We enforce the regulations outlined in the most current versions of the NC Building Codes and National Electric Code (NEC). If you would like to view the current NC Building Codes, the International Code Council (ICC) has made the current versions available for viewing on their website: North Carolina Codes

In addition to the enforcement of the current NC Building Codes and the NEC, our office also performs inspections mandated by The NC Fire Code; please contact our office if you have any questions regarding fire inspection requirements.

Monthly Building Permit Report September 2024

Monthly Building Permit Report August 2024

Monthly Building Permit Report - July 2024

When Do You Need a Permit - CLICK HERE

North Carolina General Statutes require issuance of a building permit prior to construction, alteration, or repair of any building or building system.

There are certain exceptions to building permit requirements. Exceptions are as follows:

• Certain farm buildings that do not contain electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems.
• Roofing replacement or repairs that are not of a structural nature. 

• Before any permit can be issued in Jackson County a Land Development Permit is required. This permit would be approved through our office (Land Development Application available at the bottom of this page). 
• Our office must have proof of an approved method of sewage disposal before we can receive an application for a Building Permit. For information regarding septic systems permitted through the Jackson County Environmental Health Department, you may call their office at 828-587-8250. Also, some areas of Jackson County are equipped with community wastewater systems, Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority (TWSA), or Utilities, Inc. In these areas, our office will require a letter from the serving authority before receiving a building application. 
• If you plan to build in a zoned area, our office will need a copy of an approved Zoning Certificate before we can issue your Building Permit.
• In addition to a completed Building Permit packet, we will, also, need drawings drawn to scale and specifications with sufficient clarity to show the work to be performed. 

All the requirements mentioned for a Residential Building Permit are, also, required for a Commercial Building Permit. In addition to these requirements, our office will require two printed sets of commercial plans for a plan review. Also, a digital plan should be submitted in the form of a pdf or jpg file.

Plans for all building except shall be prepared by a NC registered design professional except the following:

• Single-family residence 
• Farm buildings 
• Institutional or commercial building not exceeding $90,000 value 
• Institutional or commercial building not exceeding 2500 square feet 

Once a full permit packet is submitted, the application and plans will be reviewed promptly in the order in which they are received. 

A property owner may undertake construction on property that he/she owns. However, if the cost is greater than $30,000, current statutes would require an owner/building to have their plans sealed by a design professional if they do not want to be present for all inspections. The requirements for an owner/building are further described in the affidavit that must be completed to be an owner/builder. To see those requirements, please see Owner Excemption Affidavit at the bottom of this page.

For questions regarding stormwater or erosion & sediment control permitting and regulations you may contact:

Danny Lewis, Phone:828-226-7678, E-mail: dannylewis[at]jacksonnc.org

Please be sure to contact our office at least 24 hours before beginning new grading work.

Our County inspects all sites with new disturbance on a regular basis to check for compliance with the NCDEMLR Stormwater Design Manual - CLICK HERE. And the proper installation of sediment control measures in the NCDEMLR Design Manual - CLICK HERE.

A permit is required in Jackson County for any new land disturbance. The smallest amount of land disturbance can be permitted with the issuance of a single page Land Development Permit (see application below). This permit would cover a total land disturbance of less than 1/2 an acre.

Typically, stormwater review is not required for projects disturbing less than 1/2 acre, but some projects that are under 1/2 an acre of disturbance may still require a stormwater plan and review if they lie within a regulated district.

For larger projects, the Land Development Permit is still required, but a Financial Responsibility Form is, also required in order for our office to issue a permit for any land disturbance greater than 1/2 acre (see Erosion Control Half Acre or More, Stormwater Installation Application at the bottom of this page).

For land disturbance of more than 1/2 acre erosion control plan review must be completed and the appropriate permit(s) must be issued before work can begin.

3 sets of plans are required for review.

Disturbance less than 1/2 acre: A plan is not required for a grading permit to be issued.

Disturbance from 1/2 - 3 acres: You may draw your own plan.*

Disturbance greater than 3 acres: Plan must be drawn by a design professional.*

Disturbance greater than 5 acres: Plan must be drawn by a design professional and self-inspections must be completed and submitted monthly by said design professional to our office. Surety bond is required.

*Contractors for sites with more than 1 acre of disturbance will be responsible for completing NCDEMLR Self-Inspection forms; these forms must remain on the site during construction. These forms can be found on the NCDEMLR website. CLICK HERE

Our office has been appointed to enforce the regulations outlined in the Jackson County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance; this includes floodplain permitting & inspections. We have several Certified Floodplain Managers (CFMs) in our office that can assist you with the necessary requirements for development of a property within floodpalin areas. Please contact one of our CFMs in the appropriate office with any questions or concerns before beginning development. For further information contact Tony Elders at 828-631-2284 or Jeff Wilson at 828-586-7578.

For additional information regarding development in Jackson County, please review the following helpful handouts and checklists:

Checklist for Development in Jackson County

Deck Construction

Land Use Ordinances

Who Regulates What?

County Erosion Checklist

Residential Erosion Control Brochure

2021Tiny House Brochure

2021 Commercial Plan Review

Applying for Service with Duke Energy (Requires 911 address)

See a list of fillable pdf applications below for development and building. Please see our current Fee Schedule above if you have any questions about the fee(s) for your permit(s). If you have any questions about these applications, feel free to call our offices at:

Sylva Office: 828-586-7560

Cashiers: 828-745-6850

Request public records online at: www.jacksonnc.org/public-records-request

Building/Fire Permit Forms

Energy Efficiency Certificate - FILLABLE

New Construction Building Application Packet

Addition/Remodel Application Packet

Accessory Structure Building Application Packet

Manufactured Home Application Packet

Miscellaneous Permit Application

Manufactured Home Park Application

Fire Prevention Permit Application

911 Address Request Form (Required for Power)

Owner Exemption Affidavit

Erosion/Floodplain Forms 

Land Development Application

Erosion Control, Stormwater Installation Application

Floodplain Application