Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Hassell, North Carolina

Rules another office applies inside Town of Hassell

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

• Building permitRequired

  Construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, movement, removal, or demolition of a building or structure inside Hassell town limits when covered by G.S. 160D-1110.

  • The rule is subject to G.S. 160D-1110(c) and G.S. 160D-1110.1(h).
  • For work costing $40,000 or less in a single-family residence, farm building, or commercial building, G.S. 160D-1110(c) states no permit is required unless the work involves one of its listed categories, including load-bearing structures, plumbing-design changes, HVAC or electrical-design changes, non-Code materials, added roofing, or Fire Code changes.

  low-cost work threshold: <= 40000 USD (G.S. 160D-1110(c) exceptions apply)

  “no person shall commence or proceed [...] without first securing all permits required”

• InspectionsRequired

  Work proceeding under a building permit inside Hassell town limits.

  • Inspections are made as necessary to establish compliance with applicable State and local laws and permit terms.
  • For a permit obtained by an owner exempt from licensure under G.S. 87-1(b)(2), no inspection may occur without the owner present unless the building plans were drawn and sealed by an architect licensed under Chapter 83A.

  “local inspectors shall make as many inspections”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  A new, enlarged, altered, or moved building covered by G.S. 160D-1116 inside Hassell town limits.

  • A temporary certificate of occupancy may permit occupancy for a stated period if the inspector finds the building may safely be occupied before final completion.
  • The permit holder may request and be issued a temporary certificate if North Carolina State Building Code conditions and requirements are met.

  “no new building or part thereof may be occupied [...] until the inspection department has issued a certificate of compliance”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  On-site wastewater systems serving land inside Hassell town limits that is not served by an approved wastewater system.

  • The State statute assigns permit issuance to the local health department; this research did not locate an official Martin County or Hassell source identifying the specific office serving Hassell.
  • Engineered-option and Authorized On-Site Wastewater Evaluator permit options are exceptions stated in G.S. 130A-336.

  “No person shall commence or assist in the construction, location, or relocation of a residence, place of business, or place of public assembly in an area not served by an approved wastewater system unless an improvement permit and a construction authorization are obtained from the local health department unless that person is acting in accordance with the conditions and criteria of an engineered option permit pursuant to G.S. 130A-336.1 or the Authorized On-Site Wastewater Evaluator permit option pursuant to G.S. 130A-336.2.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction, location, relocation, installation, construction, or repair of an on-site wastewater system inside Hassell town limits where an approved wastewater system does not serve the site.

  • An Improvement Permit and Construction Authorization are required unless the person acts under the conditions and criteria of an engineered option permit under G.S. 130A-336.1 or an Authorized On-Site Wastewater Evaluator permit option under G.S. 130A-336.2.
  • No Improvement Permit or Construction Authorization is required for maintenance of a wastewater system.
  • The requirement does not apply to a manufactured residence exhibited for sale or stored for later sale and intended for another site after sale.

  “an Improvement Permit and a Construction Authorization”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  An on-site wastewater system inside Hassell town limits before it is covered or placed into use.

  • An applicant may instead contract with an Authorized On-Site Wastewater Evaluator or licensed engineer for required verifications or inspections under G.S. 130A-337(a1).
  • A Private Compliance Inspector may conduct specified inspections only when the criteria in G.S. 130A-337(a2) are met.

  “until an inspection by the local health department”

• Well permitRequired

  Construction or repair of a private drinking-water well inside Hassell town limits.

  • The requirement excludes wells requiring Environmental Management Commission permitting under G.S. 87-88.
  • A repair permit is not required for maintenance not involving breaking or opening the well seal, or repair involving only a pump or tank.

  “Construct or assist in the construction of a private drinking water well unless a construction permit has been obtained from the local health department.”

• Permit processPartial

  State statutory permit prerequisites applicable to construction inside Hassell town limits.

  • This is only the statewide statutory prerequisite, not a complete Hassell or Martin County application process.
  • For an unsewered residence, place of business, or place of public assembly, other listed construction permits cannot issue until the stated wastewater authorization or completeness decision occurs.

  “shall be issued until a construction authorization”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder work inside Hassell town limits.
• Local zoning — Land inside Hassell town limits.
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Hassell town limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Hassell town limits.
• Minimum lot size — Lots inside Hassell town limits.

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.