Bolthole Index

Forsyth County, North Carolina

Building permits, zoning and septic in the Town of Lewisville, NC

A new home in the Town of Lewisville, North Carolina needs building permits under state law, with building permits and inspections handled by Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections.123 Lewisville sets its own land-use rules through the town’s Unified Development Ordinance; septic approval stays with Forsyth County Environmental Health.45

At a glance

Building permits
Required for a new home; joint City-County Inspections issues building and trade permits12
Zoning
Town UDO governs land use, subdivision and environmental management4
Septic
Forsyth County Environmental Health; soil/site evaluation for a new system6
RV living
RV-park rules do not establish permission to live on a private lot; ask Town Planning78
Owner-builder
Conditional contractor-license exemption; affidavit and inspection-presence requirements apply9
Wells
County well construction permit required for a private water-supply well10
Occupancy
Certificate of occupancy required before occupying the building or site11

Who to call

Zoning

Town of Lewisville Planning Department

Town zoning, subdivision and environmental regulations; land-use and development questions

(336) 945-1028

[email protected]

6510 Shallowford Rd Lewisville, NC 27023

Building permits

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Division (Planning and Development Services Department)

Building and trade permits, inspections, and enforcement of Lewisville’s adopted zoning code

336-727-2624

Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building 100 E First Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Septic permits

Forsyth County Environmental Health (Wastewater/Septic)

Septic tank permits, Health Department Releases for building on lots with an existing septic system, and soil/site evaluations for new systems in Forsyth County

336 703 3225

799 North Highland Avenue Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Lewisville means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in the Town of Lewisville, NC?

A new house in Lewisville needs building permits under North Carolina law, and permitted work must comply with the State Building Code and applicable local laws.112 State law includes exceptions for qualifying repairs and replacements, so ask City-County Inspections to classify the proposed work before assuming a small project is exempt.12 An owner-builder in Lewisville may qualify for a contractor-license exemption, but must provide a verified affidavit and meet inspection-presence requirements unless a licensed architect drew and sealed the plans.9

Who issues building permits in the Town of Lewisville?

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Division issues building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits and enforces Lewisville’s adopted zoning code.2 Lewisville’s own Planning Department handles town zoning, subdivision and environmental regulations and supports the town’s development-review boards.8 Contact Town Planning for the parcel’s allowed use and development path, then City-County Inspections for building and trade approvals.82 Building-permit applications must be submitted electronically, even when you visit the inspections office for help.2 Septic approval remains with Forsyth County Environmental Health rather than Town Planning.5

Does the Town of Lewisville have zoning and minimum lot rules?

Lewisville has town zoning: the Unified Development Ordinance governs land uses, subdivision and environmental management within the town.4 The Lewisville Planning Department maintains the official zoning map, and the town warns that its displayed snapshot can change after approved rezonings.13 Ask Town Planning to identify the current district and applicable lot-size, setback and impervious-surface standards for your parcel.8 We could not confirm a general minimum dwelling size or a reliable lot-coverage limit; ask Town Planning before choosing a house footprint.8 Lewisville publishes a planning fee schedule for development applications.14

How do septic permits and wells work inside the Town of Lewisville?

Forsyth County Environmental Health handles septic services inside Lewisville, including soil/site evaluations for land without public sewer.15 For a new septic system, the soil/site evaluation supports an improvement permit and authorization for septic tank construction.6 On a Lewisville property with an existing septic system, a Health Department Release is required before a building permit for additions, outbuildings, pools, decks or replacement mobile homes; adding bedrooms may require another soil/site evaluation.16 A private water-supply well for household, irrigation or business use needs a county well construction permit application.10 A private drinking-water well also needs a Certificate of Completion before entering service.17

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in the Town of Lewisville?

Lewisville’s verified RV provisions address recreational-vehicle parks and short-term camping in designated park contexts; those provisions do not establish permission to live in an RV on any private lot.718 Ask Town Planning specifically about temporary RV occupancy while building and whether your proposed use requires zoning approval.8 We could not confirm Lewisville’s tiny-home occupancy rules; describe the proposed foundation, wheels and dwelling classification to Town Planning and City-County Inspections before buying the unit.82 North Carolina’s park-trailer guidance requires qualifying dual labeling for permanent dwelling use, which does not by itself establish Lewisville zoning approval.194

Building a home in the Town of Lewisville: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Town Planning to confirm the zoning district and proposed use; Lewisville’s UDO controls town land use and subdivision.84
  2. Arrange the soil/site evaluation and septic approvals with Forsyth County Environmental Health if public sewer does not serve the lot; obtain a Health Department Release for work on property with an existing septic system.6
  3. Apply electronically to City-County Inspections for the building and trade permits, and confirm the required inspection stages.23
  4. Complete required inspections and obtain the certificate of occupancy before moving into the Lewisville home.2011

What should you check before buying land in the Town of Lewisville?

For a Lewisville subdivision proposal, water, sewer or septic, drainage and access standards apply; required utilities must be constructed or financially guaranteed for final plats.21 Major subdivisions within 1,000 feet of public water must provide public water and install fire hydrants, so do not assume every development can rely on private wells.22 Ask Town Planning about floodplain review and agricultural-building treatment, and Town Public Works about driveway access; we could not confirm the town-specific requirements for those proposals.8 For a parcel outside town limits, use the Forsyth County guide to check the county’s unincorporated-area zoning rules.23

Watch-outs

  • Lewisville RV-park provisions do not confirm private-lot RV occupancy while building; ask Town Planning before relying on an RV as housing.78
  • An existing septic system does not remove the Health Department Release requirement for additions, decks, pools and outbuildings.16
  • Occupying a Lewisville building or site before the required certificate of occupancy is issued is a violation.11

Sources

  1. G.S. 160D-1110. Building permits. (North Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  2. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Division (Planning and Development Services Department) (cityofws.org)
  3. lewisvillenc.net (Town of Lewisville), quoted and re-checked
  4. lewisvillenc.net (Town of Lewisville), quoted and re-checked
  5. Environmental Health septic frequently asked questions, quoted and re-checked
  6. General Information - Wastewater / Septic, quoted and re-checked
  7. Town of Lewisville Unified Development Ordinance (Town of Lewisville), quoted and re-checked
  8. Town of Lewisville Planning Department (lewisvillenc.net)
  9. NC General Statutes Pertaining to the Enforcement of the NC State Building Code (Town of Lewisville), quoted and re-checked
  10. Permitting & Inspecting, quoted and re-checked
  11. Town of Lewisville Unified Development Ordinance (Town of Lewisville), quoted and re-checked
  12. NC General Statutes Pertaining to the Enforcement of the NC State Building Code (Town of Lewisville), quoted and re-checked
  13. Town of Lewisville Unified Development Ordinance (Town of Lewisville), quoted and re-checked
  14. Forms & Applications (Town of Lewisville), quoted and re-checked
  15. Environmental Health, quoted and re-checked
  16. Forsyth County Environmental Health (Wastewater/Septic) (co.forsyth.nc.us)
  17. Rules Governing the Permitting and Inspection of Private Drinking Water Wells, 15A NCAC 02C .0300 (North Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Town of Lewisville Unified Development Ordinance (Town of Lewisville), quoted and re-checked
  19. RV Park Design Guidance (North Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. G.S. 160D-1116. Certificates of compliance; temporary certificates of occupancy. (North Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. lewisvillenc.net (Town of Lewisville), quoted and re-checked
  22. Town of Lewisville Unified Development Ordinance (Town of Lewisville), quoted and re-checked
  23. Inspections Division, quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Lewisville

Town of Lewisville’s own rules

  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Buildings and other structures, and site preparations for occupancy, inside Lewisville town.

    • The requirements of the UDO and other applicable laws or codes must be complied with.
    • Occupancy before issuance is a violation.
    • A zoning-permit application must be accompanied by a certificate-of-occupancy application.
    “Occupancy of such building or site prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy is a violation subject to the provisions of Section A.6 Enforcement.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Lewisville town's zoning jurisdiction.

    • The Town's UDO governs land use, zoning, subdivision, development review, and environmental management.
    “The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) contains all the regulations pertaining to land uses, zoning, subdivision, and environmental management within the Town.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and zoning-map administration inside Lewisville town.

    • The Planning Department maintains the official zoning map.
    • The Town's map page states that the displayed map is a 2024 snapshot and may change when the Town Council approves rezonings.
    “The Town of Lewisville Planning Department shall maintain an official Zoning Map showing the boundaries of all zoning districts. The Zoning Map shall be incorporated into this Ordinance upon its adoption and shall be made available for public inspection.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational-vehicle parks and RV occupancy uses inside Lewisville town.

    • RV parks are subject to district-specific conditions and special-use/site-plan requirements.
    • In AG, RS-30, RS-40, and YR districts, the park must be at least 10 acres and have no more than 10 RV spaces per acre.
    • The cited provision addresses RV parks, not every form of private RV occupancy.

    minimum RV park area in AG, RS-30, RS-40, and YR: >= 10 acres · maximum RV spaces per acre in AG, RS-30, RS-40, and YR: <= 10 spaces per acre

    “No recreational vehicle shall be used as a permanent place of residence. Occupancy extending beyond three (3) months in any twelve (12) month period shall be presumed to be permanent occupancy and is prohibited in a recreational vehicle park.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary RV and tent camping inside Lewisville town.

    • The UDO permits the use in designated recreational-vehicle-park contexts with district-specific conditions.
    • The cited provision does not establish unrestricted camping on all private land.
    “To permit short term recreational vehicle and tent camping on relatively large amounts of land without the necessity or desirability of being immediately adjacent to main highways or built-up areas, while preserving an open character and promoting outdoor recreational activities.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Major subdivisions inside Lewisville town.

    • All major subdivisions within 1,000 feet of public water must provide public water and install fire hydrants.
    • If public water is not available or required, the plat must identify the private water system.
    • The plat must identify public sewer or, if unavailable or not required, the private sewer or septic system.

    public-water distance: <= 1000 feet (Applies to major subdivisions.)

    “All major subdivisions of land within one thousand (1,000) feet of public water shall be required to provide public water to the subdivision and install fire hydrants in accordance with Fire Department of Lewisville standards.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside Lewisville town.

    • Final plats require applicable public or private utilities to be constructed or financially guaranteed.
    • Water, sewer/septic, drainage, access, and other subdivision standards apply.
    “The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) contains all the regulations pertaining to land uses, zoning, subdivision, and environmental management within the Town.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Lewisville planning, zoning, subdivision, and development-review applications.

    • The Town publishes a Planning Fee Schedule; the opened page does not establish that all county inspection or building-permit fees are included.
    “Planning Fee Schedule | | Download File (58.83 KB)”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Lewisville

Town of Lewisville does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner-builders seeking a building permit for work inside Lewisville town.

    • The applicant must qualify for the statutory licensure exemption.
    • The applicant must be personally present for required inspections unless plans were drawn and sealed by a licensed architect.
    • Additional proof and affidavit requirements apply.
    “If an applicant claims an exemption from licensure pursuant to G.S. 87-1(b)(2), the applicant for the building permit shall execute a verified affidavit”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building work inside Lewisville town subject to North Carolina building-code enforcement.

    • The work must comply with the State Building Code and applicable local laws.
    • The official source provides statutory enforcement requirements rather than a Lewisville-specific adoption resolution.
    “A building permit shall be in writing and shall contain a provision that the work done shall comply with the State Building Code and all other applicable State and local laws.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Building inspections inside Lewisville town, administered through the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Department.

    • Inspections are handled through the county/city-county inspections department.
    • Inspections are performed as required by applicable State and local laws and the permit.
    “Inspections are handled through Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Department.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Lewisville or Forsyth County directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential dwellings inside Lewisville town.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage and impervious-surface limits inside Lewisville town.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Lewisville town.
  • Septic inspection — Septic-system inspections inside Lewisville town.
  • Well permit — Private drinking-water wells inside Lewisville town.
4 more unanswered
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Lewisville publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Forsyth County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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