Cabarrus County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

County Construction Standards provides building inspections and permitting services for all areas within Cabarrus County. The Zoning Division separately issues county zoning permits for unincorporated county development.

Department

Cabarrus County Construction Standards; Cabarrus County Planning, Zoning Division

Address

65 Church St S, Concord, NC 28025

Phone

704-920-2100 (Construction Standards); 704-920-2141 (Zoning Division)

Email

construction2222@cabarruscounty.us

Website

https://www.cabarruscounty.us/Government/Departments/Construction-Standards

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning permit requirements with the Cabarrus County Zoning Division.
2. Assemble plot plan and supporting zoning materials for county zoning permit review.
3. For building permits or new residential/commercial work, create an Accela account and start the proper plan review or permit record.
4. Upload plans and required PDF documents, including permit forms, lien documents where required, and zoning documents.
5. Finish the digital plan room submission and wait for review comments.
6. Pay fees, obtain permit issuance, and schedule inspections through Accela or county inspection tools.

Typical processing time: Residential plan reviews may take 5 to 7 business days, depending on zoning; commercial reviews 3 to 5 weeks, depending on zoning.

Source: Cabarrus County Construction Standards; Cabarrus County Planning, Zoning Division

General Requirements

County zoning permits are required for many residential development projects, and county building permits are required for construction activity under the NC State Building Code. Zoning permits are required for items such as sheds, carports, garages, gazebos, and pools.

Required Documents

• Plot plan or diagram for residential zoning permit submissions
• Plan review PDFs
• Building and trade permit documents
• Lien forms for projects of $30,000 or more
• Septic/zoning materials as applicable
• Homeowner packet or owner exemption materials where relevant

Building code

2018 North Carolina State Building Code with state amendments

Owner-builder

County publishes homeowner permit package, electrical-permit homeowner guidance, non-licensed general contractor form, and owner exemption affidavit form.

Contractor requirements

NC general contractor license required at $40,000 and above; electrical contractors must be state-licensed.

Fees

Permit fee formula

County zoning fees are flat by service type; county building permit charges are separate through Construction Standards.

Payment note

Accela supports online payment. Water and Sewer Authority system development fees are handled separately through WSACC where applicable.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Fence permit from zoning is not required
• RV occupancy on a residential lot is not permitted as a substitute for a permitted dwelling

Important: Other building-code exemptions should be confirmed with Construction Standards for specific scopes.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Accela Citizen Access (online)
• 704-920-2100 (phone)

Inspection hours

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Depends on permit type; county provides plan review, permit issuance, and standard code inspections during construction.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2018 North Carolina State Building Code with state amendments
• Verify contractor license: NC Licensing Board for General Contractors
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Cabarrus County Construction Standards Forms
• Cabarrus County Plan Review
• Zoning and Enforcement FAQs
• License lookup guide: North Carolina Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: North Carolina Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• North Carolina hub: North Carolina Contractor License & Permit Hub