Most Archdale projects need two permits: a $40 zoning permit from the City of Archdale Planning & Zoning Department, then building and trade permits from Randolph County Building Inspections, which serves the City in both Randolph and Guilford counties. County permits are applied for through ePermits, and building work valued up to $20,000 carries the $60 minimum fee.
What requires a permit in Archdale?
Archdale requires a zoning permit for new buildings, accessory structures such as sheds and carports, external additions, in-ground pools, solar panels, permanent signs, and new concrete or asphalt driveways that cut into a City street or curb. Fences, above-ground pools, interior renovations, gravel driveways, and electrical and plumbing work need no zoning permit, but many of them still need a Randolph County building permit.
Archdale building department: who handles permitting
Randolph County Building Inspections issues the building permit. Archdale says the County issues building permits for sites in the City’s zoning jurisdiction in both Randolph and Guilford counties, and performs the inspections on the City’s behalf. The County department reviews construction plans, issues building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits, releases electric and gas utilities and issues certificates of occupancy.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Archdale Planning & Zoning | 307 Balfour Drive, Archdale, NC 27263 · 336-431-1232 |
| Archdale Planning Director | Jason Miller, 336-434-7334 |
| Randolph County Building Inspections | 204 East Academy Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 · 336-318-6565 |
| County Inspections Director | David Bryant, 336-318-6366 |
| County plans review | 336-318-6560 |
| County hours | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Inspectors can be reached 8–9 a.m. and 4–5 p.m. |
| County portal | ePermits (account set-up help: 336-318-6595) |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Archdale permit types and filing path
Archdale’s zoning permit types are General Zoning (new construction and additions to outside square footage), Signs, Driveway (City-maintained roads) and Energy Systems (single-home solar and wind). Randolph County issues the building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits, and each one has its own permit number.
Randolph County takes permit applications in person, by email or online. Its published forms are the General Construction, Demolition and Consultation permit applications; separate Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing applications; an Affidavit of Unlicensed Property Owner for owners doing their own work; a Farm Exemption Affidavit; an Energy Certificate; and a Temporary Power or Occupancy Request Form.
Single-home solar and wind systems take the City’s Energy Systems permit. Larger energy systems need a special use permit and City Council approval.
Permit fees in Archdale
City zoning permit: every Archdale zoning permit type is currently $40. Pay through the City’s online payment portal, or in person by cash, check or money order made out to The City of Archdale; your staff contact arranges a drop-off time, and payments must not go in the outdoor utility mailbox. Water and sewer taps are on the City’s separate schedule of fees.
County building permit: Randolph County’s fee schedule, effective July 1, 2026, prices building permits on construction value. New construction is valued from the latest International Code Council Building Valuation Data; renovations may be valued another way with the Director’s approval.
| Project | Fee |
|---|---|
| Building permit, value up to $20,000 | $60 minimum |
| Building permit, value above $20,000 | $3 per $1,000 of value |
| Mobile home set-up (all trades, decks and porches) | $150 |
| Modular home set-up or moved home (all trades, decks and porches) | $500 |
| Commercial demolition | $150 |
| Consultation inspection (daycare, ABC licence, change of occupancy) | $100 |
| Rejection fee (failed inspection) | $30 residential, $60 commercial |
| Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (90 days max) | $50 residential, $100 commercial |
| Re-open an expired permit (up to 6 years old) | $30 per permit |
| Permit issued after work started | Double the fee |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →After-hours inspections, when an inspector is available, cost $75 each for residential work and $150 for commercial work, with weekend and holiday visits charged the base fee plus the same amount again.
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas permits
Randolph County inspects building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and insulation work. Since May 1, 2021 each trade has its own permit number, so give the inspection type and the matching permit number when you schedule.
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Electrical service, 0–200 A | $60 |
| Electrical service, 201–400 A | $120 |
| Electrical service, 401–600 A | $240 |
| Plumbing | $60 base; over 15 fixtures, $2 per fixture plus the base |
| Heating and air-conditioning, up to 2 units | $60 |
| Residential temporary power | $50 |
Commercial buildings over 100,000 sq ft pay an extra $0.02 per sq ft on top of the electrical service fee. The County releases electric and gas service to the utility once the work passes inspection.
Alliance handles electrical permit applications for contractors here. More on this: who pulls the electrical permit.
Application documents and plan review
For zoning applications sent by mail or left in the drop box outside City Hall, Archdale asks for the project’s location on the lot (distance from lot lines and other buildings), the address or parcel ID, the project’s dimensions and your contact details.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Once staff confirm the zoning application is complete, you pay the fee, receive the permit, sign it and send back a signed copy. The City says permits may take a few days because of current staff workloads. Randolph County keeps the building and trade records in ePermits.
Before you file
- 01 — Check whether the project needs an Archdale zoning permit.
- 02 — Have the address or parcel ID, the project dimensions and its distance from lot lines.
- 03 — Set up a Randolph County ePermits account.
- 04 — Have general contractor and subcontractor details ready for the trade permits.
How to apply — 6-step Archdale workflow
Use Archdale’s permit list to see whether the project needs a General Zoning, Sign, Driveway or Energy Systems permit.
Fill out the City application. Staff contact you with questions and tell you when the application is complete.
Pay the $40 fee, then sign the permit the City sends and return a signed copy.
Use Randolph County ePermits for the building and trade permits.
Respond to County review comments in the same ePermits record.
Contact the County inspector for your area by midnight the day before, with the permit number ready.
Inspections and closeout in Archdale
Randolph County performs building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and insulation inspections in Archdale. Contact the inspector for your project area by midnight the day before the inspection and have the permit number ready; requests can also be made through ePermits.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →The County offers live remote inspections by video call for some items, including water and sewer trenches up to 100 feet, shower pans, porch columns, rooftop solar, HVAC without gas, and re-inspections of up to four non-life-safety violations. You need WhatsApp, a strong 4G signal at the site and the tools and documents the inspector asks for, and should allow up to 30 minutes. The inspector can still require a site visit.
A failed inspection carries a rejection fee of $30 for residential work or $60 for commercial work. The County issues the Certificate of Occupancy after final inspections.
Local details that matter in Archdale
Driveways on City-maintained roads need an Archdale driveway permit. Properties on state-maintained roads do not need the City permit but may need an encroachment agreement from NCDOT.
Sheds and accessory buildings: Randolph County requires a building permit for an accessory building with any side longer than 12 feet, after the City zoning permit. Under the County’s guideline, a one-storey building up to 400 sq ft can sit on a wood mud sill instead of a masonry or concrete foundation if it is anchored at each corner, and the inspector checks it once it is built, before the inside is finished.
North Carolina building code
The 2018 North Carolina State Building Code family applies statewide, with the 2020 North Carolina Electrical Code; one- and two-family homes and townhouses still use the 2017 edition. The 2024 code has been delayed and cannot take effect before late 2027. The NC State Building Code and the delayed 2024 edition
Official permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →- NC OSFM current codes
- Randolph County Permitting
- Randolph County Building Inspections
- Archdale permit submission guidance
- Archdale individual-lot permitting
- Randolph County ePermits
- Randolph County permit fee schedule (July 1, 2026)
- Randolph County live remote inspection policy
- Randolph County accessory building guideline (up to 400 sq ft)
Archdale permit FAQ
Who issues building permits in Archdale?
Randolph County Building Inspections issues the building permits for Archdale.
Does that also apply to Archdale property in Guilford County?
Yes. Archdale’s official permitting page states that Randolph County handles building permits for the City’s zoning jurisdiction in both Randolph and Guilford counties.
Who handles zoning?
The City of Archdale Planning & Zoning Department handles the City zoning permit and local zoning review.
What trades does Randolph County inspect?
Randolph County lists building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and insulation among the inspection disciplines it performs.
How are inspections scheduled?
Randolph County directs applicants to contact the appropriate inspector by midnight the day before and provide the permit number.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How much is a building permit in Archdale?
Two fees apply: the City’s $40 zoning permit and Randolph County’s building permit, which is $60 for work valued up to $20,000; above that the County charges $3 per $1,000 of value. Trade permits start at $60 each.
Do I need a permit for a shed in Archdale?
Yes, a City zoning permit for any accessory structure, and a Randolph County building permit if any side is longer than 12 feet.
Do I need a permit for a fence or an interior remodel?
Fences and interior renovations need no Archdale zoning permit. Renovations, electrical and plumbing work usually still need a Randolph County building or trade permit.
How long does an Archdale zoning permit take?
The City says permits may take a few days to complete because of current staff workloads.
Simplify Archdale permitting with Alliance Permitting
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in North Carolina. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
Ready to break ground in Archdale sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Archdale permits while your crew stays on the job.
More North Carolina permitting guides
Clayton
Read guide →Davidson
Read guide →Elizabeth City
Read guide →Ashe County Building Permit Guide
Read guide →Asheboro Building Permit Guide
Read guide →Asheville Building Permit Guide
Read guide →This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Archdale permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.