FAQs

Residential – Submit through online digital portal

Commercial – Submit through online digital portal

Yes. In this way, reviews may run concurrently and hopefully not delay any projects.

Yes, we prefer nothing less than 1/8 scale.

If it's the same type of business:

• Complete Pre-Occupancy permit application through our online portal

• Acquire a Beer/Wine license from town is selling alcohol

• Make application for Town power if applicable.

• Planning staff will review application for zoning issues and if approved will send it to Inspections staff for compliance with state building and fire codes.

• If permit is approved it will be processed and you will be contacted for permit issuance.

• After permit has been issued you will need to schedule a fire inspection.

• An Inspector will come out and if everything is ok he will issue a Certificate of Occupancy.

If the business is a different type or alterations are to be made from the previous use, please contact the Inspections Departments for assistance.

The purpose of a permit is to enforce minimum consistent requirements of nationally recognized good practices by providing a reasonable level of life safety and protection of hazards to all parties involved.

There are many variables that affect the cost of permits. The cost of permits starts at $50 but can sometimes be as much as $100,000 or more. Permit cost can be based on the number of trades (building, electrical, plumbing or mechanical), the total square footage of the project, the number of bedrooms, the total cost of the project, the type of project and a variety of other things. Many times we cannot tell how much a permit will cost until a thorough evaluation of the project is made.

We accept cash, check, and credit cards.

A development permit will almost always be required for an accessory building.

A building permit is required when your building is larger than 12 feet in any dimension or if it is more than one story. A permit is required if your building has electrical installed regardless of its size.

Yes - depending upon the size stipulates the type of permit required.

If all sides of the building are 12' and less, a Development Permit is the only thing that is required. Complete the Development Permit Application and submit two (2) copies of your survey / plot plan of your property showing where the storage building will be located. Setback requirements are 10' from rear and side property lines.

If one side of the storage building is larger than 12', complete the Development Permit Application, submit two (2) copies of the survey / plot plan of the property showing where the storage building will be located on the property (setback requirements are 10' from rear and side property lines), and two (2) copies of the building plans showing how the storage building will be built.

Once the plans have been approved by the Residential Plan Reviewer and signed off in Zoning, we will contact the applicant back with the costs.

Yes. Complete the permit application for swimming pool through our online portal.  Submit copy of the survey / plot plan showing the location where the pool will be placed on the property. Once the application has been approved by the plan reviewer and signed off in Zoning, we will contact the applicant back with the applicable fees.

Yes. Contact the Wake Forest Police Department and complete the Special Events Permit Application.

Although you may have a Wake Forest address, we only cover the areas inside the city limits of Wake Forest and ETJ. If you are unsure whether you are inside the city limits, contact our office prior to coming in and we'll be glad to let you know which jurisdiction you are in.

Yes. As long as you own the home and don't rent it out, you can serve as your own contractor. There is one stipulation: you will need to live in the home for one (1) year after the work is completed.

YES – Apply for a permit through our online portal.  Provide a copy of your survey / plot plan showing where the construction will be, as well as complete building plans.

As long as the plans are complete, legible and drawn to scale, they should be acceptable.

Visit our online inspection/permit site or call our Inspection's Line at 919-435-9531 prior to 3 pm and the inspection is scheduled for the next working day.

Call our Inspection's Line at 919-435-9531 around 8:30 am on the morning of your inspection, and you'll be connected with the inspector. He will be able to provide an estimated time based on his workload for the day.

The work needs to be ready the day that you call to schedule the inspection.

Apply for permit through our online portal.  Provide Site Plan (with the driveway, easements, etc) and completed building plans.

Per the Retention Table established by the North Carolina Division of Historical Resources Archives and Records Section, we are obligated to keep records for only six (6) years.

Per the Retention Table established by the North Carolina Division of Historical Resources Archives and Records Section, blueprints can be destroyed once the job is completed.

Yes. Reinspection fees will need to be paid prior to scheduling your re-inspection. Our online system is available to assist with this

YES – complete the Development Permit Application; describe the type of business that you will have; list the square footage of your home as well as the square footage of the room that you will use.

Once Zoning has signed off on the application, we will contact the applicant back and at that time they will be able to come into the office and purchase the permit.

New Construction – at the Inspector's discretion

Occupied home – YES. Our inspectors will not enter into an occupied home without a homeowner or contractor.

If it's the same type of business:

• Apply through our online portal for a  Preoccupancy permit.

• Acquire a Beer/Wine license from town is selling alcohol

• Make application for Town power if applicable.

• Planning staff will review application for zoning issues and if approved will send it to Inspections staff for compliance with state building and fire codes.

• If permit is approved it will be processed and you will be contacted for permit issuance.

• After permit has been issued you will need to schedule a fire inspection.

• An Inspector will come out and if everything is ok he will issue a Certificate of Occupancy.

If the business is a different type or alterations are to be made from the previous use, please contact the Inspections Departments for assistance.

Yes. You need a permit for a deck or deck extension.

Yes. A permit is needed for any electric work.

If the pool holds water to a depth of 24 inches or greater you will need a permit and also a fence.

Yes, the Town has a minimum housing code.

Visit NC Building Codes