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Residential Permit Information for Owners as the General Contractor

This page contains permit information for Catawba County’s most common building application types. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all permit types. If the project falls outside one of these categories, please contact the Permit Center at 828-465-8399 for more information.


North Carolina grants owners an exemption to act as their own general contractor if they meet the following requirements.

  • The property MUST be listed in your name.
  • The property CANNOT be for rent, lease or sale for one year after the project is completed.
  • The owner exemption / unlicensed contractor forms MUST be completed and returned to the permit office prior to permits being issued.

If these requirements cannot be met, a licensed general contractor is required to permit and oversee construction. Please contact the Permit Center at 828-465-8399 for more information.