(A) Building permit. No person shall commence, or proceed, with the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition of any building, or other structure, or any part thereof, without first securing from the Building Inspector any, and all, permits required by the State Building Code, and any other state or local laws applicable to the work.
(B) Exceptions.
(1) No building permit shall be required under the State Building Code for any construction, installation, repair, replacement, or alteration costing $5,000 or less in any single-family residence or farm building unless the work involves: The addition, repair, or replacement of load bearing structures; the addition (excluding replacement of same capacity) or change in the design of plumbing; the addition, replacement, or change in the design of heating, air conditioning, or electrical wiring, devices, fixtures (excluding repair or replacement of electrical lighting devices and fixtures of the same type), appliances (excluding replacement of water heaters; provided, that the energy use rate or thermal input is not greater than that of the water heater which is being replaced, and there is no change in fuel, energy source, location, capacity, or routing or sizing of venting and piping), or equipment, the use of materials not permitted by the State Uniform Residential Building Code; or the addition (excluding replacement of like grade or fire resistance) of roofing. The exclusions from building permit requirements set forth in this subsection (B) for electrical lighting devices and fixtures, and water heaters, shall apply only to work performed on a one- or two-family dwelling. In addition, exclusions for electrical lighting devices and fixtures, and electric water heaters, shall apply only to work performed by a person licensed under G.S. § 87-43, and exclusions for water heaters, generally, to work performed by a person licensed under G.S. § 87-21.
(2) In any one- or two-family dwelling unit, a permit shall not be required for the connection of a water heater that is being replaced; provided, that the work is performed by a person licensed under G.S. § 87-21, who personally examines the work at completion, and ensures that a leak test has been performed on the gas piping; and, provided, the energy use rate, or thermal input, is not greater than that of the water heater which is being replaced, there is no change in fuel, energy source, location, capacity, or routing or sizing of venting and piping, and the replacement is installed in accordance with the current edition of the State Building Code.
(3) In any one- or two-family dwelling unit, a permit shall not be required for repair, or replacement, of electrical lighting fixtures or devices, such as receptacles and lighting switches, or for the connection of an existing branch circuit to an electric water heater that is being replaced; provided, that all of the following requirements are met:
(a) With respect to electric water heaters, the replacement water heater is placed in the same location, and is of the same, or less, capacity and electrical rating as the original;
(b) With respect to electrical lighting fixtures and devices, the replacement is with a fixture or device having the same voltage and the same, or less, amperage;
(c) The work is performed by a person licensed under G.S. § 87-83; and
(d) The repair, or replacement, installation meets the current edition of the State Building Code, including the State Electrical Code.
(4) A permit shall not be required for any other work, or project, exempted from permitting requirements by the State Building Code.
(C) Demolition bond. In all cases of removal, or demolition, of a building, or structure, a good and sufficient bond in the sum of $1,000 shall be posted by the property owner, or by his or her contractor, at the time of application for a permit, to ensure complete removal, or demolition, including all rubble and debris. Failure on the part of the property owner, or his or her contractor, to completely demolish, remove, and clear the premises, after 30 days’ notice by the Building Inspector, shall be cause for forfeiture of such bond.
(Code 1976, § 8.19)
Cross-reference:
Inspection services, § 5-104; water system, §§ 21-201 et seq.; sewer system, §§ 21-301 et seq.; electric power system, §§ 21-401 et seq.