The Town of Leland Planning & Inspections Department processes building permits and schedules inspections. Planning staff handle zoning, flood-damage prevention and land-use compliance; Building Inspections administers building-code compliance; permitting staff receive applications and issue permits. Fire inspections are conducted by Leland Fire/Rescue Fire Inspectors. Well and septic records/approvals are handled by Brunswick County Environmental Health rather than the Town.
What requires a permit in Leland?
Leland issues building, trade (plumbing, mechanical and electrical), fire construction and fire operational permits. Larger commercial and multi-family projects also need Development Site Plan approval first.
Who issues permits in Leland?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Primary authority | Town of Leland Planning & Inspections |
| Contact | 910-371-3754 |
| Location | 102 Town Hall Drive, Leland, NC 28451 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
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Get a free quote →Leland permit types and filing path
Leland uses Evolve for online permitting and inspection services. For new commercial or multi-family development, expansions and major modifications, the Town’s published sequence starts with Development Site Plan review through the Evolve Project Module and Technical Review Committee. Building-permit filing follows site-plan approval. Other permit types, including residential new construction and change of occupancy, can begin directly in Evolve with the applicable zoning, floodplain and building reviews routed as needed.
Permit fees in Leland
Leland publishes a Building Permitting and Inspections fee schedule. Under the posted FY25-26 schedule, new residential construction is gross square feet under roof × ICC value per square foot × 0.0055, with a $300 minimum. Trade permits are $75 for minor work and $125 for major work. Zoning review, plan review, reinspection and administrative fees are extra.
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas work
Leland’s fee schedule and permitting FAQ identify plumbing, mechanical and electrical trade permits as Town records. Fire construction and operational permits are also submitted through the Town’s online permitting system, with technical fire questions directed to Leland Fire/Rescue Fire Inspectors. Do not assume a building permit automatically creates every trade or fire record.
Application documents and plan review
Leland’s review process requires project-specific forms, plans and supporting documents. For projects requiring Development Site Plan review, Technical Review Committee comments must be resolved before building-permit filing. Engineered plans must be 24” x 36”.
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Get a free quote →Before you file in Leland
- For applicable commercial/multi-family projects, complete Development Site Plan/TRC approval before applying for the building permit.
- Use Evolve for the current permit record, plan uploads, payments and inspection requests.
- Request inspections before the 3:00 p.m. daily cutoff.
How to apply: 6-step Leland process
Confirm Town limits and whether a Development Site Plan/TRC approval is required first.
Open the appropriate application in Evolve.
Upload the current plans, forms and project-specific supporting documents.
Respond to zoning, floodplain, building, fire or other applicable review comments.
Pay the invoice after all required departmental approvals are complete.
Schedule inspections in Evolve before the daily cutoff and complete final/CO requirements.
Leland inspections
Leland schedules inspections through Evolve. The Town FAQ identifies a 3:00 p.m. daily cutoff for inspection requests and notes that scheduling can also be blocked by unpaid fees, an unissued or expired permit, inspection holds, daily capacity or an incomplete preceding inspection. Same-day cancellations must be made by email or phone and can trigger the published cancellation fee.
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- TRC sequencing — Certain commercial and multi-family projects must obtain Development Site Plan approval before building-permit filing.
- Review targets — Intake takes 1–2 business days and a first plan review 10 business days.
- Septic/well — Brunswick County Environmental Health—not the Town—holds well and septic records and approvals.
- Inspection cutoff — The Town’s FAQ identifies a 3:00 p.m. daily inspection-request cutoff.
Leland filing details to keep straight
For new commercial or multi-family development, expansions and major modifications, the Town directs applicants to complete Development Site Plan review first. That review goes through the Evolve Project Module and the Technical Review Committee. Only after the site plan is approved does the applicant move into the building-permit application.
The Town publishes approximate review times: permit intake 1–2 business days; residential plan review 10 business days for the first submittal and 3 for the second and third; commercial plan review 10 business days for the first submittal and 5 for the second and third. The Town says high volume, incomplete documents, coordination with other agencies or complexity can extend them. It does not offer expedited plan review.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Environmental-health work is another separate dependency. Leland states that its Permitting & Inspections Department does not conduct health-department plan review or issue environmental-health permits. Well and septic records are held by Brunswick County Environmental Health. For projects without public water or sewer, obtain that outside approval early enough that it does not become a late-stage building-permit blocker.
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 Leland 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 →- Fee schedule (FY25-26)
- Fire inspections
- Stormwater permits
- Permitting FAQ
- Review process
- Permitting & Inspections
- Planning & Inspections
- NC Office of State Fire Marshal — current and past codes
Leland permit FAQs
Who issues building permits in Leland?
The Town of Leland Planning & Inspections Department.
What permit system does Leland use?
Evolve is the Town’s online permitting and inspection system.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Does every commercial project start with a building permit?
No. The Town states that certain new commercial/multi-family projects, expansions and major modifications must complete Development Site Plan review first.
Who handles septic or well approvals?
Brunswick County Environmental Health, according to the Town’s permitting FAQ.
What is the inspection-request cutoff?
The Town identifies 3:00 p.m. as the daily cutoff for inspection scheduling.
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More North Carolina permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Leland permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.