Beaufort County, North Carolina Building Permit Guide

Outside the City of Washington, its ETJ and Washington Park, Beaufort County building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas permits are issued by the county Inspections Department, 220 North Market Street, Washington (252-946-7182). Applicants file the county permit application with the health department permit number and each subcontractor’s licence, and a permit lapses if work has not started within 6 months.

What requires a permit in Beaufort County?

The county inspects any building or structure, and the work in it, for which a permit has been issued: its location, design, materials, equipment, construction, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, removal and occupancy, including manufactured homes. The county application and its one-time permit form show what is permitted:

New development is also subject to the county’s Tar-Pamlico Stormwater Ordinance, and sites in a mapped flood zone fall under the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance effective June 19, 2020. CAMA minor permits in the county and its towns are written by the Division of Coastal Management’s Washington field office, except inside the City of Washington, which has its own local permit officer (252-975-9334).

Who handles permitting in Beaufort County?

The county Inspections Department enforces state and local laws and county ordinances within the county’s jurisdiction; Brandon Hayes is the Lead Building Inspector. Planning, including land use planning, zoning and ordinance work, is provided through a Mid-East Commission planner (252-974-1829) at the same Market Street office.

The towns are handled differently:

• Washington: the city’s Inspections Division enforces the state building code for everything inside the city limits and its extraterritorial jurisdiction, from plan review and permits to electrical, mechanical, gas and plumbing inspections and certificates of occupancy. It also administers the city’s flood prevention ordinance. City Hall: 252-975-9300.
• Chocowinity: the town issues zoning compliance permits ($75 residential, $100 commercial under its 2021 fees) through a Mid-East Commission planner (252-974-1810).
• Washington Park: the Town contracts with the City of Washington for building inspections, so building permits come from the City (252-975-9334). Any construction, down to fences, driveways, generators and HVAC units, first needs a letter of compliance from the Town Clerk, who is the zoning officer (252-946-3157).
• Aurora: the Town Code assigns building permits and inspections to the County and keeps zoning compliance certificates with the Town; Town Hall is at 295 Main Street (252-322-4611).
• Bath: the Town’s own application form covers a building permit or a zoning compliance certificate, with a $50 filing fee, and work in the historic district needs a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic District board. The Town’s pages do not say which office makes building inspections.
• Belhaven: the town has its own zoning code, but the published sources do not say who issues building permits there; ask Town Hall, 315 East Main Street (252-943-3055).
• Pantego: no official town website was found, and the county pages do not list which towns it serves; ask the town clerk before applying.

Trade permits and county forms

On the county permit application, each trade has its own block: building and insulation, electrical, mechanical and plumbing, each with the contractor’s name, licence number and the cost of that part of the work. For a single job such as an HVAC change-out, a new circuit or a gas line, the county uses its one-time building permit application, which also covers a building and fire inspection.

Other county forms published with the application:

• E-911 Address Application for a new address
• Appendix F, the owner exemption affidavit for owners acting as their own contractor; on the one-time form the owner also certifies the structure is not being built to sell
• Appendix H, the affidavit for an existing on-site wastewater system
• Contractor/Subcontractor Change Form when a contractor on the permit changes

The county does not post a building permit fee schedule online.

How to apply for a Beaufort County building permit

Inspections in Beaufort County

County inspectors visit each permitted job as often as needed to check the work against the state building codes, and may inspect materials and assemblies at the factory or fabrication shop. Request inspections through the Inspections Department at 252-946-7182.

In the City of Washington, inspections are requested through the city’s Inspections Public Portal; a same-day inspection must be left on the city’s request voice line before 8:00 a.m., and later requests are scheduled for the next day.

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

Beaufort County permit search and official resources

Beaufort County, City of Washington and town pages behind this guide.

• Beaufort County Inspections
• Beaufort County permitting overview
• County permit application
• One-time building permit application
• E-911 address application
• Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (June 19, 2020)
• Beaufort County stormwater regulations
• Beaufort County Planning
• City of Washington Inspections Division
• Town of Chocowinity planning and zoning

Beaufort County permit FAQ

Who issues building permits in Beaufort County?

The Beaufort County Inspections Department, 220 North Market Street, Washington (252-946-7182), except inside the City of Washington, its ETJ and the Town of Washington Park, where the city’s Inspections Division issues them.

Do I need a separate permit for each trade?

The county application lists the electrical, mechanical and plumbing contractors with the building permit; a one-time application is used for a single trade job such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical or gas work.

How long is a Beaufort County permit valid?

Work must start within 6 months of issue, and the permit is void if work stops for a year.

Can a homeowner build without a licensed contractor?

Yes, by filing the Appendix F owner exemption affidavit and certifying the structure is not being built to sell.

How do I book an inspection in Washington?

Through the city’s Inspections Public Portal; for a same-day inspection, leave the request on the city’s voice line before 8:00 a.m.

Does Chocowinity need its own approval?

Yes, a town zoning compliance permit: $75 for residential and $100 for commercial projects.

Simplify Beaufort County 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.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Beaufort County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.