Commercial Compliance Hub
Check requirements

Johnston County

Johnston County Planning and Zoning

In short

Johnston County Planning and Zoning issues 4 permits we publish for Johnston County, last verified 2026-10-21. Each carries the fee as the agency publishes it, with a link to the schedule it was read from.

What this agency issues

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Sign Permit (zoning and building/electrical)only if it applies to youJohnston County Planning and ZoningBuilding and electrical portions: 'See Commercial Fee Table', per the Johnston County Building Inspections fee page, headed 'Fee Schedule Effective July 1, 2024', so each is priced by its job cost on the commercial per-trade table. Zoning portion: the Planning and Inspections fee schedules publish different amounts; contact Planning and Zoning on (919) 989-5150 for the current fee.per sign2026-10-21
Commercial Site Plan Reviewonly if it applies to youJohnston County Planning and ZoningNo site plan review fee is published in the Johnston County Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule or the Site Plan Application. The application states 'TIA fees and/or review fees must be paid by the applicant.' Contact Planning and Zoning on (919) 989-5150 for the current fee.site plan approval is valid for 12 months from the date of approval, per the county's application2026-10-21
Non-Residential Land Use (Zoning) Permitonly if it applies to youJohnston County Planning and ZoningPer the Johnston County Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule ('Adopted June 17, 2024, Effective September 1, 2024'), with the Inspections fee page printing the same three amounts: construction value less than $50,000, $125.00; $50,001–$100,000, $250.00; $100,001–$150,000, $500.00. For construction value over $150,000, the Planning schedule and the Inspections fee page publish different amounts; contact Planning and Zoning on (919) 989-5150 for the current fee.per project2026-10-21
Home Occupation Land Use Permit / Zoning Letteronly if it applies to youJohnston County Planning and ZoningThe Planning and Inspections fee schedules publish different amounts for the home occupation land use permit; contact Planning and Zoning on (919) 989-5150 for the current fee.per home occupation, while the use continues on the stated terms2026-10-21

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

About each permit

Sign Permit (zoning and building/electrical)

A business putting up a sign in Johnston County's jurisdiction needs both a zoning approval and a building permit, and an electrical permit if the sign is lit. The county's Sign Permit Application states that 'A zoning permit is required for all sign permits' and asks for a copy of the zoning or land use permit with the application. It also requires 'two (2) complete sets of plans including a site plan showing the location of the sign with all setbacks'. Plans must bear the designer's name, signature and address. Freestanding signs with any part over 6 feet high need sealed engineered footings designed for a 120 mph wind zone, and wall signs must show the method of attachment. The building and electrical portions are priced 'See Commercial Fee Table', per the Johnston County Building Inspections fee page, headed 'Fee Schedule Effective July 1, 2024'. The county's June 15, 2026 release announcing the adopted FY 2026-27 budget lists no inspection fee changes; the fee items it lists are the landfill tipping fee, water and sewer rates and the recreation fee in lieu. The application adds that for an electrical sign a Certificate of Compliance will not be issued until the electrical permit has been purchased and inspected. Review generally takes a few days. Contact: Johnston County Building Inspections, 919-989-5060; Planning and Zoning, (919) 989-5150.

Commercial Site Plan Review

New non-residential development in Johnston County's planning jurisdiction goes through site plan review before any site work: the county's 2026 Site Plan Application states that 'No site development shall take place prior to Site Plan Approval, to include clearing, grubbing, and grading.' A digital copy of the site plan is emailed to planning@johnstonnc.gov with the site layout, utility plan, stormwater management plan with calculations, erosion and sedimentation control, and landscape plan. A certified Traffic Impact Analysis is required for developments with 100 or more peak hour trips or 1,000 or more daily trips, performed or reviewed by the County's consultant, and 'TIA fees and/or review fees must be paid by the applicant.' Planning staff distribute the plan to Public Utilities, Stormwater Administration, Building Inspections, Environmental Health, the Fire Marshal, NC DOT and Planning and Zoning. Once every reviewer is satisfied, a Site Plan Approval Letter is sent, valid for 12 months. The letter is the basis for the land use permit, which comes before Environmental Health or building permits. Contact: Johnston County Planning and Zoning, 309 E. Market Street, Smithfield, NC 27577, (919) 989-5150.

Non-Residential Land Use (Zoning) Permit

A business building or expanding non-residential space in Johnston County's planning jurisdiction needs a land use permit from Planning and Zoning before anything else is issued: the county's Site Plan Application states that 'A Land Use Permit may be obtained with a Site Plan Approval Letter. The Land Use Permit is required before Environmental Health or Building Permits can be issued.' The fee depends on construction value, per the Johnston County Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule, 'Adopted June 17, 2024, Effective September 1, 2024': $125.00 under $50,000, $250.00 from $50,001 to $100,000, and $500.00 from $100,001 to $150,000. The Building Inspections fee page prints the same three tiers. Above $150,000 the two documents publish different amounts, so no figure for that tier is given here; contact Planning and Zoning on (919) 989-5150 for the current fee. Under G.S. 160D-201(b) county development regulation applies throughout the county except in areas subject to municipal planning and development regulation jurisdiction. A county news release states that a proposed Unified Development Ordinance is under public hearing, with a Board of Commissioners hearing on November 2, 2026 and a possible adoption vote on November 16, 2026.

Home Occupation Land Use Permit / Zoning Letter

A business run from a home in Johnston County's zoning jurisdiction needs a Home Occupation Zoning Letter from Planning and Zoning, obtained by contacting a Planner at (919) 989-5150. The county's zoning page states that home occupations 'are subject to limitations and regulations as set forth in the Johnston County Land Development Code' and that 'not all home occupations are permitted in residential districts.' Its listed examples of permitted home occupations include home offices, tutoring, catering and barber/beauty shops. The provisions limit the use to 500 square feet or 25 percent of the dwelling floor area, whichever is greater; allow one person besides the occupants and one vehicle; allow one non-illuminated wall sign of up to four square feet; and limit instruction in music, dancing or tutoring to four students at a time. The page lists 'Animal hospital or clinic', 'Automotive repair, mechanic', 'Automotive repair, paint or body work' and 'Child daycare facilities' among the uses prohibited as home occupations. An applicant who does not meet the criteria may apply for a conditional permit from the board of adjustment. A county news release states that a proposed Unified Development Ordinance is under public hearing, with a possible adoption vote on November 16, 2026.

Contact

Jurisdiction
Johnston County
Phone
(919) 989-5150

Contact details are taken from the agency’s own site or its published fee schedule. Where we have not verified a phone number we leave it blank rather than guess.

Sources

Every fee and term above was read from one of these government pages on the date shown.

  1. G.S. 160D-201 — planning and development regulation jurisdiction of cities (a) and counties (b)North Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
  2. Help Shape the Future of Johnston County at Upcoming UDO Public Hearings — county news release on the Planning Board and Board of Commissioners hearingsJohnston County Government · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
  3. Johnston County Adopts Balanced Budget While Reducing Tax Rate and Fully Funding Public Schools — county news release dated June 15, 2026Johnston County Government · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
  4. Johnston County Building Inspections Department Sign Permit Application — submission requirements, including the zoning or land use permitJohnston County Building Inspections Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
  5. Johnston County Planning & Zoning Site Plan Application (2026) — submittal items, review agencies, 12-month approval and the land use permit sequenceJohnston County Planning and Zoning · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
  6. Johnston County Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule — 'Adopted June 17, 2024, Effective September 1, 2024', with land use permit, sign and Board of Adjustment feesJohnston County Planning and Zoning · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
  7. Johnston County Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule (PDF, Fee Schedule Revised 08.04.2026)Johnston County Planning and Zoning · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
  8. Permit Fee Schedule | Building Inspections — headed 'Fee Schedule Effective July 1, 2024', with the commercial per-trade job-cost table, reinspection, change of use, tenant change, tent and sign linesJohnston County Building Inspections Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
  9. Zoning and Rezoning Information | Planning and Zoning — county-wide zoning adopted 1992, and the home occupation definition, provisions and prohibited usesJohnston County Planning and Zoning · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21

Other offices serving Johnston County

The full permit list for this jurisdiction

Industry permit lists that include this agency

North Carolina jurisdictions

Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.