Whenever you are preparing to make changes to your home or landscape, you should check in with the Inspections Department to determine if a permit is needed.

Times that you may need a permit include:

•  Room additions
•  Decks
•  Roofs over decks or porches
•  Finished basements
• ·Bonus rooms and attics
•  Lawn irrigation systems
•  Accessory buildings
•  All installations or modifications to electrical, plumbing, and mechanical / heating or air conditioning systems
•  Change outs

Please click here for additional examples in which permits may be required for residential work.

Building codes state that no person or corporation shall locate, erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, demolish, or relocate any building or change the type of occupancy without first obtaining the required permits for the specific work from the Inspections Department having jurisdiction.

Building permits are not required for nonstructural work such as the below where the costsis less than $40,000 in any single-family residence. Once the project cost meets or exceeds $40,000 the below exceptions do not apply.

· Farm buildings outside the jurisdiction of any municipality.

· Residential accessory structures where no dimension exceeds 12 feet and does not include plumbing, mechanical or electrical work.

· The replacement of windows, doors and exterior siding in residential structures.

· The replacement of pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking of residential porches and exterior decks.

Work involving plumbing, mechanical or electrical will typically require a permit regardless of project cost. Contact our office to confirm if a permit is needed for the proposed work.

Electrical Permits

An electrical permit is required for the installation, extension, alteration, or general repair of any electrical wiring, devices, appliances, or equipment except that in any one- or two-family dwelling units, a permit shall not be required for repair or replacement of electrical lighting fixtures or devices, such as receptacles and lighting switches having the same voltage and the same or less amperage as long as the work is performed by a person licensed under G.S.87-43.

Plumbing Permits

A plumbing permit is required for the installation, extension, relocation, replacement, or general repair of any plumbing system. Plumbing permits shall not be required for minor repairs or replacements of plumbing fixtures provided such repairs or replacements do not disrupt the original water supply, the waste or ventilation system.

No permit shall be required for replacement of water heaters in one- or two-family dwellings, provided all of the following are met:

· The energy use rate or thermal input is not greater than that of the water heater that is being replaced.

· There is no change in fuel, energy source, location, routing or sizing of venting and piping.

· The work is performed by a licensed plumbing contractor and installed in accordance with the current edition of the N.C. State Building Code.

Mechanical / HVAC Permit

A mechanical/HVAC permit is required for the installation, extension, relocation, replacement, and general repair of any heating, air-conditioning, or venting system.

When must work be done by a licensed contractor?

A general contractor licensed in North Carolina must perform all work where the construction cost is $40,000 or more. An unlicensed contractor may perform work where the cost is less than $40,000. Any person may act as their own general contractor for construction of a home, addition, or accessory structure if they own the land and will personally occupy the structure for 12 months after completion.

To find a licensed General Contractor, please click here. 

Contractor for Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, or Sprinklers

A licensed plumbing or heating and air conditioning contractor is required to alter, replace, or relocate plumbing or heating and air conditioning. Homeowners may perform their own plumbing or heating work if they own the land and will personally occupy the structure.

To find a licensed Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditions or Fire Sprinkler contractor, please click here.

Electrical Contractor

A licensed electrical contractor is required for all installation, construction, maintenance, or repair of electrical wiring, devices, appliances, or equipment. Homeowners may perform their own electrical work if they own the land and will personally occupy the structure.

To find a licensed electrical contractor, please click here. 

Schedule an Inspection

Visit the online portal below to create an account and schedule your request online. Inspections requested online before 2 p.m. will be scheduled for the next business day. Inspections requested online after 2 p.m. will be scheduled for two business days out.

The Town of Morrisville no longer accepts inspection requests by phone. All inspections are scheduled through the online portal.

You can also use the online portal to view permit status, plan review status, and inspection results. You can also use it to pay fees or change your contact information.

Please contact the Inspections Department at 919-463-6190 with any questions.