McDowell County Building Inspections administers both the North Carolina-mandated Building Codes and the North Carolina state-mandated National Flood Insurance Rate Program regulations.
Contractors and those applying for permits for repairs due to storm damage: Specific permits have been created in our system to help us keep track of the damage. Please choose the version of the permit you need that says "Due To Helene"—for Example Electrical Damage Due To Hurricane Helene, or Residential Remodeling Due To Hurricane Helene.
Homeowners who need to report structural damage from Helene please pull a permit for an ATC-45 Rapid Evaluation Safety Assessment.
For your convenience, all permit applications are completed through our online Application/Inspection Portal available 24/7 at co-mcdowell-nc.smartgovcommunity.com
If you have any questions or need any help with our online portal there are step-by-step instructions/presentations below.
Our portal does not recognize addresses, it will instead require you to enter your Parcel Number. To get your Parcel Number please go to McDowell County GIS online change the search criteria from Parcel Search to Address Search and enter the address of the property you wish to pull the permit for. When you see your property with the little dot, click on it and a box will appear on the left side of the screen. Your Parcell Number will be in the top of the box. When you enter your parcel number into the portal to create your permit, DO NOT HIT ENTER. Type in the number, wait for the dropdown box to appear, and click on it. If you hit enter, sometimes the box won’t appear.
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All inspections should be requested through the online portal.
However for emergencies, please contact LaShay via text at (828)-925-2064.
For information on Live Remote Inspections please see the below PDF.
Because our inspectors cover such a large area, they make their routes by the day.
If you request a morning inspection, your inspector will come between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
If you request an evening inspection, your inspector will come between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
If you need them to meet you at a more specific time, reach out to your inspector their numbers are listed below.
Senior Building/Fire Code Official Thomas Clifton: (828)-925-2065
Building Code Official Dalton Lee: (828)-925-0741
Fire Code Official MacKenzie Burnette: (828)-559-733
For fire inspection information please scroll down.
To make a complaint fill out the form below:
McDowell County Complaint Form.pdf
For step-by-step instructions or help using our mobile system please see the PDFs below.
How To Sign Up For The McDowell County Online Portal.pdf
How To Find Your Parcel Number.pdf
How To Apply For Your Permit.pdf
How To Pay For Your Permit.pdf
How To Request Your Inspections.pdf
Printable forms for permitting.
Affidavit Temporary Housing Building Emergency Rule.pdf
Owner exemption form blank.pdf
McDowell County Updated Conditional Power Form.pdf
Affidavit of On-site Wastewater Existing System.pdf
To obtain a Lien Agent Form: https://www.liensnc.com/
Permits Required by North Carolina General Statues:
1- Residential
A. All additions to existing residential property
B. All remodeling (renovations) that affect the structural portions of the structure
C. All changes to the Electrical. Plumbing, Heating/ Cooling systems (excluding normal repairs)
D. All new structures including Houses, Garages, Shops, and Storage Buildings will require a Building Permit. (NC statutes require any structure 12ft and greater in any dimension to be permitted).
2- Commercial
A. All additions to existing commercial property
B. All remodeling (renovations)
C. All changes to use for existing structures
D. All new structures
E. All changes to Electrical, Plumbing, Heating/ Cooling systems (excluding normal repairs)
3- Flood Plain
A. All new structures including Barns, Storage Sheds, etc
B. All land-disturbing activities
C. All remodeling (renovations) to existing property
The Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) can be viewed online at ncfloodmaps.com. These maps are also available for viewing in the Building Inspections Office.
4- Pyrotechnics
All Pyrotechnic Shows must be permitted and approved in accordance with N.C.G.S. 58 Article 82A, 11 NCAC 05D, and Chapter 56/Section 5608 of North Carolina State Building Code: Fire Prevention Code.
All Firework Show permits must be filed at least six weeks in advance, giving time for the Board of Commissioners to meet and vote for approval.
Pyrotechnic Legislation 11 NCAC 05D.0113
Pyrotechnic Legislation Article 58-82A
https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/NCFC2018/chapter-56-explosives-and-fireworks
Fire Inspection Information
McDowell County Fire Inspection Public Information.pdf
Fire Watch Information
Fire Watch Requirements and Procedures.pdf
Winter Fire Safety
Heating-Fire-Safety-Handout.pdf
Heating-Fire-Safety-Handout-Spanish.pdf
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety.pdf
Holiday Fire Safety
Holiday-Fires-Infographic-Spanish.pdf
Home Fire Escape Plan
NFPA Home Fire Escape Plan.pdf
McDowell County Fire Code Official MacKenzie Burnette at (828)-559-7313.
The State of North Carolina requires a routine fire inspection to be conducted on each commercial establishment in our jurisdiction. The frequency of these inspections is listed below.
Once a year: Hazardous, High-Rise, Assembly, Institutional, and Residential except for one and two-family dwellings. In multi-family occupancies, this only includes interior common areas of dwelling units.
Once every two years: Industrial and Educational Occupancies (Except for public schools)
Once every three years: Mercantile, Business, Storage, and Churches.
Other Inquiries
For questions about septic and well systems please contact Environmental Health at (828)-652-2921 Ext 300.
All activities within the City Limits of Marion are permitted through the City of Marion Building Inspections Department, their phone number is (828) 652-3551.
All questions in regard to development standards in any of the above-listed regulations should be addressed to the McDowell County Chief Building Official.
FY 2024 Financial Report