Demo Permits are required for the removal and demolition of both Residential and Commercial buildings or structures per the NC State Building Codes.

First, contact the Guilford County Planning & Development Department if your property is within unincorporated Guilford County or if within Town limits, contact the appropriate Town’s Planning Department to verify the property is not located within Historic District or building/structure is not a Historic Landmark.

To apply for a Demo Permit (Residential or Commercial) you will need to submit:

• Apply for Permit Type: Demo Permit utilizing Civic Access public portal, providing a complete description of the proposed work.
• A Plot Plan meeting all the specifications listed below in Plot Plan Requirements. Show all buildings/structures to be demolished and all existing buildings/structures to remain, label accordingly to demonstrate scope of work.
• Development Clearance Certificate containing all approved information approved from the Town, if the property is located within a Town served by the Inspections Department.
• An Appointment of a Lien Agent for projects costing $40,000 or more.
• A certificate of Workers' Compensation insurance or a completed affidavit of Workers Compensation exemption form for contractors for projects costing $40,000 or more. 
• A notarized affidavit Owner-Contractor form for projects costing $40,000 or more and where an owner is listed as the general contractor.
• If the property is served by well and/or septic, separate permits or approvals may be required from Environmental Health.  
• Additional approvals may be required from Guilford County Planning & Development regarding Zoning- Use & Setbacks, Watershed and Soil Erosion.

Plot Plan Requirements

A good resource for a plot plan is a survey issued for a recent mortgage or refinance closing. If you draw the plot plan yourself, be sure to sign and date it, and include contact information. The following are requirements to be shown on the Plot Plan.

• The plot plan should be drawn to scale, using an acceptable engineering scale. Include bar scale, north arrow, date map prepared including revision dates.
• Name and contact information of preparer of the map.
• Property lines with dimensions and road frontage shown.
• Dimensions, location and use of all existing and proposed buildings and structures including additions; distances between buildings measured at the closest point; and distance from buildings to closest property lines.
• Existing and proposed driveways, patios, decking around proposed pool, walkways, etc.
• All water features including drainage easements, streams, buffers, and flood zone. Watershed boundaries and WCA Tier lines labeled, including allowable and proposed impervious surfaces, total built-upon area shown in acres and with percent of total area noted.
• Any other easements or restrictions must be shown.