Central Permitting Ordinance amended 90523
RANDOLPH COUNTY
CENTRALIZED PERMITTING ORDINANCE
DEFINITIONS
A. Central Permit Office: A central office staffed with professional technicians where a
citizen can obtain all development permits or applications required for land use
development. The central office is designed to make the permit process more convenient
and streamlined for the public and to be a vital component of computerized County land
records management.
B. Land Records Management System: An integrated computerized land records
management system is a collection of separately functioning land development sub-
systems that allow the common maintenance of a parcel database. This system is utilized
to maintain and allow access to computerized information generated by the daily
transactions involving land development and construction.
C. Geographic Information System (GIS): A system of computer hardware and procedures
designed to support the capture, management, manipulation, analysis, and display of
spatially-referenced data designed to solve complex planning and management problems.
D. Permit: An official document issued by Randolph County authorizing performance of a
specified activity.
E. County Official: An employee of Randolph County charged with the authority to
administer or issue permits and perform inspections as outlined in this ordinance.
F. Central Permitting Advisory Committee: An advisory body appointed by the Randolph
County Manager that is comprised of representatives of the departments working in,
affected by, or providing support for Central Permitting.
The committee is appointed by the County Manager and contains representatives from
Building Inspections, Environmental Health, Fire Marshal’s Office, Planning and Zoning,
Information Technology, Tax and Legal. The County Manager can appoint additional
members to the committee as he/she sees fit.
G. Kiosk Site: Dedicated computer workstation(s) located at various locations throughout
Randolph County where individuals can apply for permits and upload associated
documents online.
ARTICLE A
Delegation of Authority
Section 1. Authority
The Central Permitting process involves procedures that involve and affect many different
county departments including but not limited to, Building Inspections, Environmental Health,
Fire Marshal, Information Technology, Planning & Zoning, and Tax. Each affected Department
Head has the authority over processes that fall squarely within his/her department’s
responsibilities as outlined in this ordinance. It is recognized, however, that a change in process
made by one Department Head could have unintended consequences for others. In these
instances, the Central Permitting Advisory Committee has the authority, as set out in its Bylaws,
to review these decisions to ensure an integrated process that provides effective and efficient
service. Any appeal from a majority decision of the Advisory Committee by a member
Department shall be made to the County Manager.
Section 2. Purpose
The purpose of this ordinance is to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of Randolph
County citizens by streamlining the development permit process through a centralized County
permitting system, integrating all development information by parcel identifier into a
computerized land records management system.
Section 3: General Responsibilities
Each department listed in Section 1 above shall:
Maintain a computerized Land Records Management Program and any related
Geographic Information System (GIS) for use by Central Permitting.
Provide representation to the Central Permitting Advisory Committee as specified in the
committee bylaws.
Permit Application Fee Refund Policy:
No refunds are allowed once substantial work has commenced or a permit/vested right
has expired. Substantial work is defined as practical work performed by an authorized
County official performed outside the office or work performed in the office that results
in the expenditure of County funds in furtherance of the permit.
Before substantial work has commenced, permit fees will be refunded less an
administrative fee.
For residential permits, the administrative fee will be $10.00 or 25% of the permit fee,
whichever is greater up to a maximum of $75.00.
For commercial permits, the administrative fee will be $10.00 or 25% of the permit fee,
whichever is greater up to a maximum of $150.00.
Refunds will be processed upon the County’s receipt of a fee refund request form.
ARTICLE B
Building Inspections
Section 1. Authority
Authority granted the Randolph County Inspections Department are defined by the North Carolina
General Statutes Pertaining to the Implementation and Enforcement of the North Carolina State Building
Codes.
The provisions of the North Carolina State Building, Plumbing, Electrical,
Mechanical, Fuel & Gas, Energy, Accessibility Codes and Standards referenced
therein as adopted by the North Carolina Building Code Council.
Amendments to codes and standards referenced above which have been adopted
and published by the North Carolina Building Code Council shall be effective at
such time the amendment has been adopted or come to be part of the North
Carolina Technical Codes.
Section 2. Responsibilities
The Director of Inspections will ensure that all staff are state certified, if required, and adequately trained
for inspecting facilities or systems, issuing permits or processing applications. In addition, the Director of
Inspections will ensure the Inspections Department remains efficient in its processes of implementing and
enforcing the North Carolina State Building codes.
Permitting:
Construction permits listed as required permits under the North Carolina General Statutes, shall be issued
in accordance with applicable state laws, rules, regulations and local ordinances.
Applications for construction permits required by state law will be processed
through the Randolph County Department of Inspections or Central Permitting
Office in such form and detail as prescribed by the Director of Inspections under
applicable North Carolina General Statutes.
Permits that are required by state law will be developed and maintained by the
Director of Inspections or his / her designee in accordance with state law.
Inspections:
A Certified, North Carolina Code Enforcement Official employed by or contracted by Randolph County
shall perform inspections of buildings, structures, electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems for
compliance with the above referenced North Carolina State Building Codes.
It shall be the responsibility of the permit holder or their authorized agent for
notifying the inspections department when permitted work is ready for inspection
and to provide access and means for the inspection of work required by code.
Timeliness of inspections will be performed in accordance with the North
Carolina General Statutes.
Enforcement:
Legal remedies are set forth in the North Carolina General Statues, including but not limited to
fines and criminal charges for violations of applicable North Carolina State Building Codes,
Laws and Regulations.
Plan Review:
Drawings and design specifications, as required by the inspection department shall be drawn to
scale with sufficient clarity and detail to indicate the nature, character and scope of the work and
shall accompany the application or transmittal for a permit. All information, drawings,
specifications and accompanying data shall bear the name, address and signature of the person
responsible for the design. Construction projects shall be reviewed for compliance with
applicable state laws, construction standards and the current edition of the North Carolina State
Codes.
Additional data: The inspection department may require details, computations,
stress diagrams or documentation sealed by a registered design professional and
other data necessary to describe the construction or installation of a system.
Submittal requirements: Three completed sets of construction documents and
specifications, along with supporting data are required prior to the start of the review.
Acceptance of electronic documents is at the discretion of the Inspection department.
Review times: The Plans Examiner will review the complete submittal package within 3
to 5 business days. Review times may be increased based on complexity of projects and
or other requirements from state and local agencies.
Responsibility: It shall be the responsibility of the applicant / permit holder to
ensure that all documents are complete and in compliance with applicable codes
and standards prior to submitting for review.
ARTICLE C
Environmental Health
Section 1. Authority
North Carolina General Statutes Chapter130A Public Health, 15A NCAC 18A .1900 Laws and
Rules for Sewage Treatment, and Disposal Systems, 15A NCAC 2C Well Construction
Standards,
Section 2. Responsibilities
Permitting
The Local Health Department shall issue or deny permits in accordance with the laws and rules
adopted by the State of North Carolina, as applicable for subsurface wastewater systems and
private drinking water wells.
Applications for wastewater and well permits will be available at the following location:
Randolph County Central Permitting office. Applications shall be submitted by the owner of the
parcel or by their authorized agent. Authorization must be granted in writing and signed by the
owner.
Inspections
Inspections shall be conducted to determine compliance with all applicable laws and rules.
Inspections may be performed before, during, and after issuance of permits. The submission
of the application grants permission and access to the property for required inspections.
It shall be the duty of the permit holder or their authorized representative to notify
Environmental Health when permitted work is ready for inspection and to provide access and
means for the inspections of work required by code.
Enforcement
Legal remedies, as set forth in the General Statues, including fines and criminal charges are
enforced for violations of applicable laws and rules.
Plan Review
15A NCAC 18A .1900 Laws and Rules for Sewage Treatment, and Disposal Systems dictate
which wastewater system require engineered plans. When required plans will be reviewed for
completeness and compliance with state rules. The plans may also be submitted to the State
Engineer for review. Two sets of construction documents and supporting data needed for
subsurface wastewater systems shall be submitted with each application in such form and detail
as required by 15A NCAC 18A .1900 Laws and Rules for Sewage Treatment, and Disposal
Systems..
It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all documents are complete and in
compliance with applicable codes and standards.
ARTICLE D
Fire Marshal
Section 1. Authority
NCGS 153A-234, 153A-351, 153A-352
The provisions of the North Carolina Fire Code together with all technical codes, standards and
appendices referenced therein as adopted by the North Carolina Building Code Council.
Amendments to codes and standards referenced above which are adopted and published by the
State Building Code Council shall be effective in the county at the time such amendments
become part of the North Carolina Fire Code.
Section 2. Responsibilities
Permitting
Applications for operational and construction fire prevention permits listed as mandatory in the
North Carolina Fire Code shall be submitted to Central Permitting in such form and detail as
prescribed by the fire code official. When approved, these permits shall be issued in accordance
with the applicable sections of the code.
Inspections
Periodic inspections of buildings, structures and premises as outlined in the North Carolina Fire
Code shall be conducted by fire code officials for the purpose of identifying activities and
conditions that pose dangers of fire, explosion or related hazards. Periodic inspections shall at no
time be conducted less frequently than described by the code.
It shall be the duty of the permit holder or their authorized representative to notify the fire code
official when permitted work is ready for inspection and to provide access and means for the
inspections of work required by code. Work shall not be done beyond the point indicated in each
successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the fire code official.
Enforcement
Legal remedies, as set forth in the General Statues, including fines and criminal charges may be
enforced for violations of applicable laws and rules.
Plan Review
Upon the submittal of applications along with associated documents and fees, a plans examiner
will review the documentation and guide the applicant through the remainder of the process.
It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all documents are complete and in
compliance with applicable codes and standards.
ARTICLE E
Information Technology
Section 1. Authority
Provides support as directed by the County Manager.
Section 2. Responsibilities
Maintain system security per department requirements. Provide and maintain required system
infrastructure. Perform system administration and ensure system performance and availability.
Work with vendors to resolve issues as necessary. Research and make recommendations on
improving system processes and act as project manager during implementation. Provide data
analysis to departments as requested.
ARTICLE F
Planning and Zoning
Section 1. Authority
In accordance with article 18, Chapter 153A of the North Carolina General Statue as amended
and may be amended, and the Unified Development Ordinance as adopted by the Randolph
County Board of Commissioners.
Section 2. Responsibilities
The Central Permit Office shall be a function of the Department of Planning and Zoning and
under the supervision of the Planning Director. Central Permit Office staff are responsible for
issuing necessary development permits and to ensure any proposed development complies with
County Unified Development Ordinance where applicable.
The Director shall develop and maintain adequate training programs and standards for Central
Permit Office staff. The Director may designate appropriately trained staff to ensure the
effective performance of the office.
Section 3. Permit Fees
Fees for permits shall be established by the Randolph County Board of Commissioners.
ARTICLE G
Jurisdiction
Section 1. Jurisdiction
This Central Permit Ordinance and related procedures are applicable to all territory within the
development regulatory jurisdiction of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners. County
Zoning and Building Inspections authority may apply to areas within municipal limits when
specifically requested by the municipal governing body and approved through due process by the
Randolph County Board of Commissioners. Public Health regulatory jurisdiction shall be that
provided in N.G. General Statutes.
Section 2. Effective Date
This Central Permit Ordinance shall become effective September 8, 2020.
Upon motion of Haywood, seconded by Allen, the foregoing Ordinance was passed by the
following vote:
Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Abstentions: None
I, Dana Crisco, Clerk of the Board of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, do hereby
certify that the foregoing ordinance was duly adopted by the governing body of Randolph
County at a regular meeting thereof, a quorum being present.
This the 8th day of September 2020.
Clerk
Article D Section 1 was updated by adding “appendices.”
Upon motion of Haywood, seconded by Allen, the foregoing Ordinance was passed by the
following vote:
Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Abstentions: None
I, Dana Crisco, Clerk of the Board of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, do hereby
certify that the foregoing ordinance was duly adopted by the governing body of Randolph
County at a regular meeting thereof, a quorum being present.
This the 5th day of September 2023.
Clerk