Water and Sewer Service Connections: Additional Information and Links

Before You Apply

Availability can be determined by sending an email. 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.  Wake County Approval is required to connect to Raleigh’s Utility.  If water and sewer are both available, the requestor must connect to both utilities.

The Property must be within the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) of Raleigh or the Merger Community (Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wendell, Wake Forest and Zebulon). If the property is outside the Jurisdiction, connection to utilities cannot be made without annexation of the property into the appropriate Jurisdiction.

City of Raleigh Connection Process

Apply for a Permit in Raleigh

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

• Applications must be submitted to Downtownds@raleighnc.gov. 
• Use the Residential Permit Application form and fill out the general information, Utility Connection Permit and Stub permit (if using Licensed Utility Contractor), and Plumbing sections.
• You must provide information about a Licensed 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.

Merger Town Connection Process

Apply for a Permit in a Merger Community

An application for water and sewer connections in a Merger Community, must be made through the individual Towns application process.

• Garner
• Knightdale
• Rolesville
• Wake Forest
• Wendell
• Zebulon
• Merger Communities may require additional permits from Wake County.  Wake County Permit Portal Guide.

Utility Connection and Stub Permit requests are processed individually with each town.  When the permit is approved, Clients are able to pay via the Permit and Development Portal for the water and sewer connection permit issuance.

Irrigation Connection Process

Apply for an Irrigation Permit

An application for an irrigation service in Raleigh must be submitted through the Planning and Development Department Customer Service Center.

• Applications must be submitted to Downtownds@raleighnc.gov. 
• Use the Residential Permit Application form and fill out the general information, Utility Connection Permit and Stub permit (if using Licensed Utility Contractor), and Plumbing sections.
• You must provide information about a Licensed 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.

An application for an irrigation service in a Merger Community, must be made through the individual Towns application process.

Paying for Permits

The Permit and Development Portal is a tool used to manage development review and permitting processes. Customers that apply for permits frequently are encouraged to set up a portal account.

The portal features a number of benefits for users, including:

• A centralized dashboard to monitor your development projects.
• More, real-time notifications throughout the review process.
• View development activity near you.
• Enhanced, online scheduling for inspections.
• The option to pay fees online.

Please review the Permit and Development Portal Help Center page for information on payments. 

If you are a one-time payor for a permit, you do not have to set up an account, but you will need your invoice number to make a payment on-line.  If you choose to pay in person, please visit the Planning and Development Customer Service Center in the City of Raleigh.  Please click on the link for time and contact 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 – Applied if making a direct tap on the main for irrigation or if splitting of a fire line. Irrigation splits off of a domestic water stub are not subject to the fee.
  • Meter fees.
  • Tap fees for City-installed taps. 
  • Stub fee (Only applies 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. 
• All inspections must be completed on all permits to set up the new account in our Customer Care and Billing Center.