Homeowner Internet Permitting (HIP)
About Homeowner Permitting
A resident of Mecklenburg County who meets the homeowner requirements may obtain a homeowner permit for work on their residential property (that is not deeded as a condominium). This is known as homeowner-serving-as-contractor. To be considered a homeowner, the permit applicant must be able to answer yes to all the following questions:
- Do you own the home?
- Is your name on the property deed?
- Is this your primary residence?
Contractor licensure exemptions for homeowners
- Building license: NC General Statue 87-1 (b)(2)
- Electrical license: NC General Statue 87-43.1
- Mechanical/Plumbing license: NC General Statute 87-21
Note: Persons designated in a trust or as power of attorney do not qualify as a homeowner for homeowner permitting purposes.
Important Information for Homeowners
Homeowner permits are only for individuals, qualified as stated above, who own and reside in the property and intend to do their own work. Homeowners who are hiring contractors to do work for them should not use homeowner permits -- in that case, a contractor should apply for and obtain the permit. For guidance, please call 980-314-CODE and follow the prompts for residential technical assistance.
Things to know before applying for a Homeowner Permit
- When creating a homeowner account, the homeowner is assuming responsibility for knowledge of building code, required inspections and requesting inspections in the appropriate order.
- For residential projects costing less than $40,000, homeowners may apply for a building permit in person or on-line through their homeowner accounts.
- For residential projects costing $40,000 or more, the homeowner may apply for a building permit, but is not eligible for a homeowner account. A bond account must be established and posted through Mecklenburg County and the homeowner follows the contractor permitting process. The homeowner is also required to complete an Owner Exemption Affidavit form declaring their ownership and that they live, or plan to live, in the home for a minimum of 12 months after project completion.
- If the homeowner is performing their own trade work (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) a Homeowner Trade Work Certificate of Ownership form is required. If the trade work is connected to a building permit, the homewoner has the option to apply online and the form is uploaded during the on-line process. If the trade work is not connected to a building permit, this form must be submitted in person with the trade permit application(s).
- A homeowner acting as their own trade contractor must personally install the electrical, mechanical, and/or plumbing work themselves.
Additional assistance may be found in the Homeowner Toolbox.
Homeowner Permitting Process
Homeowner permits may be obtained through our customer portal, AccelaMeck.
For information on obtaining a homeowner-acting-as-contractor permit, please contact our Customer Service Center at 980-314-CODE(2633).