Obtaining My Permit

Obtaining My Permit for a New House
If you have a general contractor, he must get the permit. If the contractor is the homeowner, then he or she must get the permit.  You will need the following items before a permit can be issued:

  1. Zoning Permit (if applicable)
  2. Septic Authorization (unless city sewer)
  3. Building Plans
  4. Lien Agent Information or Exemption
  5. Portal
  6. Apply for Electrical Service

1. ZONING PERMIT (IF APPLICABLE)
Is your property located in the TTown of Bostic, own of Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, Rutherfordton, or Spindale? If so, you will need to get a zoning permit from the appropriate official as follows.

CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE
(Adding sf such as a new house or addition, adding a building to your property, addition to a building, building a deck or retaining wall)

Stephen G Duncan (828) 777-5718
109 Terrace Dr
Chimney Rock, NC  28720

TOWN OF LAKE LURE
(Check with the Town for any work, esp adding sf or increasing the height of a building.)
Kimberly Martin (Community Development)
(828) 625-9983 ext. 135
2948 Memorial Hwy
Lake Lure, NC  28746
TOWN OF RUTHERFORDTON
(adding sf--ex: adding building or addition)
Wendy Burch
828-287-3520 ext 4
144 N Mitchell St
TOWN OF SPINDALE
(adding sf--ex: adding building or addition
Will Stroupe
828-286-3466
125 Reveley St
Spindale, NC  28160
 TOWN OF RUTH (Signs only)

Amie Hanaway
828-287-7943
PO Box 791
Rutherfordton, NC  28139 
TOWN OF BOSTIC (New Home, mobile home, or RV) Cindy Moore
828-245-5108


2. SEPTIC AUTHORIZATION
You may need a septic authorization.  These include:  Authorization to Construct, Authorization to Operate, Operational Permit, or Existing System. If you are adding a bedroom to your existing home, you will also need to obtain an updated layout--even though you may have an existing tank/system. For any questions about septic tank layouts or "perc tests," contact the Foothills Health Department at 221 Callahan-Koon Road in Spindale. You can also call them at (828) 287-6317 or visit their website by clicking on the following link:
Foothills Health Department

3. BUILDING PLANS
You may need building plans if you are building a house. This includes modular homes, log homes, and barndominiums--but not mobile homes. We will need these plans before the first inspection can be done. 

4.  LIEN AGENT INFORMATION OR EXEMPTION
The State of NC now requires an "Appointment of Lien Agent" for your residential project which costs $40,000 or more and which is not a renovation on the homeowner's EXISTING residence or something accessory to the residence.  Visit the http://www.liensnc.com website and print off the form generated at the end of the process.  We need the ID number which is unique to each project.  

5.  RESIDENTIAL/MOBILE HOME/DEMO/MISCELLANEOUS BUILDING--We now have an online portal.   Civic Access (tylerhost.net)

Once you have an assigned building inspector, it is best to talk with him as he will know you, your site, and your project, and can best answer your questions or concerns. Until that time and for general inquiries or for correspondences related to your permit such as termite verifications, engineering designs, etc., please e-mail us at permits@rutherfordcountync.gov. Please be sure to reference your permit number if you have one assigned.

6.  APPLY FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE
If you are building and will be applying for service with Duke Energy, see the following pamphlet:
Apply For Service
If you are applying for service with Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation (REMC), please contact Member Services at 828-245-1621.