City Building Permits

Centerville, NORTH-CAROLINA Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Centerville, North Carolina. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

North Carolina Franklin County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

No separate incorporated municipal permit authority for Centerville was located in public sources reviewed. For permit purposes, Centerville functions as an unincorporated Franklin County community served by Franklin County Planning and Inspections.

Department
Franklin County Planning and Inspections
Address
127 S Bickett Boulevard, Louisburg, NC 27549
Phone
(919) 496-2281 (inspections); (919) 496-2909 (planning)
Website
https://www.franklincountync.gov/226/Planning-Inspections

Online Permit Portal

Open OpenGov

Platform: OpenGov • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Confirm zoning jurisdiction, parcel status, and any county planning requirements with Franklin County Planning.
  2. If zoning approval is needed, submit the relevant county zoning or planning application and pay the posted planning fee.
  3. Create or use an OpenGov account and submit the building, trade, zoning, septic or well application through the county portal.
  4. Upload plans and project details required for the scope of work.
  5. Respond to comments if requested, pay fees, and obtain permit issuance.
  6. Request inspections through the portal during construction and complete final inspection closeout.

Typical processing time: Franklin County does not publish a simple countywide turnaround; North Carolina law requires initial residential building plan review within 15 business days where the local government performs plan review

Source: Franklin County Planning and Inspections

General Requirements

Franklin County permits are required for construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, movement, removal, demolition, and covered plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work under G.S. 160D-1110 unless a statutory exemption applies.

Required Documents

  • County portal submissions vary by permit type
  • Building plans, trade information, zoning materials, site plans, septic or well details, and supporting affidavits as applicable
Permit validity
No separate public Franklin County expiration rule was clearly posted on county landing pages reviewed
Building code
2018 North Carolina State Building Code family with current state amendments
Owner-builder
Owners using the licensure exemption for projects at $40,000 or more must execute the affidavit required by G.S. 87-14 and be personally present for inspections unless sealed design plans are used.
Contractor requirements
NC general contractor license generally required at $40,000 and above unless exempt; county cannot issue covered permits without proof of licensure or valid exemption under G.S. 87-14.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$30 for some county residential planning approvals; $65 for many county miscellaneous residential trade permits
Plan check fee
$30 residential accessory plan review; $55 residential plan review; $105 per trade commercial plan review
Permit fee formula
Mixed. County planning fees are mostly flat or acreage-based; residential building fees are often square-foot based; commercial building fees are cost-of-construction based
Trade permit fee
$65 minimum for many miscellaneous residential trade permits
Reinspection fee
$65 second inspection, $125 third inspection, $225 fourth inspection and over, $65 late cancellation fee
Penalty (no permit)
Building without permit is original permit fee x 2 plus zoning plus plan review fee
Payment note
County states fees must be paid before inspection can be scheduled

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Like-kind construction, installation, repair, replacement, or alteration costing $40,000 or less in a single-family residence, farm building, or commercial building when the work does not involve load-bearing changes, plumbing design changes, HVAC or electrical redesign beyond statutory like-kind replacement, prohibited materials, added roofing, or Fire Code work
  • Replacement of windows, doors, exterior siding, and the pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking of porches and exterior decks under the statutory exemption conditions
  • Specific same-location, same-or-less-capacity replacement water heater connections in one- and two-family dwellings meeting G.S. 160D-1110
  • Like-kind repair or replacement of lighting fixtures, receptacles, switches, and similar devices in one- and two-family dwellings by a properly licensed electrical contractor under G.S. 160D-1110

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, trade and building inspections by stage, correction and reinspection if needed, final approval.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Franklin County Planning and Inspections before applying.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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