Trade Permits are available to anyone who must obtain an Electrical, Fuel Piping, Mechanical, Plumbing or Multi-Trade  permit. Trade Permits provide for the permitting and inspections for projects with stand-alone single or multi trades when a Building Permit is not required. 

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

• Apply for Residential or Commercial permit types applicable to the trade, utilizing Civic Access public portal, providing a complete description of the proposed work including the location where the proposed work will be performed.
• A Plot Plan meeting all the specifications listed below in Plot Plan Requirements will be required if the property is served by an onsite septic system and the proposed work involves trenching, contact Environmental Health. The plot plan will need to show the proposed trenching location and demonstrate the trenching does not impact and maintains the required setbacks from the current septic system, its repair area, and any on-site wells.
• List all trade contractors under "Contacts" in the Civic Access public portal.
• Provide the following information for mechanical and water heater installations and change-outs:
  • Type of appliance to be installed or replaced. List if the appliance is gas or electric.
  • Location of the appliance: exterior, crawlspace, attic or basement.
  • List the areas of the structure the appliance will service - basement, first, second, or third floor.
• 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. Plot Plans not required for roof-mounted systems.

• 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, pool decking, 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.