their one-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction
- Department
- Wayne County Inspections Department
- Address
- 134 N John Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530
- Phone
- 919-731-1169
Online Permit Portal
Platform: County online permit entry and status page • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm zoning and development permit requirements with Wayne County Planning.
- Obtain a land use/zoning permit from Wayne County Planning, unless the property is in a city limit or ETJ that requires town zoning approval.
- Obtain septic approval from Wayne County Environmental Health if applicable.
- Submit the building permit package and plans to Wayne County Inspections.
- Respond to plan review comments and pay assessed fees.
- Permit is issued and inspections can be scheduled.
General Requirements
Required for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, and mobile home setup work handled by the county
Required Documents
- Land use/zoning permit, septic permit where applicable, and one set of plans for residential or two sets for commercial per county guidance
- Building code
- North Carolina statewide building code, enforced locally; county public pages reference the NC Fire Prevention Code 2018 Edition and current county enforcement is aligned to the state code family
- Contractor requirements
- North Carolina general contractor license is required for projects of $40,000 or more; trade licensing applies for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Building permits start at $90 up to $15,000 valuation
- Plan check fee
- Commercial plan review $75; new single family home review $50; additions and storage buildings $25
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed valuation-based schedule
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- County page says all construction work up to $5,000 has no building permit unless required by general statutes
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Call 919-731-1169 before 5:00 pm for next day inspections (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Footing, foundation, floor, sheathing/nailing, rough-in framing, insulation, final
Reinspection fee $60; do not call unless work is ready for inspection
Additional Resources
- Building code: North Carolina statewide building code, enforced locally; county public pages reference the NC Fire Prevention Code 2018 Edition and current county enforcement is aligned to the state code family
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Other useful links
- Other useful links
- Other useful links
- 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 Wayne County Inspections Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wayne County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Wayne County, NC?
- Required for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, and mobile home setup work handled by the county
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Wayne County, NC?
- The minimum permit fee is Building permits start at $90 up to $15,000 valuation. Fees are calculated as: Mixed valuation-based schedule. Plan check fee: Commercial plan review $75; new single family home review $50; additions and storage buildings $25.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Wayne County, NC?
- 1. Confirm zoning and development permit requirements with Wayne County Planning. 2. Obtain a land use/zoning permit from Wayne County Planning, unless the property is in a city limit or ETJ that requires town zoning approval. 3. Obtain septic approval from Wayne County Environmental Health if applicable. 4. Submit the building permit package and plans to Wayne County Inspections. 5. Respond to plan review comments and pay assessed fees. 6. Permit is issued and inspections can be scheduled.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Wayne County, NC?
- The following work is generally exempt: County page says all construction work up to $5,000 has no building permit unless required by general statutes.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Wayne County, NC?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Call 919-731-1169 before 5:00 pm for next day inspections.
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