Building permits and zoning in Charlotte

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts on this page come from Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement and the City of Charlotte’s zoning and rezoning pages.

Building in Charlotte usually means two offices. Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement issues the building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits and does the code inspections. The City of Charlotte’s Planning, Design and Development department handles zoning, rezoning, tree and stormwater rules under the city’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

Who to call

• Building permits and inspections (county): Code Enforcement, 980-314-2633 (980-314-CODE), 2145 Suttle Ave., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
• City review of a project: CLT Development Center, 704-336-6692, CLTDevelopmentCenter@charlottenc.gov
• Variances, appeals, UDO questions: Planning, Design and Development, 704-336-3818
• Planning Commission meetings: 704-336-2205
• Zoning complaint: dial 311 (704-336-7600)

County building permits

The county’s permitting page says permits are required for new construction, alterations, repairs, moves and demolition of one- and two-family homes and townhomes, and for any electrical, mechanical or plumbing work. Separate permits are needed for building, electrical, heating, air conditioning and plumbing.

Residential work costing $40,000 or less may not need a permit unless it involves:

• Load-bearing structure
• A new or changed plumbing system
• A new, replaced or redesigned heating or air conditioning system
• A new, replaced or redesigned electrical system
• Materials the code does not allow
• New roofing, other than replacing like with like

The county’s When do I need a permit? brochure gives examples, and fees are in the LUESA fee ordinance. Apply and request inspections through AccelaMeck, and search permits issued to any property in the last six years with the county permit search.

Doing the work yourself

The county’s homeowner permitting page lets you act as your own contractor if you can answer yes to all three: you own the home, your name is on the deed and it is your primary residence. Condominiums do not qualify, and neither does someone acting under a trust or power of attorney.

• Projects under $40,000: apply in person or online through a homeowner account.
• Projects of $40,000 or more: you can still get the permit, but through the contractor process, with a bond and an Owner Exemption Affidavit saying you will live in the home at least 12 months after the work is done.
• Doing your own electrical, mechanical or plumbing work requires the Homeowner Trade Work Certificate of Ownership, and you must install it yourself.

If you are hiring a contractor, the contractor pulls the permit.

The city’s review under the UDO

Charlotte’s UDO took effect June 1, 2023. Since then the city reviews residential projects for drainage, trees and zoning in its own Accela Citizen Access system, separately from the county, according to the city’s individual residential lot review page.

Projects that need the city review include new single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes and quadraplexes, accessory dwelling units, garages, detached structures over 12 feet in any dimension, additions, pools, retaining walls, decks, detached solar panels and docks.

• You can submit to the city before or at the same time as the county.
• The city aims for three business days for its intake check and seven business days for review, with seven more for any resubmittal.
• Once the city approves, it releases its holds on the project in the county system.
• Review fees are on the city’s user fee schedules.

To check how a lot is zoned, use Charlotte Explorer or read the ordinance itself at read.charlotteudo.org.

Rezoning

An owner who wants to use land in a way its zoning district does not allow must petition the city to rezone it. A pre-submittal meeting with planning staff is required before filing, and the rezoning application packet sets out each step.

• City Council holds rezoning public hearings on the third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m.
• The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission’s Zoning Committee meets 15 days after each hearing and recommends approval or denial to the council. The commission’s Planning Committee meets the third Tuesday of the month on area plans and long-range policy, according to the Planning Commission page.
• Neighbors can follow cases with the city’s rezoning in my area guide (PDF) and the guide to getting involved (PDF).

Meetings stream on the department’s YouTube channel.

Variances and appeals

The UDO Board of Adjustment hears appeals of the zoning administrator’s decisions and requests for variances. A presubmittal meeting is required before applying for a variance. The board meets at 600 E. Fourth St., second floor. Its 2026-27 schedule (PDF):

Fees are on the city’s UDO administration fee sheet (PDF).

What this means for you

• A deck, pool, garage or addition in Charlotte likely needs both a county permit and a city review. Start the city side early.
• Hiring a contractor? The contractor pulls the permit, not you.
• Watch the third-Monday rezoning hearings for cases near you.

Related: property taxes, real estate transfers and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

Who issues building permits in Charlotte?

Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement issues building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits for Charlotte. Call 980-314-2633 or apply through the county’s AccelaMeck portal.

Do I need a city permit too?

Often, yes. Since the Unified Development Ordinance took effect June 1, 2023, new homes, additions, garages, decks, pools, accessory dwelling units and similar projects need a separate city review in the City of Charlotte’s Accela Citizen Access system.

Can a homeowner pull their own permit in Mecklenburg County?

Yes, if you own the home, your name is on the deed and it is your primary residence. Projects under $40,000 can use a homeowner account online; larger ones follow the contractor process with a bond and an owner affidavit.

When does Charlotte City Council hear rezoning cases?

City Council holds rezoning hearings on the third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. The Planning Commission’s Zoning Committee reviews each petition 15 days later and makes a recommendation.

How do I get a zoning variance in Charlotte?

Variances go to the UDO Board of Adjustment after a required presubmittal meeting with city staff. The board’s next meetings are Oct. 27, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15, 2026.