Raleigh’s change-of-use route covers converting finished or unfinished space or an existing detached garage into an accessory dwelling unit. New detached construction may follow a different process. The City’s page was updated July 14, 2026; confirm that the current permit route still matches the proposed work before starting an application.
Submit the change-of-use application
Register in Raleigh’s permit portal and provide the required contractor information, including general- and subcontractor details, with the application. Use the City’s current document checklist for the plans and project information. Staff first check the application for completeness; detailed code review does not begin until Customer Service deems the application complete.
Raleigh invoices a plan-review fee before project review. After the application is reviewed and approved, additional permit fees are due when the permits are ready for issuance. The City’s change-of-use page links to current fee materials but does not state one ADU fee amount. Check the permit portal for invoices, review notifications, and comments, and respond through the channel specified by the City.
Avoid a contractor-information hold
If plans are ready for permit issuance but contractor information is still missing, Raleigh holds the plans for up to six months. If the information is not provided within that period, the plans are considered invalid and the application is voided; an administrative fee may be charged. Add contractor details early and monitor portal notices so the issuance stage does not stall after plan review.
Schedule required inspections through the permit portal during the work. The City does not publish a fixed ADU review duration on this route page, so do not treat general processing information as a project-specific promise. Confirm the current checklist, fee stages, required inspections, and applicable route with Raleigh. See the general plans, inspections, and completion documents checklist.