Washington County, North Carolina Building Permit Guide

Building permits in Washington County come from Washington County Planning and Inspections (116 Adams Street, Plymouth, 252-793-4114), which enforces the North Carolina building codes and also inspects for the Town of Plymouth. Fees are paid when you apply: new homes and commercial buildings are $0.20 per sq ft of heated and unheated space, with electrical, plumbing and mechanical at $0.08 per sq ft each.

What requires a permit in Washington County?

The County zoning ordinance requires a building permit before anyone erects, enlarges, structurally alters, converts or relocates a building or structure, with plans, specifications and a site plan. The FY27 fee schedule shows the work the inspector permits:

The schedule charges no fee for alterations valued under $5,000 and lists vinyl siding and re-roofing as not applicable.

Who handles permitting in Washington County?

The office enforces the North Carolina building, plumbing, mechanical, fire and manufactured home codes and the National Electrical Code. County zoning covers the unincorporated area only; the ordinance leaves out each town’s limits and extraterritorial area.

• Plymouth: the Town’s Planning, Zoning and Building Inspections Department issues zoning and sign permits and handles site plans, subdivisions and variances (Town Hall, 124 E. Water Street, 252-793-9101, extension 236 for zoning). The Town says building inspections in Plymouth are done by the Washington County Building Inspector.
• Creswell: the Town says the Washington County Inspections Department issues building permits, carries out the inspections and issues certificates of occupancy in Creswell. The Town also requires its own building permit, $10, for construction projects over $5,000, and Town zoning permits are free (Town Hall, 104 S. 6th Street, 252-797-4852).
• Roper: the Town’s website has no permit information. Ask the Town office (301 W. Buncombe Street, 252-793-5527) and the County office before applying.

Washington County permit fees (FY27)

The County’s FY27 fee schedule took effect July 1, 2026, and every fee is paid when the application is filed. The building inspector places each job in the category closest to it.

For example, a 2,000 sq ft house with a 400 sq ft attached garage is 2,400 sq ft, so the building permit is $480 (2,400 × $0.20). Electrical, plumbing and mechanical are each $0.08 per sq ft on top. Licensed general contractors building or altering a single-family home also pay the $10 Homeowners Recovery Fund fee.

Starting work that needs a permit before getting one adds a $50 fine to the fees. Variances are $200, and conditional or special use permits and rezonings $150. No fees are charged to the County, the State, the United States, the Washington County Board of Education or the Towns of Creswell, Plymouth and Roper.

How to apply for a Washington County building permit

Inspections in Washington County

The County Building Inspector inspects permitted work in the unincorporated county and in Plymouth; call 252-793-4114 to arrange inspections. Each re-inspection is $25, and a courtesy or change-of-occupancy inspection is $75. Under the County zoning ordinance, a building put up under a permit may not be occupied until the County issues a certificate of use and occupancy; accessory buildings not meant for human occupancy are excepted. Under the fee ordinance, an appeal goes to the County Building Inspector within 10 days of written notice from the Inspections Department, and then to the Board of Commissioners.

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

Washington County permit search and official resources

• Washington County Planning and Inspections
• FY27 Fee Schedule, planning and inspections portion (PDF)
• Washington County Zoning Ordinance (PDF)
• Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, approved January 6, 2025 (PDF)
• Washington County ordinances
• NC flood inundation maps
• Town of Plymouth Planning, Zoning & Building Inspections
• Town of Creswell Building Permits & Inspections

Washington County permit FAQ

Who issues building permits in Washington County?

Washington County Planning and Inspections, 116 Adams Street, Plymouth (252-793-4114). Its building inspector also inspects inside the Town of Plymouth and in Creswell, while Plymouth handles its own zoning.

How much does Washington County charge for a new home permit?

$0.20 per sq ft of heated and unheated space, plus $0.08 per sq ft each for electrical, plumbing and mechanical and $0.06 per sq ft for insulation under the FY27 schedule.

Is there a fee for a small repair?

No fee is charged for alterations and repairs valued under $5,000 under the FY27 schedule. Above that the fee is $10 per $1,000 or fraction, with a $25 minimum.

How much is a permit for a storage building?

$100 up to 200 sq ft and $150 from 201 to 600 sq ft, then $0.20 for each extra square foot.

Is there a penalty for building without a permit?

Yes. A $50 fine is added to the permit fees when work starts before the permit is issued.

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