When you’re designing and building a luxury custom home, there’s nothing more exciting than watching your vision come to life. But behind every flawless finish and timeless architectural detail is a critical foundation you won’t see: the permitting process.
At Rufty Homes, we believe transparency builds trust. That’s why we want to demystify the building permit process, where we’ve worked for over three decades. From zoning approvals to final inspections, every step plays a vital role in protecting your investment and ensuring your home is built to last.
If a builder tries to avoid permits or tells you not to worry about inspectors, that’s a red flag. Permits aren’t a nuisance—they’re a necessity.
A building permit is more than a piece of paper—it’s a signal that your home is being built to meet local safety codes, zoning regulations, and structural standards.
Permits ensure:
In short? Permits protect you—and they reflect a builder’s commitment to quality.
If you're building a new custom home, you’ll need a Residential New Construction Permit, plus trade-specific permits for:
Other projects like major renovations, accessory structures, pools, or retaining walls may also require permits depending on scope and location. Any quality home builder should be an expert on which permits are needed and when to submit applications to acquire them.
Rufty Homes handles the entire process on your behalf, but here’s what happens behind the scenes:
Before anything is submitted, we evaluate the lot’s zoning designation and setbacks to ensure the home complies with local land use regulations.
Each municipality within Wake County—like Raleigh, Cary, Apex, or Wake Forest—may have its own zoning rules in addition to Wake County's requirements.
We collaborate with architects and engineers to create detailed plans. These plans must be submitted with your application and reviewed by the county (or city, depending on location).
Rufty Homes submits all applications through Wake County’s Permit Portal or through local jurisdictions (e.g., City of Raleigh Development Services). Applications may include:
Wake County (or your city) reviews the submitted plans. This can take anywhere from 5–15 business days, depending on the project complexity and permit office volume. But it's not uncommon for it to take 2-3 review cycles.
If corrections are needed, we handle all communications with the reviewers and resubmit as required.
Once approved, we pay the permit fees and receive official documentation. Construction can begin.
Pro Tip: Permitting is not a one-size-fits-all process. Where you build determines which agency you’ll work with. That’s why having an experienced builder like Rufty Homes is essential—we know how to navigate the local landscape.
Once construction begins, county or city inspectors will visit the site at key milestones:
Inspections may sound intimidating, but they’re an important part of the quality assurance process. We welcome inspectors on-site—they’re here to confirm that everything is being built safely and correctly. When you work with Rufty Homes, you can rest assured that every detail has been managed with precision.
Permits and inspections are not just paperwork—they’re part of what sets a custom luxury home apart. They ensure your home isn’t just beautiful, but built to last for generations.
We handle every step of the process so you don’t have to worry about the red tape. All you have to focus on is how your dream home is taking shape.
Thinking about building in Wake County? Whether you’ve already found your perfect lot or are just getting started, we’d be happy to walk you through the process.
Experience a thoughtfully refined approach to custom home building with a friendly team devoted to achieving your dreams. With Rufty Homes, you’re assured of a gracious, tailored home building experience defined by distinctive beauty, timeless value and pure joy.
Phone: (919) 460-8550 | 5121 Kingdom Way Ste 208, Raleigh, NC 27607 | M-F 8 AM - 4:30PM | BuilderTrend Login
