Alexandria City

In Alexandria, a fixed carport or a private garage needs a residential permit, according to the city's permit requirements page. That makes the Alexandria carport permit question simple for anything fixed in place. Where it can go takes more homework, since zoning and, in historic districts, the Board of Architectural Review also get a say.

Permit office: Department of Code Administration, Multi-Agency Permit Center
Address: 4850 Mark Center Drive, 2nd Floor, Alexandria, VA
Phone: 703-746-4200
Official city page

When a permit is required

• Fixed carports and private garages: residential permit.
• Accessory structures such as sheds, garages and playhouses over 200 square feet: listed as needing a residential permit.
• Applications and payments can go through the APEX portal.

Zoning and setbacks

Sheds up to 65 square feet and 8 feet tall (townhouses and certain historic-district homes) or 100 square feet and 10 feet (single and two-unit dwellings) may go in a side or rear yard behind the front building wall. Bigger ones must meet setback, floor area ratio and open space rules. Ask the Zoning Planner of the Day at 703-746-4333 how those rules treat a carport.

What to bring

• The structure's size and whether it's fixed in place.
• Where it sits relative to the front building wall.
• No carport submittal list is posted here, so ask the Permit Center what your application needs.

Farm buildings

Farm buildings and structures are exempt from the building code under Code of Virginia § 36-99 and USBC Section 102.3. Alexandria posts no farm procedure on the pages we read.

Good to know

In person, same-day service ends at 4:15 p.m., and the Permit Center closes at 2 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. For a historic property, the BAR policy allows administrative approval of a removable shed up to 65 square feet and 8 feet high, but doesn't mention carports, so call the preservation line at 703-746-3833 first.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Alexandria?
Yes, if it's a fixed carport. The city's page lists these under residential permits, so treat an Alexandria carport permit as part of the job and start it in APEX.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Alexandria?
A private garage does. So does an accessory structure over 200 square feet, and smaller sheds still have to fit the city's zoning limits.

Sources

• City of Alexandria: Permit Requirements
• City of Alexandria: Permit Center
• City of Alexandria: Land Use and Zoning
• City of Alexandria: BAR Policies for Administrative Approval
• City of Alexandria: Code Administration

Rules and fees change. Call the office to confirm before you order.

See the full Virginia permit guide for statewide rules, farm exemptions and wind and snow ratings.

Looking at buildings? See our metal carports, metal garages and metal buildings.

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