The following is a general outline and guide to obtaining permits needed to erect or construct a commercial structure. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Planning Department to determine the zoning designation of the proposed location; to insure that the proposed use is permitted in that zoning district; and to determine if the location is within the transportation overlay zone. All applicable permits may be applied for at the Central Permitting Office, located in the Planning Building on 20 Referendum Drive at the Brunswick County Government Center.

The following information is needed to process all commercial permit applications:

RULE: It shall be unlawful to begin the excavation, construction, moving, alteration, or repair, except ordinary repairs, of any building or other structure, including an accessory structure prior to obtaining a Zoning Compliance Permit.

RULE: It shall also be unlawful to change the type of use of land, or to change the type of occupancy of any building, or to extend any use on any lot on which there is a nonconforming structure until an application has been made and the Zoning Administrator has issued a Zoning Compliance Permit.

Detailed Site Plan should include and be in accordance with Commercial Development Site Specific Checklist. The site plan will be reviewed for compliance with all applicable development ordinances.

Information Needed:

• The shape, location, and dimensions of the lot: if the lot is not a lot of record, sufficient data to locate the lot on the ground.
• The shape, size and location of all buildings, or other structures, to be erected, altered, or moved, and of any other buildings, or other structures already on the lot.
• The existing and intended use of the lot and of all structures on it.

A detailed site plan should be provided in accordance with the Commercial Development Site Specific Checklist. This plan will be reviewed and approved by the Zoning Administrator for consistency with all county development requirements.

Information Needed:

• Detailed Site Plan
• Completed Storm Water Permit Application

Contact Brunswick County Engineering Dept. at (910)253-2409 for more information.

If commercial structure will have individual septic tank, an environmental suitability test should be conducted and permit applied for in Central Permitting.

Proposed Detailed Site Plan should accompany Environmental Health Application.

Two (2) copies of Building Plan Blueprints or comparable plans (drawn to scale) that include detailed handicapped facilities should be submitted to the Fire Marshal for review.

Two (2) copies of Building Plan Blueprints or comparable plans (drawn to scale) that include detailed handicapped facilities should be submitted to Building Inspections for review.

Commercial Metal Buildings

Same information as above, with the following additional information:

• Foundation Plan
• Anchor Bolt layout and size
• Roof load
• Engineer certification of required wind zone

Fees are based on a combination of heated space, unheated space, and uncovered space. Permits are issued to N. C. State Licensed Building Contractors possessing a current Commercial Building license or owner if intent is to occupy, not rent, lease, or sell the building.

Information Needed:

• Tax Parcel Number
• Septic/Sewer Permit
• Building owner’s name, address, phone number
• Contractor’s name, address, phone number, N.C. License number.
• Directions to property.
• CAMA/FEMA/STATE PERMITS (where applicable)
• Detailed Site Plan approved by Zoning Administrator
• Copy of Building Plan Blueprint or comparable plan approved by Building Inspections
• Water Certification
• Storm Water Approval
• Fire Marshal Approval
• Workman’s Comp. Certification
• Municipal approval (if applicable)

Electrical permits are issued to N.C. Licensed Electrical Contractors or to owner if it is his/her intent to occupy, not rent, lease, or sell the building.

Information Needed

• Building Permit Number
• Amperage Load
• Number of circuits

Plumbing Permits are issued to N.C. Licensed Plumber Contractors or to owner if it is his/her intent to occupy, not rent lease or sell the building.

Information Needed

• Building Permit Number
• Number of trap/fixtures
• Number of hot water heaters

Fees are based on tonnage or BTU’s per unit to be installed.

Permits are issued to N.C. Mechanical Contractors or to owner if it is his/her intent to occupy, not rent, lease or sell the building.

Violation / Re-Inspection

Violation Fee: Fee  Schedule

Re-Inspection Fee  Schedule
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY (CO)

• Zoning Compliance Inspection
• Environmental Health Inspection for individual septic (if applicable)
• Sewer Certification (if applicable)
• Building Inspection
• Fire Marshal Inspection
• FEMA/CAMA Certification (if applicable)