Avery County

Avery County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Whether a metal carport or garage needs a permit in unincorporated Avery County is up to Avery County Inspections in Newland, so call them before you order. The county site tells anyone planning to build any type of structure to check with the Inspections office first to learn which permits they need, and building permits come from that office. Inside Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Crossnore, Elk Park, Newland, Seven Devils or Sugar Mountain, check with that town, since its rules may apply instead.

Permit office: Avery County Inspections
Address: 200 Montezuma Street, Newland NC 28657
Phone: 828-733-8204
Official county page

When a permit is required

Call Inspections before you order. The county says anyone planning to build any type of structure should check with the office to learn what permits apply.
Many NC counties skip the building permit for a small accessory building with no side or height over 12 feet. Ask Avery County if it follows that rule before you count on it.
A garage, shop or enclosed building is built to the 2018 NC Residential Code, so expect plans and inspections for anything that needs a permit.
Wiring is separate. Any electrical work needs its own electrical permit.

Zoning and setbacks

Avery County's Planning Department handles grading, steep slope rules and trout buffer rules, along with the building side. Setbacks and site rules depend on your lot, so ask the office what applies to your parcel before you pick a spot. If you are clearing or grading a pad on a slope, ask whether you need a grading permit. If the building sits in a mapped flood area, the county has a separate floodplain application. Keep the building clear of your septic tank, drain field and well.

What to bring

The right building permit application: the county has separate forms for a homeowner building permit and a contractor building permit on its Permit Forms page.
A site plan showing the building, its size and its distance to property lines and other structures.
Building plans. For a certified metal building, bring the engineered drawings for your exact size and rating.
A grading permit or floodplain application if your site needs one.
An electrical permit application if you are running power to the building.

Farm buildings

A building used only for a bona fide farm may be exempt from a building permit in county jurisdiction under N.C. G.S. 160D-903. Ask Avery County Inspections what proof of farm use they want to see. Electrical work still needs a permit.

Good to know

Avery County is high mountain country, so ask Inspections what snow load and wind speed your building should be rated for at your elevation. Permit forms are on the county's Permit Forms page. The office lists hours of Mon-Fri 8:00AM-4:30PM. The county also posts its steep slope regulations, worth a look if your lot is on a grade.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Avery County?
Call Avery County Inspections at 828-733-8204 before you order. The county doesn't post a size cutoff, and it asks anyone planning any type of structure to check with the office first.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Avery County?
Plan on it for an enclosed garage or shop, since those are built to the 2018 NC Residential Code with plans and inspections. Ask whether Avery follows the 12-foot small building rule before counting on it for a shed. Running power needs its own electrical permit.

What if my lot is on a steep slope in Avery County?
Ask whether you need a grading permit before you clear a pad. The county posts steep slope regulations and also handles trout buffer rules, so check both if your lot is on a grade.

Sources

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

See the full North Carolina 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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