Town of Spring Lake, NORTH-CAROLINA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the Town of Spring Lake.

Department

Inspections Department

Address

300 Ruth Street, Spring Lake, NC 28390

Phone

910-436-0241

Email

clerk@townofspringlake.com

Website

https://www.townofspringlake.com/inspections-department/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project requires a permit and identify any zoning, water, sewer, or septic prerequisites.
2. Prepare the application and plans. Six complete sets of site and building plans are required, along with a readable plot plan.
3. Include contractor names, addresses, state license numbers, and Spring Lake privilege license numbers.
4. Include outside approvals as applicable: water tap authorization where central water is used, and septic permits from Cumberland County Health Department where lot is not on town sewer.
5. Submit the application at the Inspections Department office. Applicants fill out the application at the office.
6. Wait through plan review. Plans are checked by building plan examiners and plumbing, electrical, fire, and mechanical inspectors.
7. Pick up the permit after approval and schedule inspections by phone.

Typical processing time: Normally about 2 weeks for single-family dwellings and small commercial buildings; longer for larger buildings.

Source: Inspections Department

General Requirements

Permits needed for work requiring building, plumbing, electrical, fire, or mechanical review.

Required Documents

• Six complete sets of site and building plans
• Plot plan
• Application form
• Contractor identities and state license numbers
• Spring Lake privilege license numbers
• Water tap authorization (where relevant)
• Utility approvals or septic permit (where relevant)

Permit validity

Permits expire 6 months after issuance if work has not commenced and expire if work is discontinued for 12 months after commencement.

Building code

North Carolina State Building Code.

Owner-builder

An owner can do their own building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work without those licenses if the property will be the owner's primary residence for at least 12 months after completion.

Contractor requirements

Each contractor and subcontractor must possess a valid state-issued North Carolina license for the trade performed. Permit application requires state license numbers and town privilege license numbers.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$100

Plan check fee

Plan review resubmittal fee per trade $60.

Permit fee formula

Building permits valuation-based using a multiplier of $4.00 per $1,000 of Building Safety Journal published construction cost.

Trade permit fee

$100 minimum

Reinspection fee

Extra inspections $100 for building, insulation, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical categories. Construction started before permit issuance charged at double the regular permit fee.

Payment note

No public card-processing surcharge noted.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective August 2024).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Inspections Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 910-436-0241 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon

Typical inspection sequence: Building plan examiners and plumbing, electrical, fire, and mechanical inspectors involved. Specific field inspection order not posted as single public checklist.

Additional Resources

• Building code: North Carolina State Building Code.
• Verify contractor license: NC Licensing Board for General Contractors
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permit Information
• Inspections Department
• Rates and Fees
• License lookup guide: North Carolina Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: North Carolina Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• North Carolina hub: North Carolina Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Cumberland County