Raleigh building permits
Building permits in Raleigh are issued by the City of Raleigh Planning and Development (Building and Safety)1. You can apply and request inspections online through permitportal.raleighnc.gov2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Building codes in force in Raleigh
- Raleigh building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in Raleigh
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in Raleigh
- Building without a permit in Raleigh
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- North Carolina rules that also apply in Raleigh
- Sources
Building department contacts
City of Raleigh Planning and Development (Building and Safety)1
Building permits
- Website
- raleighnc.gov3
- Apply online
- permitportal.raleighnc.gov2
- Phone
- (919) 996-25004
- [email protected]4
- Address
- Planning and Development Customer Service Center, One Exchange Plaza, Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 276014
- Inspections
- Online through the Permit and Development Portal (active portal account required)2
City of Raleigh Planning and Development1
Zoning and planning
- Website
- raleighnc.gov5
- Phone
- (919) 996-26821
- [email protected]1
Raleigh Office of Fire Marshal (Raleigh Fire Department)1
Fire marshal
- Phone
- (919) 996-63921
- [email protected]1
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: permitportal.raleighnc.gov2.
Building codes in force in Raleigh
These are the model codes Raleigh enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see North Carolina building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Residential Code (IRC) | 2018 North Carolina Residential Code (2015 IRC base)6 | 20156 | 6 |
| International Building Code (IBC) | 2018 North Carolina Building Code (based on the 2015 IBC)6 | 20156 | 6 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | 2018 North Carolina Existing Building Code6 | 20156 | 6 |
| International Fire Code (IFC) | 2018 North Carolina Fire Code6 | 20156 | 6 |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | 2018 North Carolina Fuel Gas Code6 | 20156 | 6 |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | 2018 North Carolina Mechanical Code6 | 20156 | 6 |
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | 2018 North Carolina Plumbing Code6 | 20156 | 6 |
| Energy code, residential | 2018 North Carolina Energy Conservation Code6 | 20156 | 6 |
| Energy code, commercial | 2018 North Carolina Energy Conservation Code6 | 20156 | 6 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | 2020 State Electrical Code (2020 NEC with State Amendments; excluding one- and two-family dwellings)8 | 20208 | 8 |
Adopted by: North Carolina Building Code Council (BCC)7.
Transition rules. 2024 Code may be used at owner/agent request before its effective date9.
Raleigh building permit fees
Fees come from the City of Raleigh Development Fee Guide, July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 (FY27)1, effective 1.
How valuation is set. ICC Building Valuation Data (BVD) adjusted by RS Means City Cost Index (currently national average reduced by 12.4%)1.
Each line is worded as in Raleigh’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| New Residential Building Permit | Based on project valuation | New Residential Construction Building Permit Fee 0.35% 0.38% % Of Calculated Construction Value1 |
| New Residential Electrical Permit | Percent of the permit fee | New Residential Construction Electrical Permit Fee 54.00% 49.00% % Of Calculated Building Permit1 |
| New Residential Mechanical Permit | Percent of the permit fee | New Residential Construction Mechanical Permit Fee 28.00% 28.00% % Of Calculated Building Permit1 |
| New Residential Plumbing Permit | Percent of the permit fee | New Residential Construction Plumbing Permit Fee 34.00% 34.00% % Of Calculated Building Permit1 |
| New Residential Plan Review Fee | Plan review | New Residential Construction Plans Review Fee 57.00% 57.00% % Of Calculated Building Permit1 |
| Alterations and Repairs Plan Review Fee | Plan review | Alteration and Repairs Plans Review Fee 50.00% 55.00% % Of Calculated Building Permit1 |
| Level 1 Alteration | Percent of the permit fee | Fee is calculated by (Building Permit Fee x rate %) 25.00% 25.00% % Of Calculated Building Permit1 |
| Level 2 Alteration | Percent of the permit fee | Fee is calculated by (Building Permit Fee x rate %) 50.00% 50.00% % Of Calculated Building Permit1 |
| Level 3 Alteration | Percent of the permit fee | Fee is calculated by (Building Permit Fee x rate %) 75.00% 75.00% % Of Calculated Building Permit1 |
| Commercial and Residential Re-review Fee | Plan review | Commercial and Residential re-review fee is set at minimum permit fee $128.00 $139.00 Per Trade Per Hour1 |
| Demolition of a building or structure | Flat fee | Demolition Permit Fee $136.00 $150.00 Per Permit1 |
| Manufactured Homes | Flat fee | Includes all permits needed for installation of Manufactured Home (all trades) $377.00 $415.00 Per Home Installation1 |
| Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for Single-Family/Duplex Units | – | -Single-family/Duplex $184.00 $200.00 Per Unit1 |
| Conditional Service Fee - Residential | – | Conditional Service Fee - Residential $143.00 $157.00 Per Trade Per Unit1 |
| Re-inspection Fee | Re-inspection | Private development projects which are determined by the City to not be ready or have failed the inspection $123.00 $122.00 Per Inspection Per Trade1 |
| After Hours Inspections (Residential) | After-hours inspection | After Hours Inspections (Residential) $82.00 $90.00 Per Hour1 |
| Minimum Trade Permit Fee | Minimum fee | Any fee not specifically listed as an individual fee will be charged at the minimum permit fee. This also applies to a minimum building plan review fee. Which are assessed as per trade per review. $123.00 $124.00 Per Trade1 |
| Technology Fee | Technology surcharge | The tech fee was incorporated as part of the original DSD fee study which included Building and Safety, Land and Right of Way fees. 4% 4% Per Subtotal Of All Other Fees1 |
| Zoning Permit Fee - 1&2 Family Dwellings Existing Structures | Flat fee | A Zoning Permit is required for residential development activity. $253.00 $261.00 Per Review1 |
How to get a building permit in Raleigh
- Create a Permit and Development Portal account2
- Apply online in the portal (Apply > select the application > add location, type, contacts, more info, attachments, signature > Submit)10
- Pay plan review fees; plans are then routed for review2
- Respond to corrections and resubmit if required2
- Pay the invoice; permit is issued2
- Schedule inspections through the portal2
- CO/CC issued after final inspections (no application needed)2
- Apply online
- Yes, via the Permit and Development Portal (not all permit types)2
Permit expiration and extensions
- How long a permit lasts
- Expires 6 months after issuance if work has not commenced, or if work is discontinued for 12 months5
- Extensions
- Before expiry (prior to first inspection) contact Building Safety at 919-996-2705 or [email protected] for a possible extension; expired permits cannot be reopened3
Inspections in Raleigh
The inspection Raleigh’s published material names. Do not cover work until it has passed (how inspections work).
- Inspections at each stage of construction (per NC Administration and Enforcement Requirements Code and technical codes)11
- How to schedule
- Schedule in the Permit and Development Portal; inspections show 'requested' until the day of inspection2
- Re-inspection fee
- Private development projects which are determined by the City to not be ready or have failed the inspection $123.00 $122.00 Per Inspection Per Trade1
- After the final inspection
- Certificate of Occupancy (new building, change of use, addition, interior completion) same day after last approved inspection; Certificate of Completion next business day for alterations and repairs2
Building without a permit in Raleigh
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it |
|---|---|---|
| Higher permit fee Raleigh UDO § 11.4.8.A | Any person performing work without a required permit12 | Administrative fee equal to the permit fee, paid in addition to the permit fee (effectively 2x)12 |
| Civil penalty Raleigh UDO § 11.4.8.A.2 | Second work-without-permit violation within 12 months12 | $100.00 per trade plus the administrative fee12 |
| Civil penalty Raleigh UDO § 11.4.8.A.3 | Third and each subsequent work-without-permit violation within 12 months12 | $500.00 per trade plus the administrative fee12 |
| Civil penalty Raleigh UDO § 11.4.10 | Violations of the building code as adopted by the City13 | $50.00 civil penalty; additional $25.00 if unpaid within 48 hours and a civil action is instituted13 |
| Daily fine Raleigh UDO § 11.4.10.D | Continuing violations not corrected after written notice13 | $100.00 per day13 |
| Civil penalty Raleigh UDO § 11.4.10.E | Occupying or allowing occupancy without a Certificate of Occupancy or TCO13 | $250.00 initial, then $100.00 per day13 |
| Criminal penalty Raleigh UDO § 1.1.10.D; N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-4 | Violations of the UDO14 | Misdemeanor or infraction per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-4 (maximum allowed by law)14 |
| Removal order Raleigh UDO § 1.1.10.C | Property in violation of the UDO (court order of abatement)14 | Court order of abatement (closure, demolition or removal); City lien for costs14 |
| Investigation fee | Work without a required fire code permit (Raleigh Office of Fire Marshal)1 | $359.00 per inspection (FY27)1 |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner may pull a building permit
- Yes, with an Owner Exemption Affidavit2
- Affidavit or declaration
- Yes2
North Carolina's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the North Carolina permit guide.
North Carolina rules that also apply in Raleigh
- Contractor licensing in North Carolina
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in North Carolina
- Private plan review and inspections in North Carolina
Sources
- Development Fee Guide July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027City of Raleigh, Planning and DevelopmentEffective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Permit Portal: A Quick Reference GuideCity of Raleigh, Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Important Information About Building Permit Expiration (City of Raleigh GovDelivery bulletin)City of Raleigh, Planning and Development (GovDelivery email bulletin)Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential Permit Application (Revision 08-20-2025)City of Raleigh, Planning and DevelopmentRevised August 20, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
- UDO Sec. 11.4.1. Permit RequirementsCity of Raleigh, Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Chapter 11 Building and Housing CodeChecked November 7, 2026
- Codes - Current and Past | OSFMNorth Carolina Department of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Engineering DivisionChecked November 6, 2026
- Codes | OSFMNorth Carolina Department of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Engineering DivisionChecked November 6, 2026
- State Electrical Code and Interpretations | OSFMNorth Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, State Electrical DivisionChecked November 6, 2026
- Update Regarding the Effective Date of the 2024 North Carolina State Building Code (letter to NC code officials)North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal (State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor)Published March 31, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
- Permit Portal Process Guide | 2024 Online Application ProcessCity of Raleigh, Planning and DevelopmentPublished 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- UDO Sec. 11.2.2. Inspection ProcedureCity of Raleigh, Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Chapter 11 Building and Housing CodeChecked November 7, 2026
- UDO Sec. 11.4.8. Permit FeesCity of Raleigh, Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Chapter 11 Building and Housing CodeChecked November 7, 2026
- UDO Sec. 11.4.10. Civil PenaltyCity of Raleigh, Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Chapter 11 Building and Housing CodeChecked November 7, 2026
- UDO Sec. 1.1.10. Penalties and RemediesCity of Raleigh, Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Chapter 11 Building and Housing CodeChecked November 6, 2026