• Converting Residential to Commercial Guide
• New Home Construction Checklist
• New Home Construction Packet
• Commercial Construction Packet
• Accessory/Addition Checklist
• Accessory Structure Packet (Decks, Pergolas, Pools, Porches, Sheds)
• Building Permit-Residential
• 2018 Building Code Summary (Non Residential)
• Building Permit -Non Residential w/2018 Building Code Summary Attachment)
• Building Permit-Non Residential (No 2018 Building Code Summary Attachment)
• Change-Out Permits
• Electrical Permit
• Electrical Permit_Low Voltage
• Mechanical Permit
• Mechanical Permit_Fireplace
• Plumbing Permit
• Demolition Permit
• Demolition - Relocation of Manufactured Home Permit
• Floodplain Development Permit
• Residential Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Inspection Procedures
• Request for Exemption from General Contracting Licensing Act
• Soil and Erosion Control Install Agreement - Single Family Residential Lot
• Zoning Construction Permit (only needed if a building permit is not required)
• Zoning Compliance Permit

• Sidewalk Dining Permit   Apply through Waxhaw Permit Portal

• Blasting Permit
• Blasting Procedures
• Burning Permit
• Certificate of Occupancy Checklist
• Fire Hydrant Test Application
• Fire Permit Application
• Fire Watch Log
• Fireworks Display Permit
• Sprinkler System Plans and Calculations Checklist

Retaining Walls - Construction Requirements

 Residential 

All walls require a permit.  Walls are measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the fill. Walls less than 48” with unbalanced fill is measured up to 4’ behind the wall. 

Retaining walls supporting more than 48” of unbalanced fill require: engineered plans, a building permit, and a sealed 3rd party verification letter at inspection. 

Walls taller than 30” from grade require a 36” guard or rail at the top for safety.

 Commercial

 Any commercial wall or system - providing a cumulative vertical relief greater than five feet in height within a horizontal distance of 50 feet including retaining walls or mechanically stabilized earth walls, shall be designed under the responsible charge of the registered design professional. 

 Design of all retaining walls is to be per NC Building Code section 1806.2.

• Detailed retaining wall design drawings, sealed by a NC Licensed Engineer, will be submitted to the Town of Waxhaw prior to construction.
• A NC Licensed Engineer must perform construction observation, verifying in a sealed letter to the local authority that retaining walls are constructed per the engineered drawings, in compliance with section 1806.2 of the NC Building Code.            

Certificates of Occupancy or Certificates of Compliance will only be issued after receipt of the Engineer’s sealed letter by the Town of Waxhaw Planning and Inspections Staff. 

Walls built without proper permitting approvals are subject to work stoppage, fines, or potential civil action for removal.