Matthews does not have its own building inspections department. The Town’s Planning & Development page states that the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA) handles building permits, zoning permits and inspections. LUESA’s Code Enforcement division handles building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits, plan review and field inspections.
What requires a permit in Matthews?
In Matthews, common permit triggers include new construction, additions, structural alterations, regulated electrical, plumbing and mechanical work, and changes of use or occupancy. Rezonings, site plans and signs also go through Town review.
Who issues permits in Matthews?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Primary authority | Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement |
| Contact | 980-314-CODE (2633); LUESA local office (980) 314-3234 |
| Location / hours | 2145 Suttle Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28208; Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
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Get a free quote →Matthews permit types and filing path
Use AccelaMeck for new building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing projects. Mecklenburg County identifies AccelaMeck as the preferred portal for customer projects and provides workflows for residential and commercial applications, plan review, trade permits, revisions and inspection requests. Matthews Planning & Development remains the local source for Town land-use questions and municipal requirements outside the County code-enforcement record.
A building permit does not replace zoning, fire, utility, environmental-health or right-of-way approvals when those are separately required.
Permit fees in Matthews
Code Enforcement fees are set by Mecklenburg County’s LUESA fee ordinance and depend on the permit type and project. The County also charges fees when failed inspections must be performed again.
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas coordination
Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement issues the electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits for Matthews projects through AccelaMeck. On a multi-trade project, keep each trade permit tied to the same address and project.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Application documents and plan review
AccelaMeck publishes separate submission guidance for single- and two-family plan review, townhouses, additions, alterations, accessory structures, pools, solar, commercial plan review, upfits and specialty processes. Assemble the packet for the actual record type and coordinate any Town of Matthews planning or right-of-way requirements before treating the County building permit as the only approval.
For Town zoning and site plan applications, the Town asks that submissions follow within ten days of a joint presubmission and Post Construction Ordinance meeting with Matthews Planning and Mecklenburg County staff.
Before you file
- Check that the parcel is inside the Town of Matthews.
- Clear any Town zoning, site plan or sign review before the building permit.
- Register for AccelaMeck, the County’s preferred portal.
How to apply — 6-step Matthews workflow
Check that the property is inside the Town of Matthews.
Complete any Town zoning, site plan or sign review that must come first.
Follow the AccelaMeck submission guidance for the project type.
Upload plans and pay fees in AccelaMeck.
Submit revisions on the same permit record.
Request inspections in AccelaMeck or by phone, resolve failed items and obtain the certificate of occupancy.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Inspections and closeout in Matthews
Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement performs construction inspections and posts results online. Schedule through AccelaMeck or by calling 980-314-CODE, option 2, then 2 again. The County also offers inspections by appointment, overtime inspections and live remote inspections for some re-inspections.
Do not conceal work that is subject to inspection before the required inspection has been completed. Use the permit record to confirm the exact inspection sequence and closeout status for the project.
Local details that matter in Matthews
Matthews projects often involve both the Town and the County. Town Planning & Development handles zoning changes, site plans, signs and land-use questions, while Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement handles the building-code permit. Zoning map amendment applications are due on the first business day of each month.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →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 OSFM current codes
- Mecklenburg County inspections
- AccelaMeck portal guidance
- Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement
- Matthews Planning & Development
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Matthews permit FAQ
Who issues building permits in Matthews?
Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement handles building permits and inspections; the Town of Matthews directs applicants to Mecklenburg County LUESA for that work.
Which portal should contractors use?
AccelaMeck is Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement’s preferred portal for new customer projects.
Who issues trade permits?
Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement administers building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits.
How are inspections scheduled?
Through AccelaMeck or by calling 980-314-CODE, option 2, then 2 again.
Does Matthews still have a role?
Yes. Town Planning & Development handles local land-use and development matters even though County Code Enforcement carries the building-code permit.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Simplify Matthews 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.
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More North Carolina permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Matthews permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.