Obtaining A Building Permit

All forms discussed below are available online from the Forms link; or at the Permits desk within Town Hall. We're located on the first floor at 73 Hunter Street, and have staff members available who can help explain the process(es). Feel free to visit or give us a call at 919-249-3418!

We are currently accepting all permit types for review through our IDT Plans portal:

Residential Single Family Dwellings* (visit Publications link for more information). New single family applications are only accepted through the IDT portal for review.

Additions/Alterations/Accessory Structures* (visit Publications link for more information)
**Residential applications submitted through IDT require the same documents you would submit at the Permits desk. Checklists are available for all permit types in the Forms link.

Commercial (visit Publications link for more information). Commercial projects are only accepted through the IDT portal for review.

Solar (visit Solar page for more information)
Commercial EV (visit Publications link for more information)

Residential single trade electrical-mechanical-plumbing applications can be submitted by licensed contractors on our ePermits site. 
Commercial single-trade electrical-mechanical-plumbing applications must be submitted through the IDT portal, to Permits staff, or by fax 919-249-3407 and require approval from Planning staff.)

Residential

Applications:

 All residential permits except those listed below use the same application: One and Two-Family Permit Application (PDF). Be sure to complete all portions that are applicable to your project. Checklists are available for all permit types in the Forms link.

Demolition application (used only when demolition needs to be done before a building permit can be issued, or when there is no new building permit to be issued): Demolition Permit Application (PDF). Projects costing >$40,000 must provide Workers Comp affidavit and Certificate of Insurance.

Driveway/curb Application: https://www.apexnc.org/DocumentCenter/View/37515/Driveway-curb-cut-application

Solar installations:  http://www.apexnc.org/1345/Solar.   

Irrigation application: Irrigation Application (PDF) (triggers installation of a separate irrigation water meter). Projects costing >$40,000 must provide Workers Comp affidavit and Certificate of Insurance. 

Manufactured homes: Manufactured Home Application (PDF). Projects costing >$40,000 must provide Workers Comp affidavit and Certificate of Insurance.

Retaining wall application: (use one application per address) Retaining Wall Application (PDF).  Projects costing >$40,000 must provide Workers Comp affidavit and Certificate of Insurance.

Checklists:

Applications for new single family dwelling building permits must be accompanied by a completed 1-2 Family Dwelling Project checklist (PDF). There are also various checklists for other projects (decks, etc.); as well as brochures and informational materials that will help make sure you have a complete submittal. Please visit the section marked "Forms" of our website to view these materials.

Commercial

Before you apply:

All commercial projects require approval from our Planning Department prior to submittal at the Permits desk. Permits will not be issued until approval is received from Planning. You may contact Planning staff at 919-249-3426, visit their office on the second floor of Town Hall, or visit their space on this website.

Commercial single trade permit applications have to be reviewed by our Planning Department. You may get Planning approval prior to submitting your application (2nd floor of Town Hall); or you can submit through the IDT portal or fax to (919) 249-3407 and we will forward the application to the Planning Department. We will contact you when the permit has been created and is ready to be paid.

Applications:

Most commercial projects, except those listed below, use the Commercial Projects Application (PDF). Be sure to complete all portions that are applicable to your project.  A completed Commercial Project Checklist (PDF) is required for commercial projects. There may be some items that are not applicable to your project - you may simply indicate N/A or "not applicable" for those sections.

Grading application (used to begin site work before building permit has been issued, or to begin site work for residential
subdivisions): Grading Permit Application (PDF). Projects costing >$40,000 must provide Workers Comp affidavit and Certificate of 
Insurance.

Demolition application (used only when demolition needs to be done before a building permit can be issued, or when there is no new building permit to be issued): Demolition Permit Application (PDF). Projects costing >$40,000 must provide Workers Comp affidavit and Certificate of Insurance.

Irrigation application (triggers installation of a separate irrigation water meter): Irrigation Application (PDF). Projects costing >$40,000 must provide Workers Comp affidavit and Certificate of Insurance.

Retaining wall application: (use one application per address) Retaining Wall Application (PDF).  Projects costing >$40,000 must provide Workers Comp affidavit and Certificate of Insurance.

Solar Installations:  https://www.apexnc.org/1345/Solar (to be used when the only work is solar panel installation - permit & inspection fees are waived).  

Checklists:

A completed Commercial Project Checklist (PDF) is required for commercial projects. There may be some items that are not applicable to your project - you may simply indicate N/A or "not applicable" for those sections.