To begin this process, three considerations must be addressed. These considerations are water and sewer, zoning and applicable codes.

Water and sewer may be regulated by Union County Water, Environmental Health or a combination of the two agencies.

Adherence to the NC Building Code is mandated by the Building Code Enforcement Division.

To secure a residential building permit, you must submit a completed building permit application. Forms are available online via the link below or in our office. Along with this application, you must either have an accessibility letter from Public Works of Sewer and/or Water (this letter may be required to come from the appropriate planning jurisdiction), or a septic permit or septic waiver from Environmental Health. You will also need zoning approval (parcels under the jurisdiction of the County will be handled in our office), lien agent and workers comp information (if the job is over $30,000).

Cost of a residential permit is based upon square footage (heated and/or unheated). Please reference the fee schedule.

The Zoning Administrator is responsible for the enforcement and administration of the Union County Development Ordinance, which governs the use of property, setbacks from property lines, violations of the ordinance and floodplain for unincorporated Union County. The Zoning Administrator is also part of the commercial plan review of buildings being constructed within the County's jurisdiction.

Union County’s zoning jurisdiction does not include the following cities, towns and villages:

• Fairview
• Indian Trail
• Lake Park
• Marshville
• Marvin
• Mineral Springs
• Monroe
• Stallings
• Unionville
• Waxhaw
• Weddington
• Wesley Chapel
• Wingate

For more information about zoning in those jurisdictions, please contact them directly. You can find their contact information in the Development Guide.

• State building codes
• Current and past electrical codes
• North Carolina Amendments

• NC Licensing Board for General Contractors
• NC Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
• NC Board of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors
• NC Department of Insurance

• Fire Marshal
• Planning
• Water
• Stormwater