Building permits in Wake County, North Carolina
Of the 9 common home projects we have verified in Wake County, 3 need a permit outright and 6 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources- Project types verified
- 10
- in Wake County
Wake County Permits and Inspections (Planning and Development Services)
- Waverly F. Akins Wake County Office Building, First Floor, 336 Fayetteville St., Raleigh, NC 27602
- Phone: 919-856-6222
- Email: Wake.Permitting@wake.gov
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
- Official fee schedule
Look up a permit in Wake County
Wake County runs an online permit portal. Many local portals let you check application status, search permit records, and view inspection results without calling the office.
What needs a permit in Wake County
Of the 9 common home projects we have verified in Wake County, 3 need a permit outright and 6 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | Not specified | Decks are named in the Residential Additions, Alterations, Accessory Building &... |
| Electrical Permit | It depends | Not specified | 'Residential Trade Permit Fee - $75. |
| Fence Permit | Not confirmed | Not specified | Not published |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | 'Residential Trade Permit Fee - $75. |
| Patio Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Planning and Development Fees, as of 1/1/22: 'Zoning Permit (Land use, Home Occupation &... |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | Not specified | 'Residential Trade Permit Fee - $75. |
| Pool Permit | It depends | water the pool, hot tub or spa is able to hold | Residential Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs & Spas: 'Above-Ground swimming pools hot tubs &... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | Not specified | If a permit is required the work falls under Residential Additions, Alterations... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | any dimension of the detached accessory building | Under Residential Additions, Alterations, Accessory Building & Structures: 'Residential... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Solar panels are named in the Residential Additions, Alterations, Accessory Building &... |
Planning a project in Wake County?
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?
Planning several things at once? Check your whole project