Building Inspections

 Shane -Joey - Caleb - Jeremy - Ruth - Lee - Jimmy

Due to the need for limited exposure to the COVID-19, our office has closed to the public.  We are, however, in the office and doing inspections.  You can obtain a permit via email and with credit card, with a 3% credit card fee added, or via mail with a check.  We are sorry for any inconvenience.  

Rutherford County Building/Fire Inspections
We are now located at:
270 N Toms St
Rutherfordton, NC  28139
(828) 287-6035 
(828) 287-6338 (fax)
permits@rutherfordcountync.gov
Our office is located just off E 7th St--approximately 2 blocks N of the courthouse (229 N Main St).


We are open 7:30 AM- 4:00 PM.   
Our inspectors leave out at 8:00 AM.  


We enforce the  2018 NC Code for Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Fuel Gas  and the 2017 NEC.

Shane Dotson, Director

Caleb Wilson, Senior Inspector   

Joey Turrubiarte, Fire Inspector 

Lee Pace, Building Inspector
Lee's normal inspection route includes the areas of Bostic-Ellenboro-Gilkey-Golden Valley-Sunshine-Union Mills.


Jeremy Hill, Building Inspector
Jeremy's inspection route includes the areas of Rutherfordton-Spindale-Forest City-Shiloh/Danieltown-Caroleen/Henrietta.



Jimmy Bradley, Building Inspector
Jimmy's inspection route includes the areas of Green Hill-Lake Lure-Chimney Rock

Ruth Sams, Administrative Assistant   

Once you have an assigned building inspector, it is best to talk with him as he will know you, your site, and your project, and can best answer your questions or concerns. Until that time and for general inquiries, inspection/permit requests, or for correspondences related to your permit such as duct testing, penetrometer testing, termite verifications, permit applications, engineering designs, etc., please e-mail us at permits@rutherfordcountync.gov.  Please be sure to reference your permit number if you have one assigned.

Whether you are about to begin building a new home, setting up a mobile home, changing your electrical/plumbing/heating system, or even putting in a pool or making changes or additions to your home, the Building Inspector will assist you in the process. 

All commercial building plans MUST be reviewed--before permitting--by a fire inspector, as well as a building inspector.