Winston-Salem Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact

The Winston-Salem Planning and Development Services Inspections Division is a City-County agency that reviews and inspects building and zoning activity throughout most of Forsyth County. Its official service-area description excludes the city or town limits of High Point, Kernersville, and King, while covering Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, Clemmons, Lewisville, and Walkertown under the listed zoning authorities.

Winston-Salem and Forsyth permits

The division reviews plans and issues building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits under the North Carolina State Building Code. Its forms library includes commercial and zoning permit applications, residential and single-family permit materials, demolition applications, home-business zoning and permitting forms, change-of-use inquiries, and other development documents.

All permits must be applied for electronically. The city provides BuildIT and GeoCivix digital-submission resources for permit workflows, applications, document uploads, plan review, and project status. Select the correct workflow for the project type and authority before submitting, particularly when a project is near an excluded municipality.

Inspections and code compliance

Inspections are scheduled after the relevant permit is issued and the work is ready. The agency’s building and zoning review verifies compliance with state codes and the adopted Unified Development Ordinances of the jurisdictions it serves. Required trade, zoning, fire, utility, erosion-control, and other approvals may need to be completed before final approval or occupancy.

For a change of use, commercial upfit, new residence, addition, accessory building, or demolition, confirm the required application and inspection path with the Inspections Division. The City of Winston-Salem Fire Department separately notes that its construction and fire-permit inspections apply within Winston-Salem city limits, so fire jurisdiction should also be checked by address.

Forsyth County jurisdiction boundary

This is a regional City-County agency, not a universal permit authority for every address carrying a Winston-Salem or Forsyth County mailing address. High Point, Kernersville, and King have separate municipal limits and workflows. Use the agency’s service-area guidance and address verification tools before submitting plans or scheduling an inspection.

Official Winston-Salem and Forsyth contact information

The Inspections Division lists the Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building at 100 East First Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101, phone (336) 727-2624, and office hours Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The division notes that permit applications must still be submitted electronically; use the official BuildIT and GeoCivix pages for current digital instructions.