Brunswick County Building Permits, Inspections & Code Administration
Brunswick County Code Administration handles building inspections, central permitting, fire permitting and related code services for properties where the county is the responsible inspection authority. The main office is in Building I at the Brunswick County Government Center in Bolivia.
Before applying: confirm who has building-inspection jurisdiction over the property. Several municipalities in Brunswick County run their own building inspection programs, while others use Brunswick County.
Bolivia, NC 28422
Select Option 2 for Central Permitting
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
First Check: Does Brunswick County Handle Your Building Inspection?
This is the most important first step. Brunswick County publishes a municipality-by-municipality jurisdiction table because building inspection, zoning, floodplain, CAMA, fire and stormwater responsibilities are not always handled by the same agency.
| Municipality | Published Building Inspection Authority |
|---|---|
| Belville | Brunswick County |
| Bolivia | Brunswick County |
| Navassa | Brunswick County |
| Northwest | Brunswick County |
| Sandy Creek | Brunswick County |
| Shallotte | Brunswick County |
| St. James | Brunswick County |
| Varnamtown | Brunswick County |
| Bald Head Island, Boiling Spring Lakes, Calabash, Carolina Shores, Caswell Beach, Holden Beach, Leland, Oak Island, Ocean Isle, Southport and Sunset Beach | Municipal building inspection authority is listed by the county rather than Brunswick County |
Even where Brunswick County performs building inspections, the municipality may still control zoning. The county’s residential application guidance requires zoning approval from the corresponding jurisdiction when applicable.
When Is a Building Permit Required?
Brunswick County states that a building permit is generally required when a person or company locates, erects, constructs, enlarges, alters, repairs, demolishes, relocates or changes the occupancy of a structure.
| Project | What to Check |
|---|---|
| New home or commercial building | Building permit, zoning approval, plans, utilities, trade permits and applicable site approvals. |
| Addition or structural remodel | Building permit plus electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits when those systems are affected. |
| Deck | Confirm building requirements, dimensions, setbacks and whether existing decking-only work falls within an exemption. |
| Electrical work | An electrical permit is generally required for installation, extension, alteration or general repair of wiring and electrical equipment. |
| Plumbing work | Installation, extension, relocation, replacement or general plumbing-system repair generally requires a plumbing permit. |
| HVAC / mechanical | Installation, extension, relocation, replacement or general repair of heating, air-conditioning or venting systems generally requires approval. |
| Demolition | A demolition permit may be required before removing a regulated structure. |
| Flood-zone construction | Building approval may be accompanied by floodplain review and elevation documentation. |
Work the county currently lists as generally exempt from a building permit
The county’s current permit guidance lists several situations where a building permit is generally not required, including:
- Nonstructural work costing less than $40,000 in a single-family residence.
- Qualifying farm buildings outside an applicable jurisdiction or municipality.
- Residential accessory buildings where no dimension exceeds 12 feet.
- Replacement of windows, doors and exterior siding on residential structures.
- Replacement of pickets, railings, stair treads and decking on residential porches and exterior decks.
Use the county’s current Do I Need a Permit? page for the latest published exemptions before starting work.
How to Apply for a Brunswick County Building Permit
-
Confirm the correct jurisdiction.
Check whether Brunswick County or a municipality handles the building inspection and which agency controls zoning for the parcel. -
Identify every approval connected to the project.
A building project may also involve planning and zoning, floodplain review, CAMA, stormwater, septic, well, utilities, fire review or trade permits. -
Prepare the property and project information.
Have the address, parcel details, owner information, contractor information, project description and proposed construction scope ready. -
Prepare plans and supporting documents.
Upload the site plan, building plans, zoning approval and other documents required for the specific project. -
Create or sign in to your Permit Portal account.
Visit the Brunswick County Permit Portal. New users can select Sign Up and complete the account-registration fields. -
Select the correct application.
Available Code Administration applications include commercial/residential permits, fire permits, HVAC change-outs, trade-only applications, temporary certificates and project reactivation/cancellation. -
Upload the required files and submit.
Check file names and documents before submitting. An incomplete package can delay review. -
Monitor the project in the portal.
Applicants can use the account to follow projects, review prior projects, communicate with Code Administration and upload requested documents. -
Pay assessed fees and wait for permit issuance.
Do not treat application submission or payment as permission to begin regulated construction. -
Schedule inspections as construction progresses.
Inspection requests are made through the Permit Portal after the permit is issued.
If you need application assistance, Central Permitting lists 910-253-2021, Option 2. The county also states that applicants uncomfortable with the online process may use lobby computers and request help from permitting staff.
Documents to Prepare Before Applying
The exact submittal package depends on the project. The county’s residential permit guide identifies the following items for a typical residential building application:
- Site plan.
- Site survey when required by Planning.
- Lien-agent documentation when applicable.
- Complete set of building plans.
- Water and sewer provider information if service is not provided by Brunswick County.
- Zoning approval from the appropriate jurisdiction.
- Applicable floodplain or coastal documentation for affected properties.
- Temporary electrical power application when temporary power is needed before building final.
How to find stamped plans after approval
The county’s posted instructions give a simple portal process:
- Open your project in the Brunswick County Permit Portal.
- Select the applicable project number.
- Choose Documents in the project’s blue menu bar.
- Open the stamped plans or other project documents stored there.
Keep the approved plans available during construction and inspections rather than relying on the original unapproved version you submitted.
Brunswick County Building Permit Fees in 2026
The county’s FY 2027 Building Fee Schedule became effective July 1, 2026. Some permits have fixed charges, while major construction permits are calculated from square footage and ICC valuation data.
| Residential Fee Item | Published FY 2027 Amount |
|---|---|
| Accessory building/structure 400 sq. ft. or less | $100 |
| ADA access ramp | $5 |
| HVAC change-out permit, per appliance, trades included | $75 |
| Demolition | $50 |
| Residential floodplain building permit | $50 |
| Single-wide mobile home, trades included | $300 |
| Double-wide mobile home, trades included | $400 |
| Triple-wide mobile home, trades included | $500 |
| Residential building relocation | $475 |
| Residential modular | $475 |
| Temporary Certificate of Occupancy | $100 |
| Temporary electrical power | $60 |
| Residential trade permit | $100 |
| Reinspection fee | $75 |
| Reactivation of expired permit | $100 |
| Site verification application | $75 |
| Subcontractor change | $50 |
| Working without a required permit | 2× permit fee, $200 minimum |
Residential construction fee formulas
- New residential construction and additions: square feet × applicable ICC chart value × 0.0045.
- Residential remodel/renovation: gross square feet × $60 per square foot × 0.0045.
- Accessory structure over 400 sq. ft.: square feet × applicable ICC chart value × 0.006.
The county states that the new-residential-construction permit fee includes trade permits. Commercial fees use different formulas and fixed charges.
Always check the current official building fee schedule before paying.
How Brunswick County Building Inspections Work
Building inspections are requested through the Brunswick County Permit Portal. Schedule the inspection only when the work is ready and keep work that must be inspected visible until approval.
Typical residential inspection sequence
| Inspection | Typical Timing |
|---|---|
| Footing | After footing trenches are prepared and before concrete placement. |
| Under-slab | After under-slab work is complete and before concrete covers it. |
| Monolithic slab | After footing/slab preparations are ready and before placement. |
| Foundation | After foundation supports and applicable site conditions are ready for review. |
| Trade rough-ins | Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and related work before it is concealed. |
| Framing | After required rough-ins and framing are complete, before finishes conceal required items. |
| Insulation | After approved framing and rough-ins and before wall or ceiling coverings are installed. |
| Floodplain inspections | Additional under-construction and final floodplain inspections may apply to affected projects. |
| Final inspections | After required work and trade finals are complete; building final is typically near the end of the process. |
Scheduling and cancellation rules
- Schedule inspections from your Permit Portal account.
- If the project is not ready, cancel the inspection through the portal.
- The county instructs users to cancel by 2 p.m. on the previous business day when an inspection will not be ready.
- An inspection that is not properly canceled may lead to the published $75 reinspection fee.
Remote video inspections
Brunswick County also offers Remote Video Inspections for certain work. Published examples include qualifying residential HVAC change-outs, manufactured-home marriage-line final setup, some gas-trench inspections, certain under-slab rough-ins, sewer/water trench rough-ins and shower-pan inspections.
RVI appointments are scheduled in the permit portal. The county instructs participants to have a reliable mobile connection, Microsoft Teams and required tools or documents available at the site.
Search Permits, Check Status & Find Permit Records
Brunswick County provides both applicant-account tools and public permit-search resources.
If you are the applicant
- Sign in to the Permit Portal.
- Open your project or application.
- Review project status, messages and requested documentation.
- Upload corrections when requested.
- Use the same portal to request inspections after permit issuance.
If you are researching a property
The county links to a public permit search from its Permits & Development page. Permit-report resources also provide archived and live data, including permit records that may later change because of revisions, voids or expiration.
Open Brunswick County Permit Reports
Which Building Codes Apply in Brunswick County in 2026?
North Carolina uses a statewide building-code system. An important 2026 issue is the transition from the 2018 North Carolina State Building Code to the approved 2024 code collection.
In its 2026 building-code update, the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal identified the 2018 North Carolina State Building Code as the current statewide mandatory code while implementation of the 2024 code remained delayed. The 2024 collection had been approved and could be requested as an alternative method before becoming mandatorily effective under the state’s transition rules.
The 2024 collection includes updated building, residential, existing building, energy, fire, fuel gas, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and administrative code components.
Review the latest state status through the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal current-code resource.
Common Permit Problems and the Fastest Next Step
| Problem | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Not sure whether county or town handles the property | Check the county Municipal Jurisdictions table before starting an application. |
| Application returned as incomplete | Read reviewer comments, add missing plans or approvals and upload the corrected package through the portal. |
| Zoning approval is missing | Contact the zoning authority listed for the municipality or county jurisdiction. |
| Inspection cannot be performed | Confirm access, approved documents and site readiness before rescheduling. |
| Need to cancel tomorrow’s inspection | Use the permit portal before the county’s published 2 p.m. previous-business-day cancellation deadline. |
| Permit has become inactive or expired | Contact Central Permitting and determine whether reactivation is available; the published reactivation fee is $100. |
| Construction started without the required permit | Stop regulated work and contact Code Administration. The FY 2027 fee schedule lists a double permit fee with a $200 minimum. |
| Property is in a flood-prone or coastal area | Confirm floodplain, elevation-certificate, CAMA and other location-specific requirements before finalizing plans. |
Official Brunswick County Permit Resources
Open official page
Open permit portal
View applications
View fees
View inspection guidance
Check jurisdiction
Related Building Department Guides
If you are comparing permitting systems in other U.S. counties, these USBuilding.org guides may also help:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Brunswick County building department called?
The responsible county department is Brunswick County Code Administration. It includes Building Inspections, Central Permitting and the Fire Marshal and oversees building and fire permitting and inspections for county-served jurisdictions.
2. Where is Brunswick County Code Administration located?
The current county department page lists 75 Courthouse Drive NE, Building I, Bolivia, NC 28422. Published hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3. How do I apply for a Brunswick County building permit?
Create or sign in to an account at the Brunswick County Permit Portal, select the correct application, enter the project information, upload the required plans and approvals, submit the application and follow review messages in the portal.
4. Does Brunswick County handle building permits inside every town?
No. The county’s jurisdiction table shows that some municipalities use Brunswick County for building inspection while others operate municipal inspection programs. Zoning responsibility can also differ from building-inspection responsibility.
5. Do small sheds need a building permit in Brunswick County?
The county currently lists residential accessory buildings where no dimension exceeds 12 feet among projects generally exempt from a building permit. Zoning, setbacks, floodplain and other approvals may still apply, so confirm the property-specific requirements first.
6. How much is a Brunswick County residential building permit?
Fees depend on the project. New residential construction and additions are calculated using square footage, an applicable ICC valuation and a county multiplier. Fixed FY 2027 examples include $100 for certain accessory structures up to 400 square feet, $75 for an HVAC change-out and $100 for a residential trade permit.
7. How do I schedule a building inspection?
Schedule required inspections through your Brunswick County Permit Portal account. Select the permitted project and the appropriate inspection type and make sure the work is ready and accessible before the inspection.
8. What is the inspection cancellation deadline?
Brunswick County instructs customers to cancel an inspection in the Permit Portal no later than 2 p.m. on the previous business day. Failure to properly cancel may result in a reinspection charge.
9. Which North Carolina building code applies in 2026?
The latest official 2026 state update reviewed for this guide identified the 2018 North Carolina State Building Code as the current mandatory statewide code while the 2024 collection remained in transition. Because that status can change, confirm the applicable edition when filing a new permit.
10. Who should I call with a building permit question?
Call Brunswick County Code Administration at 910-253-2021 and select Option 2 for Central Permitting. Have the project address, parcel information and permit number available if one has already been assigned.
2026 guide prepared from publicly available Brunswick County and North Carolina government permit, fee, inspection, jurisdiction and building-code resources.