• Request a Zoning Verification Letter to ensure a lot or building meets Town requirements and is zoned for how you intend to use it.

• This formal letter is a written document from the Planning and Development Services Department confirming the zoning district(s) for any given parcel of land as well any applicable zoning conditions on the parcel.   

• There is a fee for a zoning verification letter.   

• Processing may take up to two weeks.

Development Plan approval is required prior to construction of a new building or making alterations to the exterior or facade of an existing building. Changes may include landscaping, parking, awnings, lighting, building colors, etc. 

Apply for a Commercial Building Permit after your Development Plans are approved, and before you begin construction or renovations, inside or outside.

Include the following documents with your permit application (print, complete and upload):

• Commercial Building Permit application (electronic submittal)
• A Building Code Summary (or Abbreviated Building Code Summary, if applicable).
• A floor plan of the space to be occupied, drawn to scale, showing and identifying each room, bathrooms, doorways, exits, reception areas, etc.
• An overall building plan, drawn to scale, clearly identify the name, address, and type of business for each tenant space.
• Food services and certain day care facilities will need to include a menu if the project needs to be reviewed by Wake County Environmental Services (Health Department).  
• Submit your permit application directly to  Wake County Environmental Services . Application and fees for Wake County Environmental Services permits must be made directly with Wake County.

• A sign permit is required before you install a permanent or temporary sign. Many non-residential developments have approved Master/Uniform Sign Plans which set parameters for the size, location and design of signs on property constructed or managed as a single development.

A Commercial Building Permit is required anytime a new tenant moves into a space. These permits are classified as:

• Change of Tenant (moving into a space previously permitted for the same building occupancy type, such as business use to business use) 
• Change of Occupancy (moving into a space previously approved for a different building code occupancy type, such as from a business use to an educational use).  

Once a permit has been issued, the required building and fires inspections will need to be scheduled and approved before the Certificate of Occupancy can be issued.

Fees may vary, please see the Inspections & Permits Department Fee Estimation Guide.  

Include the following documents with your permit application.  (Print, complete and upload.)    

• Commercial Building Permit application
• A Building Code Summary (or Abbreviated Building Code Summary, if applicable).
• A floor plan of the space to be occupied, drawn to scale, showing and identifying each room, bathrooms, doorways, exits, reception areas, etc.
• An overall building plan, drawn to scale, clearly identify the name, address, and type of business for each tenant space.
• Food services and certain day care facilities will need to include a menu if the project needs to be reviewed by Wake County Environmental Services (Health Department).  
• Submit your permit application directly to  Wake County Environmental Services . Application and fees for Wake County Environmental Services permits must be made directly with Wake County.

• A sign permit is required before you install a permanent or temporary sign. Many non-residential developments have approved Master/Uniform Sign Plans which set parameters for the size, location and design of signs on property constructed or managed as a single development.

Home-Based Businesses are permitted in most residential zoning districts and sometimes require approval of an Accessory Use Permit.

Some state building code requirements are more stringent for commercial property than those for homes. Examples include:

• Handicapped access for the site and the bathrooms
• Weight-bearing limits of floors
• Width of hallways and corridors
• Firewalls

A privilege license is no longer required, effective July 1, 2015.  

Businesses that serve alcoholic beverages must receive approval from the North Carolina Alcohol Beverage Control Commission. To obtain your license, follow the process below:

1. Download and complete an NC Alcohol Beverage Control Permit form.
2. Apply for a Commercial Building Permit (type in ABC Inspection in the scope of work line).
3. Schedule a building and fire inspection. 
4. Complete an online North Carolina Background Report on the license holder. Type "NC Background Check" into any search engine. 
5. Bring your completed paperwork to the Cary Police Department, 120 Wilkinson Avenue. 

• Zoning Inspection Report
• North Carolina Background Report  
• Local Government Opinion

All the above referenced forms will need to be submitted to North Carolina ABC Commission for final approval.

After you receive your ABC approval, you would normally need to apply for a Town of Cary Beer and Wine Permit. In March 2021, Cary proposed legislation to the North Carolina General Assembly to eliminate Cary’s requirement for local beer and wine licenses and associated fees. The burden on local businesses like yours to apply and pay for these annual licenses outweighed Cary’s value in receiving this revenue, due to administration costs.

We are happy to announce that House Bill 890 was signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper on September 10, 2021, eliminating the requirement for Cary businesses to maintain a separate Cary Beer and Wine License. This means we will no longer require a Cary license for your beer and wine sales. This law is specific to Cary so, if you do business in other cities, local beer and wine licensing laws remain in effect.

The requirement to maintain an active North Carolina State ABC Commission permit to sell alcoholic beverages in Cary remains in effect.

Please feel free to contact us by calling 311 (inside Town limits) or (919) 469-4000 should you have questions or need additional information.”

Contact: North Carolina Alcohol Beverage Control Commission at (919) 779-0700

A Water and Sewer Service Application will be required with your building permit application for new service. 

Call 311 in Cary or 919-469-4000 outside of Cary to set up utility services.  

• Will fit into four 32-gallon cans
• Is similar to general household waste with no special disposal requirements

We also collect flattened corrugated cardboard from these businesses.

Call 311 in Cary or 919-469-4000 outside of Cary to set up utility services. 

Electricity, gas, telephone and cable TV

See an overview and contacts for licenses and permits, business name registration, tax listing, etc.

Cary Chamber of Commerce
Wake County information for businesses
Small Business Center Network (N.C. Community College System)
N.C. Small Business and Technology Development Center
Business Link North Carolina (NC Commerce)
U.S. Small Business Administration
SCORE
Foreign Trade Zones in North Carolina