Bolthole Index

Johnston County, North Carolina

Building permits, zoning and land rules in the Town of Selma, NC

The Town of Selma, North Carolina requires town zoning approval with building-permit applications for new structures, additions and changes of use; Selma directs applicants to Johnston County Building Inspections.1 Selma sets local zoning, while Johnston County Environmental Health evaluates and permits septic systems where needed.23 Tiny houses must connect to public water, sewer and electricity.4

At a glance

Building permit
Town zoning approval first; building applications go to Johnston County Building Inspections1
Zoning
Selma UDO applies; lot size and setbacks depend on district256
Septic
County Environmental Health evaluates sites; state law requires approvals where an approved wastewater system does not serve the property37
RV living
Restricted on residential premises; consenting residents may host bona fide guests for up to 72 hours8
Tiny house
Permitted-use table controls; permanent foundation and public water, sewer and electric connections required94
Owner-builder
State contractor-license exemption has ownership, occupancy and affidavit conditions10
Private well
Local health-department construction permit and Certificate of Completion required11

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Town of Selma Planning & Economic Development

Town zoning approval and development applications

[email protected]

Online permits →

Building permits

Johnston County Building Inspections

Building-permit and inspection contact identified by Selma for town projects

919-989-5060

309 E. Market Street Smithfield, NC 27577

Septic permits

Johnston County Environmental Health Department

Septic site evaluations, approvals and installed-system inspections

(919) 989-5180

[email protected]

309 E. Market Street Smithfield, NC 27577

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 Selma 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 Selma, NC?

New construction in Selma is subject to North Carolina building-permit requirements, with statutory exceptions for qualifying work.12 Selma requires a town zoning permit to accompany a building-permit application for a new structure, addition or change of use.1 The town directs building-inspections inquiries to Johnston County Building Inspections, while town Planning handles zoning approval.1314 Selma also requires inspections to secure a Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance before occupying a structure.15

Who handles building permits and zoning approval in the Town of Selma?

Start with Town of Selma Planning & Economic Development for zoning approval; the town offers an online development-application portal on its permits page.14 Contact Planning at [email protected] and use the office link below to reach the portal.14 For building-permit and inspection questions, Selma lists Johnston County Building Inspections at 919-989-5060 in the Land Use Center in Smithfield.13 Septic evaluation is a separate responsibility of Johnston County Environmental Health, rather than town Planning.3

Does the Town of Selma have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

The Town of Selma has a Unified Development Ordinance governing land inside town limits.2 Selma minimum lot area and front, side and rear setbacks depend on the zoning district; accessory-building provisions also apply.56 Selma limits building height and impervious surface by district, and stricter watershed-overlay impervious-surface requirements control when applicable.1617 For uses without public water or sanitary sewer, required lot size may also depend on Johnston County Health Department requirements.5 Ask town Planning to identify the parcel district and applicable standards before choosing a building footprint.14

Can you live in an RV or tiny house in the Town of Selma?

Selma restricts RV living or sleeping on residential premises, with an exception allowing a bona fide guest of a town resident to occupy an RV with resident consent for no more than 72 hours; lawfully operated mobile-home or travel-trailer parks are separately excepted.8 That guest exception does not establish permission to use an RV as a home while building.8 Selma allows tiny houses only according to its permitted-use table and applicable district requirements.9 A Selma tiny house must have a permanent foundation, secure wind-resistant tie-downs and connections to public water, sewer and electricity; wheeled or trailer tiny houses are treated as RVs.49

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

Where a Selma property is not served by an approved wastewater system, North Carolina requires an improvement permit and construction authorization for covered wastewater-system work, unless an engineered or Authorized On-Site Wastewater Evaluator option applies.7 Johnston County Environmental Health evaluates septic suitability and issues or denies approval based on the lot evaluation.3 County Environmental Health accepts an application with documentation from the appropriate zoning authority and requires a septic site plan.3 A wastewater operation permit is required before occupancy or system use.18 Private drinking-water wells require a local health-department construction permit and a Certificate of Completion before use.11 Selma tiny houses specifically require public utility connections.4

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

  1. Ask Selma Planning to confirm zoning approval and the district standards for the proposed use, lot and building footprint.1456
  2. Resolve wastewater service; if septic is needed, submit zoning documentation and a site plan to Johnston County Environmental Health for evaluation and approval.3
  3. Submit the building-permit application with the Selma zoning permit to the county building-inspections contact identified by the town.113
  4. Complete required inspections and obtain the Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance before occupancy.15

An owner acting as contractor must meet North Carolina ownership, intended-occupancy, management and affidavit requirements; the exemption does not waive building permits.1012 For land outside Selma’s jurisdiction, consult the Johnston County guide, because county and municipal zoning codes are separate.19

Watch-outs

  • A Selma tiny house requires public water, sewer and electricity, so a private well and septic system do not satisfy the town’s tiny-house utility rule.4
  • We could not confirm a Selma minimum dwelling-floor-area requirement or current town planning fees; ask Town of Selma Planning & Economic Development before budgeting.14
  • Selma floodplain and watershed-development applications require a site plan prepared by a North Carolina licensed engineer, architect or professional surveyor.20

Sources

  1. Permits - Town of Selma (Town of Selma), quoted and re-checked
  2. Unified Development Ordinance - Town of Selma (Town of Selma), quoted and re-checked
  3. Johnston County Environmental Health Department (johnstonnc.gov)
  4. Selma Code of Ordinances, Sec. 17-565 - Tiny house (Town of Selma), quoted and re-checked
  5. Selma Code of Ordinances, Secs. 17-430 through 17-438 - Density and dimensional regulations (Town of Selma), quoted and re-checked
  6. Selma Code of Ordinances, Secs. 17-430 through 17-438 - Density and dimensional regulations (Town of Selma), quoted and re-checked
  7. G.S. 130A-336. Improvement permit and construction authorization required (North Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Selma Code of Ordinances, Sec. 17-593 - Description of property blight (Town of Selma), quoted and re-checked
  9. Selma Code of Ordinances, Sec. 17-565 - Tiny house (Town of Selma), quoted and re-checked
  10. G.S. 87-1. "General contractor" defined; exceptions. (North Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Rules Governing the Permitting and Inspection of Private Drinking Water Wells, 15A NCAC 02C .0300 (North Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. G.S. 160D-1110. Building permits. (North Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Johnston County Building Inspections (selma-nc.com)
  14. Town of Selma Planning & Economic Development (selma-nc.com)
  15. Permits - Town of Selma (Town of Selma), quoted and re-checked
  16. Selma Code of Ordinances, Secs. 17-430 through 17-438 - Density and dimensional regulations (Town of Selma), quoted and re-checked
  17. Selma Code of Ordinances, Secs. 17-430 through 17-438 - Density and dimensional regulations (Town of Selma), quoted and re-checked
  18. G.S. 130A-337. Inspection; operation permit required (North Carolina statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Zoning Definitions, quoted and re-checked
  20. Selma Code of Ordinances, Article VI - Permits and Final Plat Approval (Town of Selma), 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 Selma

Town of Selma’s own rules

  • Building permitLimited

    New structures, additions, or changes of use inside Selma town where a building-permit application is made.

    • A Selma zoning permit must accompany the building-permit application.
    • The page directs applicants to Johnston County Building Inspections for building-inspections contact information.
    “A Zoning Permit from the Selma Planning & Economic Development Dept. must accompany a building permit application for a new structure, addition, or change of use.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    One- and two-family residential buildings inside Selma town.

    • The adopted code is the current edition identified in Sec. 5-51.
    “The current edition of the North Carolina Uniform Residential Building Code, as adopted by the North Carolina Building Inspectors Association and as published by the North Carolina Building Code Council, is adopted by reference as fully as though set forth herein as the residential building code for one- and two-family residential buildings in the town.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Structures inside Selma town seeking a Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance.

    • The town says various inspections are conducted to secure the Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance.
    “Various types of inspections are conducted in order to secure a Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance to occupy a structure.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy of a structure inside Selma town.

    • The town calls the document a Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance.
    “Various types of inspections are conducted in order to secure a Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance to occupy a structure.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Selma town limits.

    • The Town Council adopted the UDO on February 14, 2017; the town page states an effective date of March 31, 2017.
    “The result of this effort was the adoption of an Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) by the Town Council on February 14, 2017, with an effective date of March 31, 2017.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    All lots inside Selma town; exact minimum area varies by district under Sec. 17-430.

    • Water Supply Watershed Overlay and cluster-development provisions are cross-referenced.
    • For uses not connected to public water or sanitary sewer, lot sizes may vary based on Johnston County Health Department requirements.
    “Subject to the provisions of Sections 17-422D.6. and H., which are part of the Water Supply Watershed Overlay District; 17-440, "Single-Family Residential Cluster Development"; all lots shall be at least the minimum size prescribed in the Table of Density and Dimensional Regulations in Section 17-430 in the column labeled "Min. (minimum) Lot Area."”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Buildings inside Selma town; exact front, side, and rear setbacks vary by district under Sec. 17-430.

    • Accessory-building and other Sec. 17-435 provisions apply.
    • Signs are governed by referenced sign-setback sections.
    “Subject to Sections 17-436, "Accessory Building Setback Requirements," and the other provisions of this section, no portion of any building may be located on any lot closer to any lot boundary line or to the street right-of-way or the centerline line than is authorized in the Table of Density and Dimensional Regulations in Section 17-430 in the columns labeled "Min. Front Yard Setback," "Min. Side Yard Setback," and "Min. Rear Yard Setback."”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Lots or properties inside Selma town; maximum impervious surface is set by the Sec. 17-430 table.

    • Water Supply Watershed Overlay requirements may be more restrictive and control.
    “All lots or properties shall have the maximum square footage of impervious surfaces prescribed in the Table of Density and Dimensional Regulations in Section 17-430 in the column labeled "Maximum Impervious Surface Area" except that impervious surfaces may be less as required in Section 17-422, Water Supply Watershed Overlay Districts. The more restrictive requirement shall control.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Buildings inside Selma town; maximum height varies by district under Sec. 17-430.

    • Sec. 17-438 contains stated exemptions from district height limits.
    “No building shall be taller than the maximum height prescribed in the Table of Density and Dimensional Regulations in Section 17-430 in the column labeled, "Maximum Bldg. Height."”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    RV living or sleeping on residential premises inside Selma town.

    • A bona fide guest may occupy an RV with the resident's consent for no more than 72 hours.
    • The cited property-blight rule identifies lawfully operated mobile-home or travel-trailer parks as an exception to the general prohibition.

    guest occupancy maximum: <= 72 hours (Bona fide guest of a town resident, with resident consent.)

    “Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to prohibit bona fide guests of a town resident from occupying a recreational vehicle upon residential premises with the consent of the resident for a period not to exceed seventy-two (72) hours.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Tent-only camping in recreational-vehicle parks inside Selma town.

    • Tent-only sites may not exceed 20 percent of the recreational-vehicle park's gross area.
    • RV temporary uses are separately prohibited by Sec. 17-453.

    tent-only camping maximum: <= 20 percent of park gross area

    “Recreational vehicle parks may allow for designated tent-only camping sites, not to exceed twenty (20) percent of the park's gross area.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Tiny houses inside Selma town.

    • Allowed only as provided in the permitted-use table.
    • Must meet the applicable State Building Code, Modular Construction Program, or HUD manufactured-housing program; trailer/wheeled tiny houses are RVs.
    • Must comply with permanent-foundation, utility, and district-standards requirements.
    “A tiny house shall be allowed in accordance with Section 17-410 Table of Permitted Uses, subject to the following:”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Single-wide mobile or manufactured homes on individual lots inside Selma town.

    • The home must meet the applicable zoning-district minimum lot size.
    • Additional RA District standards apply to mobile homes moved to a parcel or lot within the RA District.
    “All single-wide mobile homes and single-wide manufactured homes shall have the minimum lot size required in the zoning district in which the home is placed.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Manufactured-home parks and occupied units inside Selma town.

    • They must connect to Selma municipal systems or to systems approved by the Johnston County Environmental Health Department or appropriate North Carolina state agencies.
    “The manufactured home park and all occupied units located in it must be connected to the Selma municipal water and sewerage systems or other systems approved by the Johnston County Environmental Health Department or the appropriate North Carolina state agencies.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Recreational-vehicle parks inside Selma town.

    • Each park space must have a safe, adequate, and convenient central water-supply and sewage-system connection.
    • The systems must be central public systems or state-approved private central systems.
    “All recreational vehicle parks must be connected to central public water and sewer systems or state approved private central water and sewer systems.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Tiny houses inside Selma town.

    • A tiny house must be on a permanent foundation with secure wind-resistant tie-downs and connected to public water, sewer, and electric utilities.
    • It must also comply with the applicable district's UDO requirements.
    “A tiny house must be situated on a permanent foundation with secure wind resistant tie downs and connected to public water, sewer and electric utilities.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Minor subdivisions within Selma's subdivision-regulation jurisdiction.

    • A minor-subdivision final plat may create no more than three total lots from one tract.
    • A final plat approval is contingent on recording within 60 days after the approval certificate is signed.

    minor subdivision maximum lots: <= 3 lots (Includes two new lots plus the original-lot remainder.)

    “Not more than a total of three (3) lots (or two (2) new lots plus the remainder of the original lot for a total of three (3) lots) may be created out of one (1) tract using the minor subdivision plat approval process, regardless of whether the lots are created at one (1) time or over an extended period of time.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Recreational-vehicle parks inside Selma town.

    • Driveways must use all-weather material such as bituminous or concrete or equal pursuant to Appendix B.
    • The park must have direct access to a public-maintained road and a secondary exit.
    “All driveways must be constructed of all-weather material, such as bituminous or concrete or equal pursuant to Appendix B. Recreational vehicle parks shall have direct access to a public maintained road and shall have a secondary exit.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning, special-use, subdivision, floodplain, watershed, certificate-of-appropriateness, and sign-permit applications inside Selma town.

    • Applications must be complete before the permit-issuing authority must consider them.
    • Floodplain and watershed-development applications require a site plan prepared by a North Carolina licensed engineer, architect, or professional surveyor.
    “All applications for zoning, special use, subdivision approval, flood plain, and watershed development permits, or certificates of appropriateness or sign permits must be complete before the permit-issuing authority is required to consider the application.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Selma town.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Selma town.
  • Septic permit — On-site wastewater systems inside Selma town.
  • Well permit — Private wells inside Selma town.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural construction or land use inside Selma town.
2 more unanswered
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Selma publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Johnston County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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