Ramps in North Carolina: G.S. 160D-1110 and the $40,000 rule

North Carolina homeowners sometimes hear that small projects under a dollar limit need no permit, and a wheelchair ramp sounds small. The statute behind that rule is real, but it has exceptions that matter for a ramp, so it is worth reading before the lumber arrives.

Renters have their own question, and the state's fair housing law gives a direct answer. Both are below, along with the threshold ramp and door openers that complete an entrance.

Permits under G.S. 160D-1110

The general rule is that no person may begin "The construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, movement to another site, removal, or demolition of any building or structure" without "first securing all permits required by the North Carolina State Building Code and any other State or local laws" (G.S. 160D-1110(a)).

Subsection (c) carves out smaller jobs. "No permit issued under Article 9 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is required for any construction, installation, repair, replacement, or alteration costing forty thousand dollars ($40,000) or less and performed in accordance with the current edition of the North Carolina State Building Code in any single-family residence, farm building, or commercial building unless the work involves" one of several listed items. The first is "The addition, repair, or replacement of load-bearing structures." Others include new or changed "electrical wiring, devices, appliances, or equipment" and "Any changes to which the North Carolina Fire Code applies."

A built ramp with posts, framing and landings may well count as adding a load-bearing structure, which would bring it back under the permit requirement; a rubber threshold ramp set in a doorway is a very different thing. We are not the ones to decide where your project falls. Your city or county inspections department is, and the exemption also requires that the work follow the current State Building Code either way.

Renting? The State Fair Housing Act speaks to it

Under North Carolina's State Fair Housing Act, it is an unlawful discriminatory housing practice to "Refuse to permit, at the expense of a handicapped person, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by the person if the modifications are necessary to the handicapped person's full enjoyment of the premises." For a rental unit, the landlord may, where reasonable, "condition permission for modifications on agreement by the renter to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modifications, reasonable wear and tear excepted" (G.S. 41A-4(f)(1)). Ask in writing and describe the change.

Rain, heat and the occasional ice storm

NOAA's climate summary for North Carolina reports annual precipitation ranging from 34.8 inches in 2007 to 68.4 inches in 2018, and says "extreme precipitation from these storms is a great hazard to the state," referring to tropical storms and hurricanes. It also notes that "Snow and ice storms have the potential to cause significant damage," even though the state averages only about 5 inches of snow a year outside the high mountains.

That makes drainage the first design question for an outdoor ramp here. Water should run off the surface and away from the base, not pool at the bottom landing. A textured surface helps on humid mornings and after summer storms, and handrails earn their keep on the few icy days each winter. At the coast, choose materials that tolerate salt air.

Equipment for the entrance

Our ramps and door collection focuses on the doorway. The details below are from each product's page on our site.

• Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp: bridges a threshold up to 4 in high with modular rubber sections. Each assembled size has a 36 in usable width and an 850 lb capacity, the surface is non-slip, and Harmar says it is assembled in the USA.
• Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener: the Model 133 unlatches a locked door through an electric strike, then opens, pauses and closes it. A remote comes standard, handheld or mounted on a wheelchair, and an internal battery keeps it going in a power failure.
• Open Sesame 36 in Vertical Push Pad (FW): a 36 in tall wireless wall switch for spots that would otherwise need an upper and a lower switch, so one pad serves a seated rider and a standing family member alike.
• Open Sesame 2-Button Transmitter (H): one handheld remote with a button for each of two doors, for a home with operators on both the front door and the door to the garage or porch.

North Carolina Assistive Technology Program

The NCATP is "a state and federally funded program that provides assistive technology services statewide to people of all ages and abilities." It offers device demonstrations, short-term loans and reutilization from 9 centers, and the AT3 Center lists a financial loan program in the state as well.

Ordering and delivery to North Carolina

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. Planning a full ramp? Try the ramp fit check. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC, free on orders over $500 ($15 under $500), and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. See our North Carolina shipping page.

Questions about ramps in North Carolina

Do I need a permit for a wheelchair ramp in North Carolina?

Possibly, even for a small job. G.S. 160D-1110(c) waives permits for work of $40,000 or less in a single-family residence, but not when the work involves "The addition, repair, or replacement of load-bearing structures," among other exceptions. A framed ramp may fall into that category. Ask your city or county inspections department before you build.

Does the $40,000 exemption mean I can skip the building code?

No. The exemption in G.S. 160D-1110(c) applies only to work "performed in accordance with the current edition of the North Carolina State Building Code." It removes the permit, where it applies, not the code requirements. A ramp still needs to be built to code whether or not a permit is required.

Can my landlord stop me from adding a ramp?

G.S. 41A-4(f)(1) makes it unlawful to refuse reasonable modifications, at the tenant's expense, that are necessary for full enjoyment of the home. For a rental, the landlord may, where reasonable, require you to restore the interior when you leave. Put your request in writing with a description of the ramp.

What door opener controls work for both seated and standing users?

The Open Sesame 36 in Vertical Push Pad (FW) is a tall wireless wall switch meant for places that would otherwise need an upper and a lower switch. Paired with the Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener, one pad can serve someone in a wheelchair and someone standing at the same door.

Browse the ramps and door openers collection, use the ramp fit check, or start the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• G.S. 160D-1110, Building permits
• G.S. 41A-1, Title (State Fair Housing Act)
• G.S. 41A-4, Unlawful discriminatory housing practices
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: North Carolina (2022)
• NCDHHS: North Carolina Assistive Technology Program
• AT3 Center: State AT Programs
• Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp product page
• Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener product page
• Open Sesame 36 in Vertical Push Pad (FW) product page
• Open Sesame 2-Button Transmitter (H) product page