Opening a Business in the Town of Forest City
Welcome to the Town of Forest City!
We are excited to support you as you begin or expand your business here. Forest City is a community that values growth, collaboration, and the success of the businesses that call our town home. Our goal is to make your transition as smooth and straightforward as possible, and we hope you enjoy operating your business here as much as we enjoy living here.
Support for New and Existing Businesses
The Town of Forest City provides several free services to help individuals and companies meet local code requirements and safety regulations. All inspections conducted by the Code Enforcement Department and the Fire Marshal are offered at no cost. These inspections ensure that essential life-safety standards are met prior to opening.
Under North Carolina G.S. 160A-194, municipalities are authorized to regulate and license occupations, businesses, trades, and similar operations in order to protect public health, safety, welfare, and convenience. Our processes are designed with exactly that mission in mind.
Steps to Open a Business
To ensure your business complies with the Town’s building, fire, and zoning regulations, please complete the following steps:
- Submit a Business Registration Application
This application must be completed and approved before proceeding. - Submit a Utility Application
A completed utility application is required to establish water, sewer, and/or electrical services. - Schedule a Pre-Occupancy Inspection
The Inspections Department will verify that your space is safe and code-compliant before occupancy. - Complete a Zoning Review
The Zoning Official/Town Planner will review your business operations for compliance with zoning requirements (UDO Permitted Uses). - Receive a Fire Inspection
The Fire Marshal will assess fire safety conditions to ensure the building meets required life-safety standards.
Need Assistance?
If you have questions or need help navigating the process, please contact the Town of Forest City Utility Collections Department at 828-245-0148. We are here to support you every step of the way.
Common FAQs
When is a permit required?
Building permits are required for any construction, alterations, repairs or additions to any building. For non-structural work under $5,000.00, a building permit is not required. All installation or repairs to electrical, plumbing, heating or air conditioning requires a permit for each trade.
Is a permit required for construction of a deck?
Yes, a permit is required to determine compliance with the building code.
When is a contractor's license required?
A contractor's license is required when the total project cost of construction is $40,000.00 or more.
Exception: A homeowner who lives in the home and plans to live there for 12 months may do his or her own work without a license. Any applicable permits are still required to determine compliance with state and local codes. The following form is a North Carolina State Requirement that MUST be submitted to the Code Enforcement Department, reviewed, approved/denied, and recorded by the North Carolina Licensing Board of General Contractors prior to the issuance of permits. Owner Exemption Affidavit Pursuant to NCGS87-14(a)(1)
What is considered an accessory building?
Storage buildings, gazebos, detached garage, manufactured carports, decks and porches, or any structure that is detached from a principal structure (dwelling) on the same lot and must be located in the rear setback of the yard. Residential Accessory Structures do have certain specifications that are required. For additional clarification please see Town of Forest City Code of Ordinances Chapter 4 Section 4.2.2.
Accessory Structure Permit Application
Setbacks according to Zoning District:
| DISTRICT | FRONT SETBACK (feet)2 | SIDE SETBACK (feet)2 | REAR SETBACK (feet)2 | MAX HEIGHT (feet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-20 | 35 | 10 | 15 | 35 |
| R-15 | 35 | 10 | 15 | 35 |
| R-8 | 25 | 10 | 10 | 35 |
| R-6 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 35 |
| O-1 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 35 |
| C-1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 60 |
| C-2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 60 |
| C-3 | 35 | N/A | N/A | 60 |
| M-1 | 35 | 20 | 20 | 60 |
Is a permit required for installing a fence?
No, but installation must meet the required setbacks and height by the building code. See Chapter 8, section 8.5-Fences and Walls of the Code of Ordinances for additional information.
Do I need a permit for demolition?
Yes. Although there is no fee, the inspection department is required to inspect the site before, during and after demolition. Demolition Permit Application
When does a permit expire?
A permit expires six (6) months after the date of issuance if the work has not started. The permit will expire if, after commencement, the work is discontinued for a period of twelve (12) months.
Can I operate a business from my home?
Yes, with limitations. A home occupation business can only be operated in certain zoning districts. You will need to contact a zoning official at 828.248.5239 for more information.
How many sets of plans are required for Non-Residential plan approval?
The town requires (1) set of printed engineered plans and a digital set emailed to FCBuilding@TownofForestCity.com .
If I am in the ETJ (Extra Territorial Jurisdiction) do I need to obtain any permits?
Yes. The permit application process applies to persons in the ETJ just as it does for persons inside city limits.
When is a zoning permit required?
Prior to any building permit being issued or installing any other outside home accessory structure.
Manufactured Home Permits FAQs:
Town of Forest City Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Chapter 4, 4.2.6 Manufactured Homes (on individual lots)
According to the Town of Forest City's Unified Development Ordinance, a Manufactured Home is defined as, "a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities. The term "manufactured home" does not include a "recreational vehicle".
Can I put a mobile/manufactured home on my property?
According to the Town of Forest City's Permitted Uses Table, manufactured homes can be placed on individual lots that are zoned, R-6 (Residentially Zoned properties that are a minimum of 6,000 sq ft), and R-20 properties (20,000 sq ft minimum).
What are the requirements for the mobile home I want to install?
(B) The manufactured home shall be constructed in accordance with federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards as 24 CFR 3280 (HUD Code) and shall have been manufactured on or after July 13, 1994, the date upon which HUD wind load requirements became effective.
(C) The manufactured home shall be at least twenty-four (24) feet by forty (40) feet excluding the towing apparatus.
(D) The pitch of the manufactured home's roof shall have minimum vertical rise of two and two-tenths (2.2) feet for each twelve (12) feet of horizontal run and the roof shall be finished with a type of shingle that is commonly used in standard residential construction.
(E) The exterior siding shall consist predominantly of vinyl or aluminum horizontal lap siding (that does not exceed the reflectivity of gloss white paint), wood, or hardboard, comparable in composition, appearance and durability to the exterior siding commonly used in standard residential construction.
(F) A continuous, permanent masonry foundation, unpierced except for required ventilation and access, shall be installed under the manufactured home.
(G) The tongue, axles, transporting lights and removable towing apparatus shall be removed subsequent to final placement.
(H) Installation shall be in accordance with North Carolina Department of Insurance Standards.