INSPECTIONS
Permits and Inspections Required
Most interior and exterior work requires a building permit prior to beginning construction. If you perform work without a permit you may receive a $100.00 late charge and possibly a stop work order. To report work that is being done illegally you may call (252) 641-4236. Call the building inspections office at (252) 641-4236 with any inquiries regarding the building code, electrical code, plumbing code, mechanical code or to request any inspections required by these codes. Note that all job sites must obtain the first inspection within 6 months of permit issuance and at least one inspection per year to keep the permit valid. To apply for permits or obtain information such as permit status fees, please go to the Inspection Department, first floor of Town Hall, 500 Main Street or call (252) 641-4236. Inspection requests must be made before an inspector will visit and may be taken at this location or at this number. You may check the status of an inspection by looking for stickers inside the front door jam of the building. Each inspector will apply either a green or red sticker after completing his inspection. The green sticker signifies a passed inspection. A red sticker signifies a failed inspection. There may also be a brief description on the sticker.
Plan Review
Construction plans require a review time of five days (usually less). If your project requires a site or subdivision plan, these also require adequate time to review. Development in the watershed and flood zones may require additional information. For information about other types of review, contact Troy R. Lewis at (252) 641-4249.
For information on zoning compliance, setbacks, flood information, watershed information, or planning related matters, please call (252) 641-4249. State law requires that an erosion control plan for land disturbing activities greater that one acre be filed with the state at least 30 days prior to beginning activity and be approved prior to construction. Failure to follow erosion control procedures required by the law could result in fines up to $500 per day. Failure to submit an erosion control plan for approval could result in a fine up to $1000. Willful noncompliance is considered a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or by a fine not to exceed $5000, or both. An injunction to stop construction may be issued. Contact the Land Quality Section of the N. C. Dept. of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources at 919-571-4700 for more information on state requirements.
Job Sites
North Carolina State Building Code requires that all job sites be kept free and clean of debris. To report a site that needs cleaning, please call Alan Davis at (252) 641-4236.
Electric Service
Contractors may request temporary permanent electrical service in the Inspections Office. If you would like to apply to have your permanent electric service released temporarily, you must first sign an affidavit with the Inspections Office. An order request must also be made with Collections for the utilities to be turned on after the service has been released by us.
Certificates of Occupancy
Certificates of Occupancy will be issued for completed sites by the Inspection Division after all other applicable departments have signed off their approval such as Fire and Public Services.
Interpretations
The Building Inspectors are responsible for interpretations or technical inquiries in all related fields. If you are not satisfied with an interpretation, you and the inspector may contact the North Carolina Department of Insurance for an informal interpretation. Formal interpretations must be requested in writing. The Planning Director is responsible for interpretations in all zoning matters. You may file an appeal with the Board of Adjustment if you disagree with a zoning interpretation.
Abandoned/Junked and Nuisance Vehicles
A junked motor vehicle is described as being (1) partially dismantled or wrecked, (2) cannot be self-propelled or moved in the manner in which it was originally intended, and (3) is more than five 5 years old and appears to be worth less than $100. A Nuisance Vehicle is a vehicle on public or private property that is determined and declared to be a health or safety hazard, a public nuisance, and unlawful. To report an abandoned/junked or nuisance vehicle located on private property, please call the Inspections Office at (252-641-4236). To report an abandoned vehicle on the street, please call the Police Department at (252) 641-4247.
Helpful Tips:
- Call U. LO. CO. at 1-800-632-4949 to have all underground utilities, pipes, and wires located before you start to dig. If you accidentally destroy any utility lines, you would be liable for any damage that results. U. LO. CO. requires at least 48 hours of notice.
- Before beginning on a new job site or having an electrical service relocated or changed, please contact the Utility Department at (252) 641-4252 to have the proposed location of the electrical service spotted. Failure to do this may result in incurring charges or having to relocate equipment that has already been installed.
- Repeated additional inspections will result in additional fees, so insure work is done per the building permit before calling for an inspection.
- Any building, commercial or residential which has not had active utilities in the last year, must be inspected by our Building Inspector. You may dial (252) 641-4236 to set up an appointment. This inspection must be performed to ensure that the electrical wiring is safe.
- To apply for water and sewer taps you may fill out the application in the Inspection Division. The order is then forwarded to Public Services. To inquire about water and sewer taps or any fees associated with connecting to the water and sewer lines, please contact Public Works, at (252) 641-4234. For problems with residential interior plumbing, please call the Inspections Office at (252) 641-4236.