Chatham County, NC
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FAQ'S
Central Permitting
Building Inspections
Fire Inspections
Central Permitting
- Do I need a set of stamped plans on my jobsite?
- Yes. You will need to print the last approved set of stamped plans, located under the attachments tab on the portal, a copy of your building permit and your site inspection card. All three of these are required to be available to the inspector at inspections.
- Yes. You will need to print the last approved set of stamped plans, located under the attachments tab on the portal, a copy of your building permit and your site inspection card. All three of these are required to be available to the inspector at inspections.
- I requested an inspection, but the work will not be ready in time. Can I cancel my inspection?
- Inspections must be cancelled 2 days before the scheduled inspection. If within 2 days, the inspection will stay on schedule and the inspector will fail if not ready. At that point you will be able to request your re-inspection. The only exceptions are for groundwork inspections that need to be cancelled due to weather conditions.
- Inspections must be cancelled 2 days before the scheduled inspection. If within 2 days, the inspection will stay on schedule and the inspector will fail if not ready. At that point you will be able to request your re-inspection. The only exceptions are for groundwork inspections that need to be cancelled due to weather conditions.
- Can I request a time for my inspection?
- You may put a requested timeframe in the notes section when requesting your inspection on the portal, but times are never guaranteed.
- You may put a requested timeframe in the notes section when requesting your inspection on the portal, but times are never guaranteed.
- Can I talk to my inspector to see what time they will be at my inspection?
- Your inspection will be assigned on the portal to your inspector by 9:00am the day of the inspection. Please refer to the portal to find out who your inspector is. You may contact your inspector directly to ask questions using the Contact Us page on our website.
- Your inspection will be assigned on the portal to your inspector by 9:00am the day of the inspection. Please refer to the portal to find out who your inspector is. You may contact your inspector directly to ask questions using the Contact Us page on our website.
- What is an impact fee and why do I have to pay it?
- The Chatham County Educational Impact Fee is a fee that goes directly to the school system to support future growth for Chatham County schools. This fee is assessed on any new dwelling in the county. The Chatham County Educational Impact Fee Ordinance is available for review.
- The Chatham County Educational Impact Fee is a fee that goes directly to the school system to support future growth for Chatham County schools. This fee is assessed on any new dwelling in the county. The Chatham County Educational Impact Fee Ordinance is available for review.
- Is it required to pull a permit for an Ag Exempt building?
- You are required to submit an Agriculture Exemption Application to the planning department to confirm that your property is ag exempt. Once submitted to the planning department, Central Permitting will review and let you know if the building is approved as an ag exempt building and if any permits will be required.
- You are required to submit an Agriculture Exemption Application to the planning department to confirm that your property is ag exempt. Once submitted to the planning department, Central Permitting will review and let you know if the building is approved as an ag exempt building and if any permits will be required.
- How do I register for an account on the portal?
- Visit the Online Permitting Portal and click on Sign Up at the top, right corner.
Quick Links
Building Inspections
Q. I have an inspection today, what time will the inspector be at my house?
A. Unfortunately, our department does not give scheduled times or appointments. If you have confirmation of your inspection scheduled for that particular day, the inspector will be there that day; typically between 9am-4pm. Access the Contact Us page for inspector information.
Q. Where can I find information about building a deck?
A. Appendix M in the 2018 Residential code book is a great resource for drawing plans for your deck. Access the North Carolina Appendix M.
Q. Is there somewhere I can find the code books online?
A. The ICC hosts the North Carolina code books on their website. We are currently in the 2018 version of the codes. Access the ICC and select the book you are interested in and click "free view". This will open an interactive web based version of the current code book.
Q. Can I submit plans and complete my application online?
A. Yes, we currently use OpenGov for this process. You will need to be a registered user, if you are not, you may sign up for free. The Portal may be used to complete and submit an application for building permit, submit plans, and request a scheduled inspection. Access the OpenGov Portal and register today.
Q. Can I build a “Tiny Home” in Chatham County?
A. The Department of Insurance has published a Memo regarding the State of North Carolina’s information on building “tiny homes.” Access the Tiny Homes In NC Memo to answer many of your questions.
Q. Is there a charge for a fire inspection?
A. Yes, there are fees associated with many different types of fire inspections. The fee schedule for these inspections was adopted by the County Commissioners and then implemented into the fire inspection program. Some fees are a flat rate (Special Use Permits) while others depend on the type of occupancy as well as total square footage of the occupancy. Foster home inspections are exempt from the fee schedule.
Q. Do I need a burn permit?
A. The North Carolina Forest Service Online Burning Permit System allows you to apply for a burn permit and answers many questions about burning in NC.
Q. What are some of the most common fire code violations?
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“911” Street address should be posted outside using a minimum 4 inch letter/number height on a color contrasting background so that it plainly visible from the street
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“Extension cords may not be used to substitute permanent wiring.” All electrical appliances shall be plugged directly into wall outlets. Six outlet surge protectors may be used for office type appliances, provided they are plugged directly into a wall outlet. Surge protectors shall not be powered by an extension cord nor shall they be powered by plugging into another surge protector (“piggybacking”)\
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There should be 36 inches of clearance in front of any electrical distribution panel (breaker panel, fuse box etc.)
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There should be 36 inches of clearance around fuel fired or electric hot water heaters.
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Aisles should remain clear at all times to provide access to all exits.
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Improper storage of flammable and combustible liquids.
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All permanent wiring should meet the provisions of the National Electric Code. Outlet covers, switch covers, etc. should be in place and free of damage. Electrical panels should have filler blanks/plugs over any open breaker slots.
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Illegal burning – for requirements see “Do I need a burn permit?”
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Mechanical and electrical rooms shall be free of any combustible materials.
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*Note- This list is only provided as a guideline. It by no means includes everything governed by the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code; however it merely suggests a starting point for an occupancy to begin compliance with the fire code.
Q. How often must a commercial cooking system/extinguishing system be serviced?
A. NC Fire Code- Section 904.11.6.2: Extinguishing system service. Automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall be serviced at least every 6 months and after activation of the system. Inspection shall be by qualified individuals, and a certificate of inspection shall be forwarded to the fire code official upon completion.
Q. What if I fail my original fire inspection, is there a re-inspection fee?
A. Yes, with the exception of special use permits which the assessed re-inspection fee is the same as the original inspection fee all subsequent re-inspection fees are assessed at half of the original inspection fee.
Q. Does my fire extinguisher have to be mounted?
A. NC Fire Code- Section 906.7: Hangers and brackets. Hand-held portable fire extinguishers not housed in cabinets, shall be installed on the hangers or brackets supplied. Hangers or brackets shall be securely anchored to the mounting surface in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Fire extinguishers must not be mounted behind doors and must be unobstructed.
Q. How do I schedule a foster home inspection?
A. To schedule a foster home inspection you can contact your Fire Marshal’s Office and any of the inspectors will gladly help you with any of the questions that you have. There is no fee for a foster home inspection and it is up to you to call when you need the inspection if you are trying to re-qualify to be a foster parent. When you call we will try our best to accompany you and get you scheduled as soon as possible.
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