County Building Permits
Davie County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Davie County, North Carolina. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
In unincorporated Davie County, the county handles both zoning and building code administration directly through Planning & Development Services.
- Department
- Davie County Planning & Development Services
- Address
- 298 E. Depot Street, Suite 100, Mocksville, NC 27028
- Phone
- 336-753-6050
Online Permit Portal
Platform: OpenGov • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine project type and required permit package through Davie County Planning & Development Services. The county inspection division issues permits, conducts plan review, and performs inspections for new construction and renovations.
- Create an OpenGov applicant account and start a new permit record.
- Submit the required zoning, environmental health, and construction documents. Davie County's residential guidance requires a complete application, approved environmental health permit if not on sewer, approved zoning permit, and construction plans.
- For commercial projects, provide all plans and supporting items required by the county's commercial permitting checklist, including the project information worksheet and any design professional materials required.
- Respond to review comments, pay fees when billed, and obtain the issued permit through the county process.
- Request required inspections during construction using the county's inspection request procedure.
Typical processing time: Residential permits are estimated at about 10 business days from complete application; commercial permits usually take about 20 business days after all plans and documents are submitted.
General Requirements
The county inspection division issues building permits and performs plan review and inspections of new construction, renovations, and other work regulated under the North Carolina State Building Code.
Required Documents
- Complete application
- Approved zoning permit
- Approved environmental health permit if not on public sewer
- Building plans
- Energy certificate
- Commercial project information worksheet where applicable
- Owner exemption affidavit and workers' compensation form where applicable
- Permit validity
- G.S. 160D-1111 states a building permit expires if work is not commenced within 12 months after issuance, or if work is discontinued for 12 months after commencement.
- Building code
- 2018 North Carolina Building Code and 2018 NC Existing Building Code
- Owner-builder
- Davie County publishes an Owner Exemption Affidavit. North Carolina law also limits owner-builder use and requires owner presence during inspections in certain exempt-from-licensure cases unless sealed architectural plans were used.
- Contractor requirements
- North Carolina general contractor licensure is required at $40,000 and above; electrical contractors must be licensed through the state board.
Fees
- Payment note
- OpenGov applicant workflow supports online portal use; county business-opening guidance also states applicants can pay permit fees through the permitting portal.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses if under 12 feet in any dimension and under 144 square feet, unless the roof extends closer than 5 feet to another structure
- Nonstructural work costing $20,000 or less in a single-family residence if the work does not affect load-bearing structures, egress, fire resistance, plumbing, gas, or electrical systems. Examples include replacement of windows, doors, exterior siding, pickets, railings, gutters, and porch flooring
- Replacement of water heaters in one- or two-family dwellings if the energy source is not changed, the work is done by a licensed plumbing contractor, the replacement is in the same location, and the county is notified within five business days after completion
- Farm buildings exempt when located outside municipal jurisdiction and not used for sleeping, office space, or public access
Important: These exemptions follow North Carolina state law. Confirm edge cases with Davie County Planning & Development Services before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- OpenGov portal (online)
- 336-753-6050 (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Sequence varies by scope, but the county process follows staged building and trade inspections under the North Carolina State Building Code after permit issuance.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2018 North Carolina Building Code and 2018 NC Existing Building Code
- Verify contractor license: NC Licensing Board for General Contractors
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- County forms, policies, and procedures
- County permit records archive
- OSFM current and past codes
- NC permit and exemption statute
- 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 Davie County Planning & Development Services before applying.
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