King, NORTH-CAROLINA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

King publishes its own planning, zoning, building-permit application packet, permit staff contacts, fee schedule, and inspection instructions for work inside the city.

Department

City of King Planning Department / Planning and Inspections

Address

229 S. Main Street, King, NC 27021

Phone

336-983-8265

Email

tsizemore@ci.king.nc.us

Website

https://www.ci.king.nc.us/planningservices

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning compliance with the Planning Department before building-permit review. Bring the land record key number, deed, or survey for new-home construction.
2. Submit the completed building permit packet to the city. The packet requires the permit application, one scaled plan set with floor plans, two elevations, and a typical wall section, plus a county septic permit if applicable.
3. Wait for city review. King states incomplete building packets will not be accepted.
4. The city reviews the packet and calls the applicant when the permit is ready for pickup and payment.
5. Pay fees before permit release. King states only cash or check payment options are available in the residential permit handout.
6. Post the orange placard and keep the approved plans on site.
7. Call for inspections through the city during construction.

Typical processing time: 1 to 4 days for permit review and completion

Source: City of King Planning Department / Planning and Inspections

General Requirements

King states it is unlawful to begin excavation, construction, moving, alteration, repair, or change in use of a building, structure, land, or accessory structure until a zoning permit and/or building permit has been issued.

Required Documents

• Land record key number
• Deed or survey map for new home construction
• Completed building permit application
• One set of scaled plans for residential permits
• County septic permit when applicable

Permit validity

A paid permit expires 6 months after issuance if work has not commenced, and expires if work is discontinued for 12 months or more. The permit holder must have at least one inspection each year to keep the permit active.

Building code

2018 North Carolina State Building Code family, as currently enforced statewide pending the delayed 2024 code rollout.

Owner-builder

No separate King-only owner-builder rule was posted, but the city follows North Carolina owner exemption rules and licensure thresholds.

Contractor requirements

Residential construction over $40,000 requires a licensed general contractor. State trade licensing still applies to electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$90

Plan check fee

Commercial plan review fee from $125 for nonresidential under 4,000 square feet up to $800 for nonresidential over 40,001 square feet. Separate residential plan-check line item was not posted.

Permit fee formula

Primarily square-foot based and flat-fee schedule. New single-family residential building is $0.25 per heated square foot; plumbing, electrical, and mechanical each at $0.13 per heated square foot; zoning fee $60; home owner recovery fee $10.

Trade permit fee

$90 minimum per trade

Reinspection fee

$60 per reinspection; before- or after-hours inspections are $100 per hour with a 2-hour minimum

Penalty (no permit)

Double permit fee for building without a permit

Payment note

Only cash or check payment options are available according to the residential permit handout.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2024-2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Certain licensed like-kind replacements such as qualifying water-heater replacements and qualifying replacement of electrical lighting fixtures, receptacles, and switches in one- and two-family dwellings.
• For work costing $40,000 or less in a single-family residence, farm building, or commercial building, no permit is required if the work does not involve load-bearing changes, plumbing design changes, HVAC or electrical design changes, non-code-compliant materials, added roofing, or fire-code-triggering work.
• Replacement of windows, doors, exterior siding, and the pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking of porches and exterior decks when the project otherwise qualifies under the small-project exemption.

Important: Like other North Carolina jurisdictions, King is subject to the statutory exemptions in G.S. 160D-1110.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 336-983-8265 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests called in between 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM will typically be inspected that afternoon unless a different day is requested.

Inspection hours

9:00 AM to 11:30 AM for inspection requests

Typical inspection sequence: Temporary power or saw pole if needed, footing, under-slab, slab pour, foundation, optional floor framing, rough-in, optional flashing, insulation, water and sewer, temporary power, and final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2018 North Carolina State Building Code family, as currently enforced statewide pending the delayed 2024 code rollout.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Residential permit requirements
• License lookup guide: North Carolina Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: North Carolina Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• North Carolina hub: North Carolina Contractor License & Permit Hub

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