Apply for A Permit

Visit our Permit Center (Accela) to apply for a permit, make payments, check the status of your permit and schedule inspections.

  

 

Need assistance? View our step-by-step guide or detailed Permit Center tutorial.

Required Building Permits

Historic District: In addition to the list below, most exterior changes or alterations require prior approval. For more information, see the Local Historic District. To determine if a property is located in the Historic District, view the Local Historic District Map. 

Permit Fees: Planning & Inspections Fee and Charges Schedule (Effective 07-2024)

Residential  Commercial 
  • New Single Family Homes Including Mobile/Manufactured Homes
  • Demolition or Infill
  • Land Disturbing Activities Including Grading and Clearing
  • Additions or Exterior Alterations Including Porches, Ramps, Breezeways, Stairs & Screened Porches/Carolina Room, Changes to Roofline
  • Interior Alterations or Remodels
  • Deck
  • Fences, Walls, & Driveway Columns, Including Retaining Walls
  • Floodplain Development
  • Patios
  • Driveways Including New, Change in Size, or Change in Apron
  • In-Ground Swimming Pool
  • Seasonal Swimming Pool
  • Hot Tubs or Spas 
  • Sheds
  • Detached Buildings such as Garage, Pool House, Workshop, Greenhouse, Barn, Guest House, Pavilions etc.
  • Gazebos, Pergolas, Arbors & Trellises
  • Treehouses and Play Equipment IF Greater Than 12 Feet in any Dimension
  • Solar Panels
  • Beekeeping
  • Docks and Bulkheads
  • Propane Tank
  • Electrical Single Trade Work Including New Electrical or Alterations
  • Mechanical Single Trade Work such as Generator Hook-Up or Gas Piping etc.
  • Plumbing Single Trade Work such as RPZ valves, water and sewer lines etc.
  • Building Single Trade Work such as Building Steps and Foundation Repair
  • Tents (see FAQ's below)
  • Temporary Power
  • Home Health & Day Care
  • New Commercial Building, Addition or Alteration including Modular/Manufactured Units*
  • Demolition or Infill
  • Land Disturbing Activities Including Grading and Clearing*
  • Shed or Other Detached Accessory Structure or Building*
  • Signage
  • Fences, Walls, & Driveway Columns
  • Floodplain Development
  • Parking Lot/Driveway*
  • Decks, Patios, Docks & Bulkheads
  • In-Ground Swimming Pool*
  • Underground Propane Tank
  • Solar Panels
  • Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Building Single Trade Work
  • Tents (see FAQ's below)
  • Temporary Power
  • ABC Permit
  • Beekeeping
  • Home Health & Day Care

*Requires site plan review and development approval prior to building permit. See Planning page for more information

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which permit should I apply for?
    Click here to view our quick guide. This guide is intended to direct applicants to apply for the correct permit and is not a comprehensive list of all work requiring permitting. Still unsure? Contact the Planning & Inspections Department at 910-295-1900.
  • What are the setbacks? How far am I required to be from the property line?
    To find the setback, first find your zoning district. Use this information to cross-reference the Table of Dimensional Requirements in Section 9.2 of the Pinehurst Development Ordinance.

Setbacks vary based on the type of development. Please contact a Planning & Zoning Specialist for more information.

  • What types of fences are allowed? What is the maximum height?**
    The Village of Pinehurst allows the following fence types: picket, post and rail (or split rail), wrought iron, brick, stone, vinyl or wood shadowbox or solid board-on-board. Chain link fences are not allowed for residential use. Lattice and chicken wire are not allowable fence types. Any fence, wall, enclosure, driveway column, or retaining wall over 18 inches in height requires a fence permit, including garden fencing. 

The maximum fence height in residential zoning districts is 6 feet; however, height restrictions apply based on the location and material type. View our Permit Guide for more information.

**Other standards apply in the Historic District. Please contact us for more information: 910-295-1900.

  • Can I put a fence in the golf course or lakefront setback?
    No. Fences are not allowed in the golf course or lakefront setback. The minimum accessory structure setback from a golf course or lakefront is 30 feet from the property line.
  • How do I know where my property lines are?
    A professional surveyor can survey your property lines. The Village of Pinehurst does not offer this service. For a general idea of your property lines, please view the map on the Moore County GIS website.
  • Do you have a copy of my building permit, plans, or survey?
    If your house was built or underwent significant alterations within the last six years, we may have copies. To request public records, please click here. 

You can also search by address for records or permits using our online Permit Center (Accela). 

  • Is a survey required for a building permit?
    For single family development, a survey prepared by a licensed surveyor or engineer is required for new construction, additions, swimming pools, accessory buildings (such as detached garages or pool houses) and development in which a permanent foundation is being constructed. 

    In order to prevent a delay in the processing of your permit application, please have the survey uploaded at the time of submittal. For questions on whether a survey would be required for your project, please contact a Planning & Zoning Specialist. 
  • What is impervious surface? How do I calculate it?
    Impervious surface includes any material which reduces and prevents absorption of storm water into previously undeveloped land. This includes but is not limited to: buildings, driveways, walkways, patios, and concrete or gravel surfaces etc. Decks and the water area of swimming pools are considered pervious.  The Village of Pinehurst regulates the maximum percentage of impervious surface on each lot to ensure storm water is adequately absorbed into our watersheds and aquifers in order to maintain public water supply.

To calculate the percentage of impervious surface on a lot, divide the total square footage of all impervious surfaces by the total square footage of the lot and multiply by 100.

  • What are the regulations on storage sheds?
    Storage sheds have no dimension greater than twelve feet (12'), including length, width, and height. A maximum of one shed is allowed per property. It must be compatible in style and color to your house. Sheds are only allowed in the rear yard and must be five feet (5') from all property lines, unless adjacent to a golf course or lake in which case accessory building setbacks apply. A permit is required. Please include with your application a color picture of the shed and a map or sketch showing the location of the shed and distance from the property lines. 
  • What are the regulations on playground equipment or swing sets?
    All swing sets, children's playground equipment, and treehouses, must be located in the rear or side yard and must not be closer than 10 feet from the property line. If any dimension of the playground equipment, including treehouses, exceeds 12 feet then NC State Building Code applies and a building permit is required, specifically an 'Accessory Structure - Residential' permit. 
  • When is a permit required for a tent?
    If a tent exceeds 800 square feet, a permit is required per NC State Building Code. In addition, the Village of Pinehurst may require a temporary use permit. 
  • Do I need a permit to take down a tree?
    Generally, you will not need a permit. However, if the tree is located in the Village right-of-way, removal must be approved by the Public Services Department: 910-295-5021. If your property is located in the Historic District, a certificate of appropriateness (COA) may be required. If there is extensive land disturbing activity, such as site alteration or grading for development, a development permit may be required. 

  • Are above ground swimming pools allowed?
    No. Above ground swimming pools are prohibited except for seasonal swimming pools. Seasonal swimming pools are defined as 48 inches deep or less. A permit is required every year. It must be located in the rear yard and must be a minimum of 10' from all property lines. It is allowed to be erected from May 1 to September 30 and must be removed and stored in a location not visible from the street or adjacent property from October 1 to April 30. 

If a seasonal swimming pool can contain 24 inches or more of water, a 48 inch or greater barrier (such as a fence) is required per North Carolina State Building Code. 

  • What are the regulations on accessory dwellings (e.g. guest house or in-law suite)?
    Accessory dwellings are allowed by right in the R-210 zoning district and allowed with special requirements in the Local Historic District and VCP, VR, VMU, and R-MF zoning districts. For other residential zoning districts, a special use permit must be approved by Village Council in a quasi-judicial hearing. For further regulations, view Section 8.7, SR-109 of the Pinehurst Development Ordinance. 
  • What are the regulations on outdoor firepits or fireplaces?
    See Outdoor Burning FAQ's for regulations. In addition, an accessory structure permit is required if a detached masonry chimney is located less than 10 feet from other buildings or lot lines.