Davidson, North Carolina Building Permit Guide

In Davidson the Town’s Planning Department approves a building or sign permit against its Planning Ordinance first, then Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement reviews, issues and inspects the building and trade permits. The Town’s FY 2027 fee for a new detached house is $100, paid when you submit, and County fees are billed separately.

What requires a permit in Davidson?

Davidson’s permit form covers new residences, accessory structures, demolitions, pools, garages, sheds, commercial upfits, retaining walls and solar panels. Signs and temporary uses have their own Town permits. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits come from Mecklenburg County; Davidson does not handle electrical permitting.

Fences need no Town permit but must meet the Planning Ordinance. Removing a tree larger than twelve inches in diameter at breast height needs a Town permit, and such a tree must be shown on the building permit application if the project removes it.

Davidson building department: who handles permitting

For projects going into Mecklenburg County’s Electronic Plan Management (EPM) system, Davidson requires a joint pre-submittal meeting with the applicant, Davidson Planning and Mecklenburg County. The Town says skipping it will delay project intake. Davidson does not handle electrical permitting at all; every electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit is a County permit.

Davidson permit types and filing path

The Town issues its own building, sign, temporary use and tree permits. Mecklenburg County issues the building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits.

• Building — New construction, additions, structural alterations and covered renovations.
• Trades — Electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC and related system work when a separate trade permit is required.
• Planning / zoning — Use, setbacks, site layout, signs and development approvals administered by the applicable local planning authority.
• Site / specialty — Tree removal permits, and demolition rules in the Village Infill Planning Area.

Permit fees in Davidson

The Town’s fee is due when the permit is submitted. These are the planning permit fees in the approved FY 2027 fee schedule:

Mecklenburg County building and trade permit fees are separate and set by the County’s LUESA fee ordinance.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas permits

Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits are filed with Mecklenburg County. The Town’s EV charging guide shows how this works in practice: homeowners use the County’s homeowner permitting process and an electrical application, while contractors log in to AccelaMeck and choose a residential or commercial electrical permit for the charger. Building, electrical, heating and air-conditioning, and plumbing work each need a separate County permit.

Alliance handles electrical permit filing for contractors here. More on this: who pulls the electrical permit.

Application documents and plan review

Print the Town permit form, attach a detailed plot plan, site plan or sketch plan where needed, and submit it through the Planning Department Submittal Form website, by mail, or at Town Hall. Davidson does not accept permits by fax or email. The approved permit is emailed back to you for the County submission.

On the County side, plan review is needed for new one- and two-family homes, townhouses, accessory dwelling units, enclosed additions that enlarge the footprint by 100 sq ft or more, extra storeys, and renovations over $175,000 that change the structure. Mecklenburg County aims to review one- and two-family house plans within seven days on average. To change details on a Town permit after it is filed, use the Town’s Permit Update Form.

Before you file

• 01 — Check that the parcel is inside Davidson’s zoning jurisdiction.
• 02 — Prepare the plot plan or site plan, and show any tree over twelve inches in diameter that will be removed.
• 03 — For projects going into EPM, book the joint pre-submittal meeting with Davidson Planning and Mecklenburg County.
• 04 — Have the Town permit fee ready; it is due at submission.

How to apply — 6-step Davidson workflow

Inspections and closeout in Davidson

Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement performs building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing inspections in Davidson. Request them through AccelaMeck or by calling 980-314-CODE and choosing option 2 and then 2 again; results are posted online as soon as the inspector logs them in the field.

Contractors who need a fixed time can book the County’s paid Inspections by Appointment, or Overtime Inspections for evenings and weekends, and some re-inspections can be done by live video.

Local details that matter in Davidson

In the Village Infill Planning Area, a detached house may be demolished only if it is replaced with a residential dwelling unit, and the demolition permit must include an approved building permit.

Trees: no tree larger than twelve inches in diameter at breast height may be removed without a Town permit. Show any such tree on the building permit application if the project removes it, or file a separate tree permit if not; where trees must be replaced by payment, the fee in lieu is $6 per square foot.

Historic districts: Certificates of Appropriateness cost $75 for residential work and $100 or $500 for minor or major commercial work, and an approved COA waives the sign permit fee.

Fences: no Town permit is needed, but fences must meet Section 4.3.1.D of the Planning Ordinance.

Homeowner permits: owners doing their own work through the County must own the house, be on the deed and live there. For work of $40,000 or more the County requires a bond account and an Owner Exemption Affidavit.

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.

• NC Office of State Fire Marshal — current codes
• Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement
• Davidson development applications
• Town of Davidson permits
• Town of Davidson FY 2027 fee schedule
• Davidson EV charging permitting guide
• Mecklenburg County: when you need a permit
• Mecklenburg County homeowner permitting

Davidson permit FAQ

Who issues Davidson building permits?

Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement administers building-code permitting and inspections; Davidson separately handles its planning and zoning approvals.

Does Davidson require a pre-submittal meeting?

For projects submitted to Mecklenburg County through EPM, the Town says a joint pre-submittal meeting with Davidson Planning and Mecklenburg County is required.

Where do I start a Davidson project?

With the Town’s permit form. The Town approves it first, then you submit the approved permit to Mecklenburg County.

Who inspects construction in Davidson?

Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement performs building-code inspections.

Are planning and building fees paid to the same agency?

No. Davidson permit fees are paid to the Town when the permit is submitted; Mecklenburg County building and trade fees are paid to the County.

How much is the Town permit for a new house in Davidson?

$100 under the FY 2027 schedule, or $50 for an accessory structure, addition or alteration. Mecklenburg County building and trade fees come on top.

Do I need a permit for a fence or shed in Davidson?

Fences need no Town permit but must meet the Planning Ordinance. Sheds are on the Town building permit form, and the County decides whether a building permit is also needed.

Can I email my permit to the Town?

No. Submit it through the Planning Department Submittal Form website, by mail or at Town Hall; fax and email are not accepted.

Simplify Davidson 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 Davidson permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.