What you need to know before beginning a project.

Before you start a home renovation project, whether it’s a new kitchen, an updated family room or a new sunroom, check to see if you need a building permit. Generally, a building permit is required for ANY construction, installation, repair, replacement or alteration costing more than $20,000. A permit is also required, no matter what the cost, if the work involves the addition, repair or replacement of load bearing members or structures, the addition of plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment.

Examples of work requiring a permit:

• Decks, carports and garages of any size

• Backyard storage buildings exceeding 12 feet in any dimension

• Room additions, finishing an unfinished attic space

• Relocating or installing new light fixtures that add to the electrical system

• Replacing and reconnecting furnaces, etc.

• Adding to or modifying the heating and air conditioning system

• Adding an additional sink or water closet or modifying the plumbing system

• Replacing a water heater of another type

• Backflow device on landscape irrigation systems

• Kitchen cabinet replacement that changes the configuration or exceeds $20,000

• Structural repair, i.e. floor joists, sub-floor, roof sheathing, headers, piers, footings

Repair of non-load bearing components and non-structural repairs

• Replacement of windows and doors if they remain in the same location and are the same size

• Repairing pickets, railings, stair treads and decking on exterior decks, porches and balconies

• Any plumbing equipment or fixture/fitting replacement which does not change equipment size or system capacity. Includes water and drain lines replacement of same size

• Like-for-like water heater replacement as long as it remains in the same location (to be done by a licensed contractor only)

• Vinyl siding replacement, as long as the total cost doesn’t exceed $20,000*

• Roofing replacement that does not exceed $20,000, uses the same type of materials and no structural work is performed

• Repair/replacement of dishwashers, disposals, water heaters, electrical devices or light fixtures provided that the work does not include the addition or relocation of wiring (to be done by a licensed contractor only)

*Local ordinances may require review by local government for exterior work.

Please contact your local zoning department for more information.

Registered contractors can use our online portal. Permits by individuals can be found online and turned into the Pasquotank County Planning and Inspections Department located in the Pasquotank County Courthouse, 206 E Main St, Elizabeth City.

The following is an outline of the different types of inspections the County provides and a schedule of when they are to be performed throughout the construction process as required by the North Carolina State Building Code. "This is not intended to be a complete list of items to be checked nor does it certify proper operation of equipment or systems." Depending on the size or complexity of your project, you may not need as many or possibly more inspections that are listed below.

Inspections:

1. Footing Inspection

To be made after the trenches are excavated, all grade stakes are installed, all reinforcing steel and supports are in place and appropriately tied, all necessary forms are in place and braced and before any concrete is placed.

2. Under Slab Inspection for Habitable Spaces

To be made after all forms have been placed, all electrical, plumbing and/or heating and air conditioning facilities, all crushed stone, a vapor retarder, insulation, all reinforcing steel with supports and tied and/or all welded wire fabric is installed, when required, and before any concrete is placed.

3. Foundation Inspection

To be made after all foundation supports are installed. This inspection is to check foundation supports, crawl space leveling, ground clearances, and positive drainage, where required.

4. Rough-In and Framing Inspection

To be made on parts of the electrical, plumbing, heating/ventilation, or cooling system that will be hidden from view in the finished building after all parts of the building framing are in place, but before any wall, ceiling finish, or building insulation is installed. To be made after the roof wall, ceiling, and floor framing is complete with appropriate blocking, bracing and fire stopping in place. The following items should be in place and visible for inspection:

1. Pipes
2. Chimneys and vents
3. Flashing for roofs, chimneys and wall openings
4. Insulation baffles
5. All lintels required to be bolted to the framing for support shall not be covered by any interior or exterior wall or ceiling finish materials before approval. Work may continue without approval for lintels which are bolted and supported on masonry or concrete.

The 2018 North Carolina Bulding Codes with North Carolina amendments, effective January 1, 2019.

You may call our office at 252-335-1891 and ask to speak with the Code Enforcement Officer.

You can also fill out our online form.

Reports can not be anonymous.

Search for you property on the Pasquotank County Parce Information Search. Click on “Maps”. There should be a map with the zoning. Please note if it says “County” or “City”. Pasquotank County Planning and Inspections is responsible for parcels zoned in the county. Please contact the City of Elizabeth City Community Development Office if the zoning indicates it is “City”.

Please see Section 9.01 of the Zoning Ordinance. The applicable section is excerpted here, however this does not supercede any changes made in the current Zoning Ordinance.