Smithfield, North Carolina Building Permit Guide

Town of Smithfield Planning & Zoning comes first. A $25 Town zoning permit is needed for most residential work, then Johnston County Building Inspections issues the building permit and inspects under contract with the Town. A new house costs $600 for the first 1,200 sq ft plus $0.30 per extra sq ft, with electrical, plumbing and mechanical included, and all plans must now be submitted digitally.

What requires a permit in Smithfield?

New construction, additions, structural alterations, many renovations, and electrical, plumbing and mechanical work can require permits. In Smithfield, even a shed needs a Town zoning permit first; sheds are accessory structures under Article 7, Section 7.3 of the Unified Development Code. Working without a zoning permit is a zoning violation that can bring a warning letter and fines.

The County’s fee schedule shows the building work it permits: new homes, additions and remodels, garages, carports, storage buildings, decks and gazebos, pools, re-roofs, solar panels, demolition, changes of use and tenant, manufactured and moved homes, and commercial work.

Smithfield building department: who handles permitting

Johnston County Building Inspections issues building permits and performs construction inspections for Smithfield under contract with the Town. The County office is in the Land Use Center at 309 E. Market Street, Smithfield, NC 27577, phone 919-989-5060, email inspections@johnstonnc.gov; its Director is Shane Hudson. The Town Planning Department enforces zoning in the town limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), a 2-mile area around the town.

Smithfield permit types and filing path

Town zoning, planning and code-enforcement applications go through the Town’s Citizenserve portal; walk-in and emailed applications are still accepted during the transition. Every new business, change of tenant or change of ownership also needs a Town zoning permit before opening, and new commercial or multifamily buildings start with a meeting with Planning staff and a site plan review.

Building and trade permits are separate records with Johnston County Building Inspections. The County takes applications by email to inspections@johnstonnc.gov or at the Land Use Center counter, using its residential or commercial permit application. Since April 1, 2026, all construction drawings for residential and commercial projects must be digital, even when applying in person.

Permit fees in Smithfield

Smithfield projects pay the Town’s planning fees (FY 2026-27 schedule, amended September 15, 2026) and the County’s building permit fees.

For example, a new 2,000 sq ft house costs $600 plus 800 × $0.30, or $840, before the $25 Town zoning permit, any attached garage charge and the $10 recovery fund fee. Commercial projects are charged per trade by job cost, from $75 up to $6,853 at $1,000,000; projects over $500,000 pay $1,000 at plan submittal, credited at issue. After-hours inspections cost $125 an hour with a 2-hour minimum.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas coordination

Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits are handled by Johnston County Building Inspections along with the building permit. On a new house they are included in the building fee; on additions, remodels and accessory buildings each trade inspection costs $75, and stand-alone trade work is $75 per trade. Commercial trade fees follow the County’s job-cost table for each trade. For commercial buildings, the Smithfield Fire Department charges $100 for building plan review and trade fire inspections, $50 for a change of tenant or use, and $0.02 per sq ft (at least $100) for fire alarm and sprinkler plan review.

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

Application documents and plan review

How to apply — 6-step Smithfield workflow

Inspections and closeout in Smithfield

Johnston County Building Inspections manages building permit inspections for Smithfield. Request them by phone at 919-989-5060 by 3:00 p.m. for an inspection the next business day; inspection status can be checked on the County’s Building Inspections website. A failed inspection costs $75 to repeat.

The Town Planning Department handles site-development and landscaping inspections. Stormwater infrastructure inspections are done by the Town Engineer and arranged through the Planning Department. Do not cover regulated work before the required inspection has passed.

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
• Johnston County Building Inspections
• Smithfield Planning & Zoning
• Smithfield Planning FAQ
• Smithfield FY 2026-27 fee schedule (amended)
• Johnston County permit fee schedule
• Johnston County: how to apply for a building permit
• Johnston County residential plan review requirements
• Johnston County: building permits by town

Smithfield permit FAQ

Who issues Smithfield building permits?

Johnston County Building Inspections, under contract with the Town.

What comes before the building permit?

A Town of Smithfield zoning permit: $25 for a single-family or two-family project and $100 for commercial or multifamily work.

How much is a building permit for a new house?

Johnston County charges $600 for up to 1,200 sq ft plus $0.30 for each extra sq ft, with the trades included. A 2,000 sq ft house is $840, plus $90 if it has an attached garage.

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

A fence needs no permit but must follow the Town’s height rules. A shed needs a Town zoning permit, and the County charges $100 for a storage building permit.

Can I submit paper plans?

No. Since April 1, 2026 Johnston County accepts construction drawings only in digital form, by email or brought in on a digital format.

How do I schedule an inspection?

Call Johnston County at 919-989-5060 by 3:00 p.m. for the next business day. Town Planning handles site, landscaping and stormwater inspections.

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