A building permit shall not be required under the following conditions:
A. The connection of a water heater in a one- or two-family dwelling unit 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.
B. The repair or replacement of electrical lighting fixtures or devices in a one- or two-family dwelling unit, 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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The work is performed by a person licensed under G.S. § 87-43.
4. The repair or replacement installation meets the current edition of the State Building Code, including the State Electrical Code.
C. The installation, maintenance, or replacement of any load control device or equipment by an electric power supplier, as defined in G.S. § 62-133.8, or an electrical contractor contracted by the electric power supplier, so long as the work is subject to supervision by an electrical contractor licensed under Article 4 of Chapter 87 of the General Statutes. The electric power supplier shall provide such installation, maintenance, or replacement in accordance with:
1. An activity or program ordered, authorized, or approved by the North Carolina Utilities Commission pursuant to G.S. § 62-133.8 or G.S. § 62-133.9; or
2. A similar program undertaken by a municipal electric service provider, whether the installation, modification, or replacement is made before or after the point of delivery of electric service to the customer. The exemption under this subdivision applies to all existing installations.
D. Pursuant to G.S. Chapter 143 Articles 9 and 9C, no permit shall be required for any construction, installation, repair, replacement, or alteration performed in accordance with the current edition of the North Carolina State Building Code and costing fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) or less in any single-family residence or farm building unless the work involves any of the following:
1. The addition, repair or replacement of load bearing structures. However, no permit is required for replacements of windows, doors, exterior siding, or the pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking of porches and exterior decks.
2. The addition or change in the design of plumbing. However, no permit is required for replacements otherwise meeting the requirements of this subsection that do not change size or capacity.
3. The addition, replacement or change in the design of heating, air conditioning, or electrical wiring, devices, appliances, or equipment, other than like-kind replacement of electrical devices and lighting fixtures.
4. The use of materials not permitted by the North Carolina Residential Code for One and Two- Family Dwellings.
5. The addition, excluding replacement, of roofing.
(Ord. No. O-21-06-15-5, §1, 6-15-21)