Electrical Permit in Greensboro, North Carolina
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Before adding, replacing or redesigning electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment, other than a like-kind swap of a device or lighting fixture.
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Greensboro requires a separate electrical permit for each trade on a job, and says so plainly: all electrical, plumbing and mechanical work needs a separate permit for each trade. The exemption it publishes is the narrow statutory one, carried word for word onto its own Residential Construction page: adding, replacing or changing the design of electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment needs a permit other than like-kind replacement of electrical devices and lighting fixtures. Swapping a receptacle, a switch or a light fixture for the same thing is therefore exempt, while a service change, a new circuit or a panel change is not. A homeowner may pull the permit for electrical work on a house they own and live in if they sign an affidavit, do the work themselves, and the house is not for sale or lease at the time of the request.
Who is pulling this permit?
Apply yourself
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
When a permit is usually needed
Before adding, replacing or redesigning electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment, other than a like-kind swap of a device or lighting fixture.
What an electrical permit costs in Greensboro
How Greensboro compares in North Carolina
No North Carolina jurisdiction we have verified sets a size threshold for this permit, so what actually differs between them is the fee.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | It depends | Electrical permits are charged as a trade permit under the LUESA Fee Ordinance... |
| Greensborothis page | It depends | Electrical Permit Fee Schedule, Document #4100 dated 7/16/24: 'Minimum Permit... |
| Mecklenburg County | Permit required | Electrical trade permit priced off total construction value with a $59.70... |
| Wake County | It depends | 'Residential Trade Permit Fee - $75. |
How to apply in Greensboro
In most US jurisdictions, the property owner or a licensed electrician applies for an electrical permit before work starts, describing the scope of work and the property and typically attaching plans. Some minor, like-for-like electrical repairs are commonly exempt, and once issued the permit is kept on site until the job is finished.
What most electrical permit applications include:
- Before any electrical work begins, the owner or an authorized agent must first apply to the building official and obtain the required permit (IRC R105.1).
- The written application must identify and describe the electrical work covered by the permit and describe the property, such as by street address, well enough to locate the job (IRC R105.3).
- The application must be accompanied by construction documents (plans) and any other information the permit office requires, and must be signed by the applicant or an authorized agent (IRC R105.3).
- Certain minor or like-for-like electrical jobs, such as replacing a branch-circuit breaker of the required capacity in the same location, are commonly exempt from needing a separate permit (IRC R105.2).
- Once issued, the building permit or a copy of it must be kept at the job site until the project is complete (IRC R105.7).
General submittal guidance from International Residential Code (IRC), Section R105, Permits (2015 and 2021 editions, as locally adopted). Source. City of Greensboro Engineering and Inspections Department, Development Services Division (Building Inspections) sets the exact checklist for Greensboro.
Where to apply in Greensboro:
City of Greensboro Engineering and Inspections Department, Development Services Division (Building Inspections)
- Development Services, Melvin Municipal Office Building, Upper Ground Level, Room UG10, 300 W. Washington St., Greensboro, NC 27401
- Phone: 336-373-2155
- Email: DevelopmentServices2@greensboro-nc.gov
Inspections and closing out your permit
Electrical work under a permit is inspected at least twice: a rough-in inspection of the wiring before it is covered by drywall or insulation, and a final inspection once all devices, panels, and labeling are complete. Inspectors also check specific safety items along the way, such as GFCI and AFCI protection, panel circuit directories, and the service disconnect location.
- A rough-in inspection of the electrical wiring is required before it is covered or concealed by insulation, drywall, or other finish material, and before fixtures or appliances are set (IRC R109.1.2).
- The framing inspection cannot proceed until the plumbing, mechanical, and electrical rough-in inspections have all been approved (IRC R109.1.4).
- Ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection is checked at receptacles in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, crawl spaces, outdoors, and other damp or wet locations (NEC 210.8(A)).
- Arc-fault circuit-interrupter (AFCI) protection is verified on branch circuits serving bedrooms, living areas, and most other habitable rooms (NEC 210.12(A)).
- Panelboards must carry a circuit directory that legibly and specifically identifies the purpose of each circuit, not a vague label (NEC 408.4).
- The service disconnect must be installed in a readily accessible location, either outside the structure or just inside the point where the service conductors enter (NEC 230.70).
- A final inspection is made only after all permitted electrical work is complete, and the wiring cannot be used or the space occupied until it passes (IRC R109.1.6).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Greensboro permit portal or by phone at 336-373-2155.
Inspection sequence from International Residential Code (IRC), Section R109, Required Inspections, and NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC), 2020 and 2023 editions. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Electrical Permit checklist for Greensboro
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Usually needed: Before adding, replacing or redesigning electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment, other than a like-kind swap of a device or lighting fixture.
- Budget the fee. Electrical Permit Fee Schedule, Document #4100 dated 7/16/24: 'Minimum Permit Fee 85.00'. Service changes are priced by size, '100 Amp. Service 74.00 ea.', '200 Amp. Service 99.00 ea.', '400 Amp. Service 131.00 ea.', with 'Over 400 Amp. Service 0.10 each additional amp'. Devices are per unit: 'Outlets (receptacles, switches, etc.) 0.30 ea.', 'Panel 10.00 ea.', 'Water Heater 10.00 ea.', 'Residential Swimming Pool 65.00 ea.' 'Extra Inspection Fee, First Follow-up 45.00'. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In most US jurisdictions, the property owner or a licensed electrician applies for an electrical permit before work starts, describing the scope of work and the property and typically attaching plans. Some minor, like-for-like electrical repairs are commonly exempt, and once issued the permit is kept on site until the job is finished. Start at the Greensboro permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. City of Greensboro Engineering and Inspections Department, Development Services Division (Building Inspections). Phone: 336-373-2155. Address: Development Services, Melvin Municipal Office Building, Upper Ground Level, Room UG10, 300 W. Washington St., Greensboro, NC 27401.
- Plan for inspections. Electrical work under a permit is inspected at least twice: a rough-in inspection of the wiring before it is covered by drywall or insulation, and a final inspection once all devices, panels, and labeling are complete. Inspectors also check specific safety items along the way, such as GFCI and AFCI protection, panel circuit directories, and the service disconnect location.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need an electrical permit in Greensboro?
- Greensboro requires a separate electrical permit for each trade on a job, and says so plainly: all electrical, plumbing and mechanical work needs a separate permit for each trade. The exemption it publishes is the narrow statutory one, carried word for word onto its own Residential Construction page: adding, replacing or changing the design of electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment needs a permit other than like-kind replacement of electrical devices and lighting fixtures. Swapping a receptacle, a switch or a light fixture for the same thing is therefore exempt, while a service change, a new circuit or a panel change is not. A homeowner may pull the permit for electrical work on a house they own and live in if they sign an affidavit, do the work themselves, and the house is not for sale or lease at the time of the request. Always confirm with the City of Greensboro Engineering and Inspections Department, Development Services Division (Building Inspections) before starting.
- How much does an electrical permit cost in Greensboro?
- Electrical Permit Fee Schedule, Document #4100 dated 7/16/24: 'Minimum Permit Fee 85.00'. Service changes are priced by size, '100 Amp. Service 74.00 ea.', '200 Amp. Service 99.00 ea.', '400 Amp. Service 131.00 ea.', with 'Over 400 Amp. Service 0.10 each additional amp'. Devices are per unit: 'Outlets (receptacles, switches, etc.) 0.30 ea.', 'Panel 10.00 ea.', 'Water Heater 10.00 ea.', 'Residential Swimming Pool 65.00 ea.' 'Extra Inspection Fee, First Follow-up 45.00'. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for an electrical permit in Greensboro?
- You can apply through the Greensboro permit portal or contact the City of Greensboro Engineering and Inspections Department, Development Services Division (Building Inspections) directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull an electrical permit themselves in Greensboro?
- Under North Carolina law (N.C. Gen. Stat. 87-1(a), 87-1(b)(2), 87-14(a)(1), 160D-1113, 160D-1115): A North Carolina homeowner may pull the permit and do the work. G.S. 87-1(a) reaches general contracting only where the cost of the undertaking is $40,000 or more, and G.S. 87-1(b)(2) then exempts a person who constructs or alters a building on land that person owns, provided the building is intended solely for occupancy by that person and his family after completion and the person complies with G.S. 87-14. There is no outright ban on selling, but there is a look-back that works like one: if the building is not occupied solely by the person and his family for at least 12 months following completion, the statute presumes the person did not intend the building solely for that occupancy, which defeats the exemption. G.S. 87-14(a)(1) requires an owner claiming the exemption to execute a verified affidavit attesting that they own the property, that they will personally superintend and manage all aspects of the construction and will not delegate that duty to anyone unlicensed, and that they will be personally present for all inspections required by the State Building Code unless a licensed architect sealed the plans. The inspector transmits that affidavit to the Licensing Board, and if the Board determines the exemption was not available the building permit is revoked under G.S. 160D-1115. The exemption removes the general contractor license requirement only. It does not exempt the work from permits or inspections, and G.S. 160D-1113 provides that when a permit is held by an owner exempt under 87-1(b)(2), no inspection may be conducted without the owner present unless an architect sealed the plans. Confirm how Greensboro applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Greensboro
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | Not specified | Building Permit Fee Schedule, Document #1005 dated 12/19/24: 'Minimum permit fee - $85'. |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Mechanical Permit Fee Schedule, Document #4200 dated 7/16/24: 'Minimum Inspection Fee $... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Not specified | Building Permit Fee Schedule, Document #1005 dated 12/19/24: 'Minimum permit fee - $85'. |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | Not specified | Plumbing Permit Fee Schedule, Document #4300 dated 7/16/24: 'Minimum Permit/Inspection... |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Building Permit Fee Schedule, Document #1005 dated 12/19/24: 'Minimum permit fee - $85'. |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | cost of the construction, installation, repair, replacement or alteration | Building Permit Fee Schedule, Document #1005 dated 12/19/24: 'Minimum permit fee - $85'. |
| Shed Permit | It depends | length, width or height of the accessory building | Building Permit Fee Schedule, Document #1005 dated 12/19/24: 'Minimum permit fee - $85'. |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Building Permit Fee Schedule, Document #1005 dated 12/19/24: 'Minimum permit fee - $85'. |
Electrical Permit in other North Carolina localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Greensboro documents; the office above sets the local rules.
Verified by a person against the sources above on , not confirmed with City of Greensboro Engineering and Inspections Department, Development Services Division (Building Inspections). Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Electrical Permit requirements across North Carolina localities
Permit office
City of Greensboro Engineering and Inspections Department, Development Services Division (Building Inspections)
336-373-2155Permit portal