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Business licenses and permits in Johnston County, North Carolina

Johnston County, North Carolina, seat Smithfield, runs its business-facing permits from four county offices that share one address, 309 E. Market Street, Smithfield. The Environmental Health Department handles food establishment and mobile food plan review, temporary food permits, public pool and spa plan review and operation permits, tattoo permits, child care center sanitation inspections, and septic and well permits. Planning and Zoning administers the county-wide zoning ordinance that its zoning page says Johnston County adopted in 1992, with land use permits, home occupations, sign zoning and site plan review. Building Inspections issues building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits, and the Fire Marshal's Office inspects commercial occupancies under the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code. The county's own Site Plan Application sets the order: 'The Land Use Permit is required before Environmental Health or Building Permits can be issued.' Under G.S. 160D-201(b), a county may exercise its development regulation powers throughout the county except in areas subject to municipal planning and development regulation jurisdiction, and G.S. 160D-202(f) lets a county exercise those powers inside a city on request of the city council. The 2020 Census place file lists twelve incorporated places with territory in Johnston County: Archer Lodge, Benson, Clayton, Four Oaks, Kenly, Micro, Pine Level, Princeton, Selma, Smithfield, Wilson's Mills and Zebulon. The same file lists Benson with Harnett County, Clayton and Zebulon with Wake County, and Kenly with Wilson County as well. Each town's own ordinances, permits and fees apply inside its limits on top of the county records listed here, so a business inside a town should ask the town which office issues its zoning and building permits. G.S. 153A-152, the statute under which North Carolina counties levied privilege license taxes, was repealed effective July 1, 2015. 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.

What are you opening in Johnston County?

Permits that apply to every type of business in Johnston County

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
Fire Code Inspection of Commercial OccupanciesJohnston County Fire Marshal's OfficeNo inspection fee is published on the Johnston County Fire Marshal's Office 'About' page; contact the Fire Marshal's Office for any charge.recurring, on an arranged schedule depending on the occupancy type2026-10-21
On-Site Wastewater (Septic) System Permitonly if it applies to youJohnston County Environmental Health DepartmentCounty fees as published on the Johnston County Environmental Health fee page (effective date shown: July 1, 2026): Septic System Permit (Systems 480 Gallons or less) $600.00; Large System Design (Systems >480 Gallons) $700.00; Existing System Upgrade/Replacement $250.00; (ESA) Existing System Approval $150.00; Installation/Re-inspection Fee $100.00; Open Permit Revision $200.00 where a site visit is required or $50.00 where none is required; Pump Fee $50.00; Supply Line(s) Permit $100.00; Septic Repair No Charge. The page also lists permits under GS 130A-335(A2) (SL 2022-11): $600.00 for 480 gallons or less, $700.00 over 480 gallons, $250.00 upgrade and $250.00 replacement; and under GS 130A-335(A2)(A5): $240.00, $280.00, $100.00 upgrade and $100.00 replacement, with repairs at no charge in both.one-time, per permit2026-10-21
Private Well Permitonly if it applies to youJohnston County Environmental Health DepartmentCounty fees as published on the Johnston County Environmental Health fee page (effective date shown: July 1, 2026): Private Well $400.00; Agricultural/Irrigation Well $325.00; Well Repair/Abandonment No Charge; Well Reinspection $50.00.one-time, per well2026-10-21
Commercial Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Permitsonly if it applies to youJohnston County Building Inspections Departmentper the Johnston County Building Inspections fee page, headed 'Fee Schedule Effective July 1, 2024'. For all commercial projects there is a fee for each trade (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical) based on the total job cost of that trade: $0–1,500 $75.00; $1,501–5,000 $150.00; $5,001–25,000 $220.00; $25,001–50,000 $440.00; $50,001–100,000 $885.50; $100,001–200,000 $1,771.00; $200,001–350,000 $3,096.50; $350,001–500,000 $4,092.00; $500,001–750,000 $5,472.50; $750,001–1,000,000 $6,853.00; over $1,000,000, the remaining job cost multiplied by .002 (.2%) plus $6,853. An initial $1,000 fee is due at submittal for commercial plan review for projects over $500,000 and is credited to the total permit fee at issuance. Reinspection $75.00. Non-emergency after-hours inspections $125 per hour with a 2-hour minimum, approved in advance by the Director.per project2026-10-21
Change of Use / Tenant Change Permitonly if it applies to youJohnston County Building Inspections Department$75 per change, building fee, per the Johnston County Building Inspections fee page, headed 'Fee Schedule Effective July 1, 2024': 'Change of Use: $75.00 Building' and 'Tenant Change: $75.00 Building'per change of use or change of tenant2026-10-21
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

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

What do these permits involve in Johnston County?

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.

Fire Code Inspection of Commercial Occupancies

A business occupying commercial premises in Johnston County should expect periodic fire code inspections. The county's About the Fire Marshal's Office page states: 'The Johnston County Fire Marshal's Office has a primary responsibility of enforcing the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code that requires commercial occupancies be inspected on an arranged schedule depending on the occupancy type.' The same page states that the office 'handles safety concerns reported by the public and reviews building plans and fire protection equipment', and that during the building process it works closely with the Building Code Enforcement Division and the Planning Department. The county's Site Plan Application also lists the Fire Marshal among the review agencies for NC Fire Code requirements on new non-residential site plans. How often a given business is inspected depends on its occupancy type, so a restaurant, a child care center and a retail store may be on different schedules. Contact the Johnston County Fire Marshal's Office through its page on the county website.

On-Site Wastewater (Septic) System Permit

Any business in Johnston County on a site without public sewer needs an on-site wastewater permit from the Environmental Health Department; a site on a public sewer has no septic permit. The county's septic page sets out the process: 'An Application for Service is accepted with presentation of a document from the appropriate planning and zoning authority', with a site plan showing the property, the state road number, the driveway and the buildings, and setbacks from the highway right-of-way and at least one other property line. Fees are assessed on the requested services, the property is evaluated, and 'The permit can be released upon receipt of the proper zoning permit and any other fees.' Only with both the zoning permit and the Environmental Health permit can the applicant apply to Building Inspections. The amounts are as published on the Johnston County Environmental Health fee page (effective date shown: July 1, 2026): $600.00 for a system of 480 gallons or less, $700.00 for a large system design over 480 gallons, $250.00 to upgrade or replace an existing system, and $150.00 for an existing system approval, with the other lines in the fee formula. The county page states that repair permits may be applied for by the property owner or authorized agent 'at no cost', and the fee page lists 'Septic Repair No Charge'. Contact: Johnston County Environmental Health, (919) 989-5180.

Private Well Permit

A business in Johnston County whose site draws water from a private well rather than a public system needs a well permit from the Environmental Health Department; a site without a private well has no well permit. The amounts are as published on the Johnston County Environmental Health fee page (effective date shown: July 1, 2026): Private Well $400.00, Agricultural/Irrigation Well $325.00, Well Reinspection $50.00, and well repair or abandonment at no charge. The county's septic page shows how the well fits the building sequence: before a water and sewer authorization is issued, the well must be installed and inspected, the well contractor's completed well log must be on file, and 'A negative bacteriological water test is required to approve the well.' The applicant provides an electrical source and arranges the water test, taken either by the assigned Environmental Health Specialist or by a certified technician from a private lab. Once complete, the authorization is forwarded to Building Inspections so that a final inspection and permanent power can be obtained. The county's application form covers both the septic system and the well. Contact: Johnston County Environmental Health, (919) 989-5180.

Commercial Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Permits

Any business building out, expanding or altering a commercial space under Johnston County Building Inspections pays a separate permit fee for each trade, building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical, priced by that trade's own job cost per the Johnston County Building Inspections fee page, headed 'Fee Schedule Effective July 1, 2024'. The table runs from $75.00 for a trade costing up to $1,500 to $6,853.00 at $750,001–1,000,000, and above $1,000,000 the remaining job cost is multiplied by .002 and added to $6,853. The page's own worked example shows a job with building at $52,400, electrical at $32,500, mechanical at $16,200 and plumbing at $1,650 paying $885.50, $440, $220 and $150 for those four trades. Projects over $500,000 pay an initial $1,000 at submittal for commercial plan review, credited at issuance, and each reinspection is $75.00. 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 county's Inspections home page states that effective April 1, 2026 all construction drawings for residential and commercial projects must be submitted digitally. A county land use permit comes first, under the separate land use permit record. The Inspections Contractor Information and Searches page links the North Carolina licensing boards for general, refrigeration, plumbing, heating and fire sprinkler, and electrical contractors. Contact: Johnston County Building Inspections, 309 E. Market Street, Smithfield, NC 27577, 919-989-5060.

Change of Use / Tenant Change Permit

A business moving into an existing commercial space in Johnston County Building Inspections territory, whether taking over from a previous tenant or changing what the space is used for, pays a $75.00 building fee. The Inspections fee page lists 'Y. Change of Use: $75.00 Building' and 'Z. Tenant Change: $75.00 Building', 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. This fee covers the building side of the change; any electrical, plumbing or mechanical work done to fit out the space is priced separately under the commercial per-trade job-cost table, and the land use permit from Planning and Zoning is a separate step. A retail store, salon, studio or office moving into a vacant unit with no construction should still expect this fee. Contact: Johnston County Building Inspections, 309 E. Market Street, Smithfield, NC 27577, 919-989-5060.

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.

Sources

Every figure in the table above was read from one of these government pages on the date shown.

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  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. About the Fire Marshal's Office | Fire Marshal Division — enforcement of the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code for commercial occupanciesJohnston County Emergency Services, Fire Marshal Division · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
  7. Fee Schedule | Environmental Health — Johnston County Environmental Health fee page, 'Effective Date: July 1, 2026', listing plan review, food, pool, tattoo, septic and well feesJohnston County Environmental Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
  8. On-Site Wastewater (Septic Systems) | Environmental Health Department — the septic permitting process and repair permits (page last updated May 11, 2026)Johnston County Environmental Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
  9. Johnston County Building Inspections — department home page, stating that effective April 1, 2026 all construction drawings must be submitted digitallyJohnston County Building Inspections Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
  10. Contractor Information and Searches | Building Inspections — links to the North Carolina licensing boards for general contractors, refrigeration, plumbing/HVAC/fire sprinkler and electrical contractorsJohnston County Building Inspections Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-21
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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

Who issues business permits in Johnston County?

Permitting in Johnston County is split across 4 agencies we hold records for, with tax registration handled at state level. No single office issues everything, which is why an opening usually means filing in several places rather than one.

Johnston County issuing agencies

Other North Carolina jurisdictions we cover

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