Access Control Permit Requirements in Charlotte, North Carolina

Quick Answer: Charlotte and Mecklenburg County require electrical permits for access control installations involving low-voltage wiring. While some systems may be exempt from contractor licensing requirements, permits and inspections are still required per NC General Statute. Electromagnetic locks on egress doors must comply with NC Building Code Chapter 10 means of egress requirements. Installers should hold an NC SP-FA/LV electrical license.

When Are Permits Required?

Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement requires permits for most access control installations:

Permits Required

• Low-voltage system installation: Access control systems, card readers, keypads
• Electromagnetic locks: Mag locks on egress doors require permit and code compliance
• Commercial installations: All business access control systems
• Fire alarm integration: Access control tied to fire systems needs additional permits
• Structural modifications: Door frame alterations or new door installations

Permit Exemption Conditions

Some low-voltage systems may be exempt from licensed contractor requirements (but still require permits) if ALL conditions are met:

• System is not required by NC State Building Code
• Control circuit is Class II or Class III per NEC
• Operates at 50 volts or less
• Not installed in hazardous areas per NEC
• Protected by circuit breaker, fuse, or current limiting device

North Carolina Contractor Licensing Requirements

Access control installation in Charlotte requires proper licensing:

Electrical Contractor License

License Type	Issuing Board	Access Control Coverage
SP-FA/LV (Fire Alarm/Low Voltage)	NC Board of Electrical Contractors	Access control, security systems, low voltage
SP-LV (Low Voltage)	NC Board of Electrical Contractors	Low voltage systems including access control
Intermediate/Limited/Unlimited	NC Board of Electrical Contractors	Full electrical including low voltage

Locksmith Licensing

North Carolina requires locksmith licensing under § 74F Locksmith Licensing Act for certain access control work involving physical lock hardware.

For complete state licensing requirements, see our North Carolina Low Voltage Contractor License Guide.

NC Building Code Requirements for Access Control

The 2018 North Carolina Building Code Chapter 10 governs access-controlled doors:

General Egress Requirements

Egress doors must be readily openable from the egress side without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.

Electromagnetic Lock Requirements

Electromagnetic locks are permitted in Groups A, B, E, I-1, I-2, I-4, M, R-1, and R-2 occupancies when equipped with:

• Built-in switch hardware: Listed hardware with obvious method of operation
• Immediate release: Operating the hardware releases the lock immediately
• Fail-safe operation: Loss of power automatically unlocks the door
• Works in all lighting: Must be readily operated under all lighting conditions

Sensor-Released Access Control

Access control systems with sensors must provide:

• Sensor on egress side to detect approaching occupants
• Doors unlock by signal from or loss of power to sensor
• Loss of power to access control system automatically unlocks doors

Manual Unlocking Device Requirements

• Located 40-48 inches above floor
• Within 5 feet of secured doors
• Clearly identified with sign reading "PUSH TO EXIT"
• Direct interruption of power to lock (independent of access control electronics)
• Doors remain unlocked minimum 30 seconds after activation

ADA Accessibility Requirements

• Door hardware must not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting
• Operating devices installed 34-48 inches above finished floor
• Security-only locks permitted at any height

Mecklenburg County Permit Application Process

Step 1: Set Up Account

Create an account on the Mecklenburg County Citizen Access Portal.

Step 2: Submit Electrical Permit Application

Select the correct permit type and upload all necessary documentation including:

• Project plans showing door locations and hardware specifications
• Egress compliance documentation for electromagnetic locks
• Contractor license information

Step 3: Plan Review

Multiple teams may evaluate plans in parallel: Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Fire, and others. Average turnaround:

• Under 10,000 sf: Approximately 10 business days
• Larger projects: Approximately 15 business days

Step 4: Inspections

Schedule inspections through the Accela portal. Access control inspections verify:

• Egress door compliance per NC Building Code
• Fire alarm integration functionality
• ADA accessibility requirements
• Electrical connections meet code

Contact Information

Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement (LUESA)
2145 Suttle Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28208
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Website: code.mecknc.gov

Code Info & Resource Center (CIRC)
Website: code.mecknc.gov/customer-tools/circ

Fees and Timeline

Service	Estimated Cost	Timeline
Electrical Permit (Low Voltage)	$50-$150	1-3 business days
Commercial Plan Review	Based on project value	10-15 business days
Inspection	Included in permit	Schedule as needed
Re-inspection	Varies	Next available day

Residential vs. Commercial Requirements

Residential Access Control

Home access control systems in Charlotte may qualify for permit exemptions if meeting all exemption conditions:

• Smart locks replacing existing deadbolts
• Video doorbell and intercom systems
• Keypad entry on existing doors
• Garage door access systems

Note: Permits are still required even if contractor licensing is exempt.

Commercial Access Control

Commercial installations have stricter requirements:

• Licensed contractor required: SP-FA/LV or equivalent license
• Permits mandatory: No exemptions for commercial properties
• Egress compliance: All access-controlled doors must meet NC Building Code Chapter 10
• Fire marshal review: May be required for mag locks and integrated systems

Special Occupancy Requirements

Healthcare Facilities (Group I-2)

Specialized locking for patient safety requires:

• Staff must carry keys at all times for evacuation
• Remote locking/unlocking required when more than 10 locks needed for evacuation
• Controlled egress doors must unlock on fire alarm, power loss, or fire command center switch

Assembly and Educational (Groups A and E)

Entrance doors cannot be secured from the egress side during periods the building is open to the public.

Pro Tips from Contractors

• Mag lock compliance: Electromagnetic locks require additional devices to meet Fire Marshal requirements—plan for "PUSH TO EXIT" buttons and fire alarm integration
• Hardware height: Install lock hardware 40-48 inches above floor for ADA compliance
• ANSI/BHMA standards: Use locks meeting ANSI/BHMA A156.30-2020 for high-security applications
• Parallel reviews: Mecklenburg County reviews Building, Electrical, and Fire in parallel—ensure all documentation is complete to avoid delays
• Online portal: Use the Accela Citizen Access Portal for 24/7 permit submission and tracking
• Fire integration: Document fire alarm interface clearly in plans for faster review

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

Want to know when access control projects hit permits in Charlotte before they reach bid boards?

LVN Signal monitors permit activity across North Carolina and alerts you to opportunities the moment they are filed.

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Related Guides

• North Carolina Low Voltage Contractor License Requirements
• Security Camera Permit Requirements in Charlotte, North Carolina
• Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Charlotte, North Carolina