Building Permits
The Planning Department handles all building permits for the town. The Town of Wendell contracts with Wake County Building and Inspections Department (http://www.co.wake.nc.us/inspect) for inspections, however Wendell staff handles the permitting forms and starting process for those inspections. To determine when a permit is required, please see the comments listed below. If your question is not answered, please feel free to call the Planning Department at (919) 365-4448.
When is a Building Permit required?
If the structure costs more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), AND/OR the structure is larger than one-hundred and forty four (144) square feet, AND/OR the structure is self-supporting (i.e. deck), AND/OR any one side of the structure is longer than twelve (12) feet in length then a building permit is required. If one has further questions about construction in accordance to the North Carolina State Building Code, please call Wake County Building and Inspections at (919) 856-6222 or visit their internet website located at http://www.co.wake.nc.us/inspect.
When is an Electrical Permit required?
If one is installing, altering, repairing, replacing, or relocating any electrical material then a electrical permit is required. If one has additional questions about electrical construction in accordance to the North Carolina State Building Code, please call Wake County Building and Inspections at (919) 856-6222 or visit their internet website located at http://www.co.wake.nc.us/inspect.
When is a Plumbing, Heating, Air-Conditioning, or Sprinkler Permit required?
If one is installing, altering, repairing, replacing, or relocating any plumbing, heating, air-conditioning material, appliances or equipment then a permit is required. Plumbing permits will not be required for minor repairs or replacements on the house side of a trap to an installed system of plumbing provided such repairs or replacements do not disrupt the original water supply or the waste or ventilation system. If a fixture is replaced, a permit shall be secured and the new fixture shall be inspected. Heating and air-conditioning permits shall not be required for minor burner services, or filter replacements of warm-air furnaces or cooling systems. If one has further questions concerning plumbing, heating, a/c, or sprinkler system construction in accordance to the North Carolina State Building Code, please call Wake County Building and Inspections at (919) 856-6222 or visit their internet website located at http://www.co.wake.nc.us/inspect.
What is needed with a building permit?
Several things are needed when a building permit application is submitted to the Town of Wendell. The three main objects are listed below.
Building Permit Form: This form can be acquired at the office of the Planning Department or can be printed from the Wake County website at http://www.co.wake.nc.us/inspect. There are two parts. The first part is the listing and information of one's sub-contractors and the second part is a workman's compensation form.
The Building Plans: (2 copies for single family dwelling or other structure not commercial and 3 copies for a commercial structure) Any specification on the building plans must meet the North Carolina State Building Code.
Site Plan: (2 copies for single family dwelling or other structure not commercial and 3 copies for a commercial structure) The site plan, which does not have to be professionally drawn, must include the below items:
- The Scale
- the scale must be noted
- the scale can be no smaller than 1" = 100'
- The North Arrow
- The north arrow must be noted pointing due north
- The Property Lines
- A sketch of the length, direction, and location of all property lines must be noted
- The Easements
- All and any easements must be noted
- The easement(s)' location on the property
- The width and length of the easement(s)
- The description for what the easement(s) are for (e.g. utility, drainage, etc.)
- The Flood Plain
- The flood plain/area/way must be noted if located on the property
- The location of the flood plain on the property
- The designation of the flood plain (e.g. 100 year, 500 year, etc.)
- The FEMA flood map and panel number
- The Structure
- The location of the structure on the property must be noted
- The structure(s) distance from any and all property lines and right of way(s)
- The structure(s) distance from any other structure(s) located on the same property
- The length and size of the structure
- The distance of the structure from any easement
- The distance of the structure from the flood plain (if the property includes part of the flood plain then a base flood elevation pre-construction and post-construction certification is required from a registered Land Surveyor or Engineer)
- The Driveway
- The driveway must be noted
- The type of surface of the driveway must be noted
- The location of the driveway on the property
- The driveway's distance from the property lines and structure(s)
- The driveway's distance from any easement and flood plain
How much is a permit going to cost me?
Wake County Building and Inspections charges all inspection fees. No inspection fees are charged by the Town of Wendell. Wake County's fees must be paid in full before any inspections will take place. Below is a fees schedule presented by Wake County. For questions about these fees, please contact Wake County Building and Inspections at (919) 856-622
A. Zoning Letter $30.00
B. New Dwellings - Single and Duplex
Up to 1200 square feet* $366
Over 1200 square feet* Add $ .20 per sq. ft
* Gross floor area finished within the inside perimeter of the exterior walls with no deduction for garage, corridors, stairs, closets, or other features. Finished area is that portion of building served by either mechanical or plumbing systems and suitable for occupant's use.
C. Residential - Addition (Example: Bedroom, Bathroom, Sunroom, etc.)
0-400 square fee $228.00
Over 400 square feet Same as new dwelling
D. Multi-Family Dwelling
For the first unit $366.00
For each additional unit $152.00
E. Mobile Homes $ 182.00
Travel Trailers $ 61.00
F. Modular Units & Dwellings Moved On
Land Use and Trade Inspections
G. Residential Accessory Structures (Examples: Deck, Garage, Open Porches, etc.)
Land Use and Trade Inspections plus $ .20 per sq. ft.
H. Land Use $ 46.00
Temporary Service Poles $ 46.00
Trade Inspections:
- Building $ 46.00
- Electrical $ 46.00
- Mechanical $ 46.00
- Plumbing $ 46.00
I. Non-Residential (Based on project cost per trade)
Cost Fee
$ 0-700 Trade Fee
$ 701 to 1,500 $ 92.00
$1,500 to 2,500 $138.00
$2,501 to 25,000 $204.00
$25,001 to 50,000 $407.00
$50,001 to 100,000 $815.00
$100,001 to 200,000 $1,629.00
$200,001 to 350,000 $2,852.00
$350,001 to 500,000 $3,768.00
$500,001 to 750,000 $5,042.00
$750,001 to 1,000,000 $6,314.00
$1,000,001 and ove add .15% of each added million dollars or portion thereof
J. Re-inspection Fee $ 46.00
Wake County handles all scheduling and processing of inspections.
Here are some useful ways to reach the Wake County Building and Inspections Department.
Wake County Community Development Services
Building and Inspections Department
PO Box 550
Raleigh, NC 27602-0550
Main Line: (919) 856-6222
InspectTalk Line: (919) 856-6060
(this number can be called to schedule inspections through the phone)
Fax Line for Permits: (919) 856-6222