Raleigh - Plan Review and Permitting Process for Water and Sewer

The City of Raleigh provides water and sewer services in Raleigh, Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon. Plan review and permitting are a part of any project that requires a connection to the City of Raleigh’s Water and Sewer System. 

This will provide an overview of processes in Raleigh’s Jurisdiction. For permitting or plan approval in the Merger Communities, visit Merger Communities - Permitting for Water and Sewer or Merger Communities – Plan Review Process for Water and Sewer for permitting or plan approvals in Merger Communities.

Before You Apply

Availability can be determined by sending an an email to water.review@raleighnc.gov. Please include your address, what utilities you plan to connect to, and the size/type of service required.

Water-only connections may be allowed. 

Sewer only connections are prohibited, except in the case of public health concerns where failing septic cannot be repaired. For more information: Sewer-Only Service Connections.

The Property must be within the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) of Raleigh.

Stand Alone Services for Existing Buildings and Irrigation

This permitting process applies to the installation of standalone water and sewer services for existing homes and irrigation (residential and non-residential) in Raleigh when there is no building permit under review.

Residential Service

An application for connection in Raleigh must be submitted through the Planning and Development Customer Service Center: DowntownDS@raleighnc.gov

• Complete the Residential Permit Application form and fill out the General Information, Utility Connection Permit, Stub Permit (if using a Licensed Public Utility Contractor), and Plumbing sections.
• Applications must be submitted to DowntownDS@raleighnc.gov.
• You must provide information about a Licensed Public Utility Contractor for stub permits in the right-of-way or easements.
• City-installed tap requests for existing single-family homes do not require a stub permit.
• Comment, review, payments, and other enhanced functions are available on our Permit and Development Portal. An account must be set up for improved processing.
• The City will not make taps for:
  • New homes, demolition and new build
  • Development plans
  • Non-residential taps
  • Water taps greater than one inch
  • Sewer taps greater than four inches
  • Taps made in an easement
    Additional restrictions may apply.

For irrigation service requests:

• An approved model of backflow is required. Please review our Cross Connection Program for additional information.
• If a split tap is being requested, ensure it is selected in the Utility Meter section of the Residential Permit Application.
• Plot Plans are not required for residential split tap irrigation projects.

Commercial Service

An application for connection in Raleigh must be submitted through the Planning and Development Customer Service Center.

• Complete the Non-Residential Permit Application form and fill out the General Information, Utility Connection Permit, Stub Permit, and Plumbing sections.
• Applications must be submitted to CommercialBuilding@raleighnc.gov.
• You must provide information about a Licensed Public Utility Contractor when working in the right-of-way or easements.
• Applicants will be notified by email when a project is processed.
• Comment review, payments, and other enhanced functions are available on our Permit and Development Portal. An account must be set up for improved processing.
• An approved model of backflow is required. Please review our Cross Connection Program for additional information.

Pay Permit / Schedule Inspections Over The Portal

• All fees are based on the current Development Fee Schedule.
• After approval of the permit request, the applicant will be contacted with a final fee estimate.
• Fees can be viewed and paid for on our Permit and Development Portal.
• Raleigh Water Fees that can apply to your project:
  • Capital Facilities Fees – Apply for all new domestic services. Fee Credits may apply if there was a previously existing service. CFF Apply for Irrigation taps directly off of water mains or fire lines, irrigation splits off of a domestic water stub are not subject to CFF. 
  • Meter fees.
  • Tap fees for City-installed taps. 
  • Stub fee for taps installed by Licensed Utility Contractor
• Other Fees:
  • Plumbing Utility – Installation for Irrigation, and permitting Water and Sewer line from Right-of-Way to foundation
  • Any other Permit Fee that applies to your request.

Schedule Inspections over the Portal

• Inspections can be scheduled on the Permit and Development Portal. 

Water and Sewer for New Residential Building Permits

For residential building permits in Raleigh, please visit the following pages or contact the Customer Service Center.  Water and sewer connection permits are issued with the processes.

• Building a New Single-Family Dwelling or Duplex
• Building a New Townhouse
• Building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

Review and permitting for Commercial and Development Projects

If your project involves subdivision or site plan approval, extension of water and sewer mains, or commercial building permitting, visit the applicable pages or contact the Customer Service Center:

• Preliminary Subdivision Plans
• Administrative Site Review
• Site Permit Review
• Commercial Permits: New Buildings, Additions, and Change of Use 
  • Utility Connections for Non-residential projects are issued with the building plans.
  • Ensure that Meter size and tap size match.
  • Ensure that a valid address is assigned to the building or unit.