The Town of Elon handles zoning and land use, and its Planning Director signs each building permit as zoning official; Alamance County Inspections, under contract with the Town, then issues the building and trade permits and inspects the work. A new house up to 1,500 gross sq ft costs $525 with all trades included under the County’s July 2026 fees, and permits are issued within 48 hours of plan review approval.
What requires a permit in Elon?
Elon requires a land use zoning application for most construction, including any shed, carport, garage or other accessory structure. Building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work also needs Alamance County permits.
Newly installed fences also need a Town fence permit before construction, with a site plan and a list of materials. Temporary storage pods need a $60 temporary use permit and can stay for up to 90 days, and a driveway permit costs $50.
Check the boundary. An Elon mailing address does not always mean Town jurisdiction. Alamance County asks applicants to verify the address through the County GIS website, and Burlington issues its own permits inside Burlington city limits.
Elon building department: who handles permitting
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Building authority | Alamance County Inspections, 1946 Martin St., Burlington, NC 27217 |
| Contact | 336-290-0404 |
| County hours | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; permits issued 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Plan review and permit requests | planreview@alamance-nc.com |
| Town of Elon Planning, Zoning & Development Services | 104 S Williamson Ave, Elon, NC 27244 · 336-584-3601 · Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
Alamance County Inspections serves the unincorporated county and the towns of Elon, Gibsonville, Green Level, Haw River, Swepsonville and Ossipee and the Village of Alamance. The Town’s FAQ still lists the County’s former office on West Elm Street in Graham; the County has moved its Planning, Inspections, GIS and Environmental Health offices to 1946 Martin Street in Burlington.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Elon permit types and filing path
The Town reviews zoning, sign, fence and home occupation permits, site plans and subdivisions. Alamance County issues the building permit and the electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits.
Building permit route: Town Planning Director sign-off, then Alamance County Inspections.
Alamance County takes permit and plan review requests by email at planreview@alamance-nc.com and accepts plans only in PDF format. Applying online or requesting inspections online needs a County online account.
Permit fees in Elon
Elon’s land use zoning application carries a $60 processing fee, and Town planning and permit fees can be paid online. All building permit fees are paid to Alamance County, whose 2026–27 fee schedule took effect on July 1, 2026. Residential fees are based on gross square footage, which counts every floored area under roof, including porches, garages, storage areas and basements.
| Project | Fee |
|---|---|
| New house, duplex, townhouse or modular, up to 1,500 gross sq ft (trades included) | $525 |
| New house over 1,500 gross sq ft (trades included) | $0.36 per sq ft |
| New house with a fire sprinkler system | $0.20 per gross sq ft, $400 minimum |
| Addition or renovation up to 800 sq ft | $175 + trade fees per trip |
| Addition or renovation 801–1,200 sq ft | $250 + trade fees per trip |
| Addition or renovation over 1,200 sq ft | $0.25 per sq ft + trade fees |
| Accessory building, garage or workshop | $0.25 per gross sq ft, $110 minimum (trades extra) |
| Deck (any size) | $150 |
| Swimming pool, hot tub or spa | $110 |
| Demolition | $90 |
| Residential plan review, new home | $110 (credited toward the permit) |
| Plan review, addition, remodel, accessory building or solar | $75 |
| Homeowners Recovery Fund (licensed GC) | $10 |
| Minimum permit | $75 |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →All County fees must be paid before an inspection can be requested. An expired permit can be renewed for 50% of the original fee within 90 days of expiring.
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas permits
Alamance County Inspections issues and inspects electrical, plumbing and mechanical work in Elon, as well as the building permit. A new house includes its trade permits in the square-foot fee; other jobs pay per trade.
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Electrical service | $0.25 per amp |
| Temporary power or service change | $90 |
| HVAC change-out or installation, one system | $90 |
| HVAC, two or more systems | $110 |
| Gas logs, gas piping or ductwork | $90 |
| Plumbing rough-in | $90 for the first fixture, $5 for each additional |
| Water heater change-out | $90 |
| Solar, roof or ground mounted | $150 / $180 |
Alliance handles electrical permit filing for contractors here. More on this: who pulls the electrical permit.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Application documents and plan review
Fill out the building permit completely and include a survey or accurate sketch for the Town Planning Director’s review. Once the Town approves it, send the permit and drawings to Alamance County. The County says permits are issued within 48 hours after plan review approval.
Alamance County will not accept an incomplete application: every contractor must be listed when it is submitted. An addition on a well or septic system needs Alamance County Environmental Health approval before the building permit, unless the house is on municipal utilities.
Before you file
- 01 — Check the parcel is inside Elon’s jurisdiction.
- 02 — File the Town land use zoning application with a plat or sketch showing setbacks.
- 03 — Prepare the County building and trade permit package in PDF form.
- 04 — Get the Planning Director’s signature on the building permit before sending it to the County.
How to apply — 6-step Elon workflow
Confirm the parcel is in Elon’s jurisdiction.
Submit the land use zoning application and $60 fee, with a plat or sketch showing improvements and setbacks.
Submit the completed building permit and a survey or accurate sketch for the Planning Director to sign as zoning official.
Email the signed permit and PDF plans to planreview@alamance-nc.com.
Answer County plan review comments. The County issues permits within 48 hours after plan review approval.
Pay all fees, then request inspections by phone or online before 4 p.m. for the next business day. Keep plans on site.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections and closeout in Elon
Alamance County schedules inspection requests received before 4:00 p.m. for the next business day; requests after 4:00 p.m., including online ones, go to the business day after next. Requests cannot ask for a specific time. On the inspection day you can call 336-290-0404 after 8 a.m. for the inspector’s contact details, and plans must be on site. Permit cards no longer have to be posted.
Each permit includes one re-inspection per trade or inspection type. After that, extra trips cost $75, rising to $90 for the third and $125 for the fourth and later trips; after-hours inspections are $125 an hour.
Local details that matter in Elon
Burlington, next door, issues its own building permits inside Burlington city limits. Elon projects go to Alamance County, after Town zoning sign-off.
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 Office of State Fire Marshal — current codes
- Alamance County online permits and inspections
- Alamance County inspections jurisdiction
- Town of Elon Land Management Ordinance
- Town of Elon Planning FAQ
- Alamance County Inspections Department
- Alamance County 2026–27 inspection fee schedule
- Alamance County residential permit steps
Elon permit FAQ
Who issues building permits in Elon, NC?
Alamance County Inspections. The County officially lists the Town of Elon among the municipalities for which it provides building permitting and inspection services.
Does the Town of Elon still have a role?
Yes. The Town controls zoning under its Land Management Ordinance, and the Planning Director must sign the building permit before it goes to Alamance County.
How are inspections requested?
Through Alamance County’s inspection system. The County publishes a 4:00 p.m. cutoff for next-business-day scheduling.
Where are plans submitted?
By email to Alamance County at planreview@alamance-nc.com, in PDF format only.
Should I use Burlington’s permit office for an Elon project?
No. Burlington issues permits only inside Burlington city limits. Alamance County Inspections serves Elon.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How much is a building permit for a new house in Elon?
Alamance County charges $525 for a house up to 1,500 gross sq ft and $0.36 per sq ft above that, with electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits included. Plan review is $110, credited toward the permit.
Do I need a permit for a shed or fence in Elon?
Yes. Any shed, carport, garage or other accessory structure needs a Town zoning permit, and new fences need a Town fence permit. Accessory buildings also pay the County’s fee of $0.25 per gross sq ft, $110 minimum.
Simplify Elon 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 Elon sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Elon permits while your crew stays on the job.
More North Carolina permitting guides
Alamance County
Read guide →Burlington
Read guide →Graham
Read guide →Fayetteville Building Permit Guide
Read guide →Forsyth County Building Permit Guide
Read guide →Franklin County Building Permit Guide
Read guide →This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Elon permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.