Bladen County

Bladen County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Yes, a metal carport or building in Bladen County needs at least a zoning permit, since the county zoning permit form has check boxes for storage buildings and garage/carports. The Building Inspections Department in Elizabethtown handles both zoning permits and building permits. Inside Elizabethtown, Bladenboro, Clarkton, White Lake or another town, check with that town, since its rules may apply instead.

Permit office: Bladen County Building Inspections Department
Address: 450 Smith Circle, Elizabethtown, NC 28337
Phone: 910-862-6780
Official county page

When a permit is required

The county zoning permit application lists storage buildings and garage/carports. The zoning fee on the form is $25.00.
Work may not begin until the permit is approved and issued. Permits bought after work starts are charged double fees.
Many NC counties skip the building permit for a small accessory building with no side or height over 12 feet. Ask Bladen County if a building permit is needed on top of the zoning permit for your size.
A garage or enclosed building is built to the 2018 NC State Building Code.

Zoning and setbacks

The Building Inspections Department takes the zoning permit application. The form says all zoning and building code requirements, including setbacks, must be met, but it does not list the distances, so ask the office for your lot. If you are on a private septic system, the form asks for your septic tank permit number and approval. If the site is in a flood plain, you will need an elevation certificate.

What to bring

The Bladen County Zoning Permit Application with your tax parcel ID, 911 job site address, owner and contractor details and contractor license number.
Your septic tank permit number if the property is on private sewer.
An elevation certificate if the site is in a flood plain.
A Workers' Compensation Affidavit, or the Owner Exemption Affidavit if you are doing the work yourself. Both are on the county Permitting Forms page.
Engineered drawings for a certified metal building if a building permit is required.

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. Bladen County's fee schedule lists farm buildings as exempt, except electrical. Ask the office what proof of farm use they want, and plan on an electrical permit if you run power.

Good to know

Go early. Plans approval and building permits are accepted only until 9:30 AM, Monday to Friday, and inspectors take code questions until 9:30 AM, even though the office is open 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Forms are on the county Permitting Forms page. Fax is (910) 862-6932.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Bladen County?
Yes, at least a zoning permit. The Bladen County zoning form has a check box for garage/carports, and the fee on the form is $25.00. Ask the office if your size needs a building permit on top of that.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Bladen County?
Storage buildings and garages are both on the zoning permit form, so plan on that permit. Don't start early, because permits bought after work begins are charged double. Building permits are only taken until 9:30 AM.

Is a farm building exempt in Bladen County?
Bladen County's fee schedule lists farm buildings as exempt, except electrical. Ask the office what proof of farm use they want, and get an electrical permit if you run power.

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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