Johnston County, NC building permits

Where to search a permit, what it costs, how inspections work. Office facts checked 2026-11-03.

Johnston County Building Inspections Department

Office
309 E. Market St., Smithfield, NC 27577
Email
inspections@johnstonnc.gov
Website
johnstonnc.gov/insp/
Covers
Most of the county, including many addresses with town mailing addresses; use the county's Find Your Permit Office tool for an address.

Search Johnston County permit records

Johnston County permit searches

Permits are searchable by date, type, subdivision, township, address or permit number, and each result lists the contractor; the previous six years are online.

Not every address is the county's. Clayton, Smithfield, Selma issue their own permits; search the town's portal for an address inside the town.

Permit fees

The department publishes a permit fee schedule and refund policy on its site; since April 1, 2026 all construction drawings must be submitted digitally. Current fee schedule.

Scheduling an inspection

Request an inspection through the department's site; the Find Your Permit Office tool says whether the county or a town issues the permit for an address.

Permits by contractor

Johnston's online search lists the contractor on each permit but offers no export; a contractor roll-up will follow a records release.

Before you hire

Office details were read from the county's own pages on 2026-11-03: johnstonnc.gov/insp/, www.johnstonnc.gov/insp/content.cfm?pageid=91. Fees and procedures change; the county's schedule is the authority.