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Raleigh permit search

Raleigh permits are looked up in the city's Permit and Development Portal, whose Search Public Records tool finds existing permits, plans and inspections without an account. On when you need one, the city says: “If you are starting a construction project and you live in Raleigh, you will likely need a permit for your project.” Search Raleigh's Permit Portal

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Sources read: 2026-10-29Updated 2026-10-29

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Raleigh permit numbers, with their sources

First review target for decks, porches, pools, spas, alterations and repairs, single trade permits and demolitions (city benchmark, business days)3 business daysReview Turnaround Times and Performance Dashboards | Raleighnc.gov, City of Raleigh (authority grain), read 2026-10-29
First review target for additions and accessory structures (city benchmark, business days)7 business daysReview Turnaround Times and Performance Dashboards | Raleighnc.gov, City of Raleigh (authority grain), read 2026-10-29
First zoning review target for residential fences (city benchmark, business days)3 business daysReview Turnaround Times and Performance Dashboards | Raleighnc.gov, City of Raleigh (authority grain), read 2026-10-29
Inspections a day across the building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing trade groups (city Inspections page, average)600Inspections | Raleighnc.gov, City of Raleigh (authority grain), read 2026-10-29
New privately-owned housing units authorized in 2025, City of Raleigh (Census place file)4,738 units, 1,343 of them in one-unit buildings and 3,317 in buildings with 5 or more unitsCensus Bureau Building Permits Survey, annual county file 2025, City of Raleigh (Census Bureau place file) (county grain), read 2026-10-29

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Raleigh permit status

The portal is also where a project's progress is followed: the city describes it as the place to schedule inspections, pay fees and monitor all projects. Applicants get an email when a project is processed, and plan review comments can be read any time through a registered account.

A tool you can use to manage your permitting and development activity in the City of Raleigh. You can schedule inspections, pay fees, and monitor all projects in the portal.

Source: Permit and Development Portal Help Center | Raleighnc.gov, read 2026-10-29

A copy of an issued permit can be printed from the record's Attachment Tab, the next day after issuance.

Raleigh permit portal

The City of Raleigh and Wake County use the same permitting software, but each portal is set up on its own, so a Wake County portal login does not open the city portal and you register a new account for it. Registration is needed to obtain permits or manage development activity.

No. While the City of Raleigh and Wake County do use the same permitting software, each system is configured differently. Therefore, you must register a new account for the City of Raleigh Permit and Development Portal.

Source: Permit and Development Portal Help Center | Raleighnc.gov, read 2026-10-29

Do I need a permit for a fence in Raleigh?

Yes, when you add or move a fence or replace 50% or more of an existing one at your home: the city's Fences page asks for permits before construction begins, and the permit for a fence is a zoning permit. A smaller replacement still needs one when the material, height or location changes.

If you are planning to add or move a fence, or replace 50%* or more of an existing fence at your residential property, you must first obtain permits from the City before beginning construction.

Source: Fences | Raleighnc.gov, read 2026-10-29

Residential fences have a first zoning review target of 3 business days, and the inspection comes after the fence has been built, scheduled through the permit portal.

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Do I need a permit for a shed in Raleigh?

Yes, at any size. A storage shed counts as an accessory structure, and its size decides which permit it gets: a zoning permit under 12 feet in any direction, a building permit when it exceeds 12 feet in any direction.

A permit is required regardless of the size of an accessory structure. You will receive either a zoning permit if under 12 feet in any direction (length, width, or height) or a building permit if an accessory structure exceeds 12 feet in any direction (length, width, or height).

Source: Accessory Structures and Additions | Raleighnc.gov, read 2026-10-29

Additions and accessory structures have a first review target of 7 business days.

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Do I need a permit for a deck in Raleigh?

Yes, and with plans: decks, covered porches, patios and gazebos are on the city's list of residential projects that send supporting plans with the permit application. A deck project is submitted through the Permit and Development Portal.

Elevations are required for screened porches and for any structure with a roof, including patios and covered decks.

Source: Building a Screened-in Porch, Deck, or Balcony | Raleighnc.gov, read 2026-10-29

A screened-in porch, deck, or balcony may not be constructed over septic or wastewater systems or their repair area.

Source: Building a Screened-in Porch, Deck, or Balcony | Raleighnc.gov, read 2026-10-29

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Do I need a permit to repair or replace a roof in Raleigh?

Yes. Roofing is on the city's list of alterations and repairs that need a permit but no plans, next to siding, windows and doors. The permit is a Residential Building Alteration/Repair permit, requested in the portal.

Source: How to Get a Residential Permit | Raleighnc.gov, read 2026-10-29

Please apply for a Residential Building Alteration/Repair permit (to include any additional Plumbing, Mechanical and/or Electrical work as part of your scope) via the Permit Portal.

Source: How to Get a Residential Permit | Raleighnc.gov, read 2026-10-29

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Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Raleigh?

Yes. Water heater replacement and HVAC replacement are on the same no-plans list, under replacements of existing equipment with new, and installing new equipment, such as new HVAC units, also takes a plot plan.

NOTE: Installation of new equipment requires a plot plan.

Source: How to Get a Residential Permit | Raleighnc.gov, read 2026-10-29

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Can a homeowner pull their own permit in Raleigh?

Yes, with an affidavit: a homeowner acting as the contractor for the project files the city's Owner Exemption Affidavit, and contractor information for a general contractor and sub-contractors is entered in the portal when the project is submitted.

If you are a homeowner acting as the contractor for your project, the Owner Exemption Affidavit is required.

Source: How to Get a Residential Permit | Raleighnc.gov, read 2026-10-29

On the affidavit the owner states they own the property, will personally superintend and manage the work, and must occupy the building for twelve months after completion, during which time it may not be offered for rent, lease or sale. It covers the building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing trades.

I will personally superintend and manage all aspects of the construction or alteration of the building

Source: OwnerExemptionAffidavit (PDF), read 2026-10-29

The affidavit cites G.S. 87-1(b)(2), a North Carolina statute (state law, not a city rule), which reads:

(2) Any person, firm, or corporation who constructs or alters a building on land owned by that person, firm, or corporation provided (i) the building is intended solely for occupancy by that person and his family, firm, or corporation after completion; and (ii) the person, firm, or corporation complies with G.S. 87-14. If the building is not occupied solely by the person and his family, firm, or corporation for at least 12 months following completion, it shall be presumed that the person, firm, or corporation did not intend the building solely for occupancy by that person and his family, firm, or corporation.

Source: G.S. 87-1, read 2026-10-29

How much is a permit and how long does it take in Raleigh?

City permit fees — Development Fee Guide, July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027

The guide prints each fee twice, first the prior-year cost and then the FY27 cost. A Plan Review Fee is due before project review and the other permit fees when permits are ready for issuance, and no individual fee moves by more than 10% per year. These are city permit fees, not a construction quote. Full list: Development Fee Guide; estimate some building and trade permit fees with the city's fee calculator.

Demolition Permit Fee $136.00 $150.00 Per Permit

Source: DevelopmentFeeGuide (PDF), read 2026-10-29

Building Relocation Permit Fee $429.00 $472.00 Per Permit

Source: DevelopmentFeeGuide (PDF), read 2026-10-29

The city sets review targets in business days. A first review is targeted at 3 for decks, porches, pools, alterations and repairs and single trade permits, 7 for additions and accessory structures and 10 for a new single-family house, duplex or townhouse, and a final review of 1-3 comes last before a permit is issued. Intake before review typically takes 3-5 business days for portal submittals. The city calls these benchmarks goals, meant as general guidance.

These performance dashboards show target review timeframes for different applications.

Source: Review Turnaround Times and Performance Dashboards | Raleighnc.gov, read 2026-10-29

The dashboards behind these targets show data from 2021 up to the last completed quarter: review turnaround times and performance dashboards; read 2026-10-29.

Before you apply in Raleigh: checklist

Register in the permit portal. List the general contractor and sub-contractors, or file the Owner Exemption Affidavit if you are acting as the contractor. If the home is in a Historic District or is a Raleigh Historic Landmark, submit a Certificate of Appropriateness to the Raleigh Historic Development Commission. If the property has a private well or septic service, go to Wake County Septic and Wastewater Management before applying with the city. The property should have a legally recorded map at the Durham or Wake County Register of Deeds.

Detailed code review will not begin until application submittals have been deemed complete by customer service staff.

Source: How to Get a Residential Permit | Raleighnc.gov, read 2026-10-29

Raleigh permit application

Applications go in online through a registered account in the Permit and Development Portal, whose Apply tool starts a permit, plan or license application. Review comments come back through the same account, and if an application takes more than three submittals, city staff reach out to help resolve what is left.

You can apply for a permit online through a registered account using the Permit and Development Portal.

Source: Permits | Raleighnc.gov, read 2026-10-29

How do I contact the Raleigh building department?

Permits are handled by the City of Raleigh Planning and Development department. Its Customer Service Center handles application and plan intake for residential and commercial projects, and for help with permits and plans you can book a virtual or in-person appointment.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Source: Planning and Development Customer Service Center | Raleighnc.gov, read 2026-10-29

Contact options: Customer Service Center; read 2026-10-29.

Sources

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