Buncombe County

Buncombe County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Yes, a metal carport, detached garage or storage building in Buncombe County needs a permit from Buncombe County Permits and Inspections, which has its own accessory structure permit application for residential accessory buildings. The whole county has zoning, so most properties need a zoning permit before the building permit. Inside Asheville, Black Mountain, Weaverville, Woodfin or Biltmore Forest, that town's rules may apply instead, so check who covers your address before you order.

Permit office: Buncombe County Permits & Inspections
Address: 35 Woodfin St., Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: 828-250-5360
Official county page

When a permit is required

Building permit: the county lists residential accessory buildings, unheated garages and carports as permitted work, with a separate Residential Detached Accessory permit application.
Zoning permit first: on land with a zoning district, including the Steep Slope overlay, you need a Zoning Permit before the building permit.
Trade permits: electrical, plumbing or mechanical work is added to the permit as separate trades.
Code: structures are built to the 2018 NC Residential Code. Call before you buy to ask whether a small building with no side over 12 feet is exempt.

Zoning and setbacks

Zoning is handled by the Planning & Development Zoning Division, and setbacks depend on your zoning district. Setbacks are measured from the farthest part of the building, including roof overhangs, to the property line or road right-of-way, and corner lots must meet the setback from each road. If your HOA or subdivision has stricter setbacks, you have to meet those too, but the county does not enforce HOA rules. Building above 2,500 feet on slopes of 35% or more falls under the Steep Slope/High Elevation Overlay, and high ridges can fall under the Protected Ridge Overlay, both with extra site plan items.

What to bring

Site Plan Review (zoning) application through the county's Development & Permits Portal
Residential Detached Accessory permit application, noting whether the building is pre-built, plus height, square footage and foundation type (slab, piers or other)
A site plan showing the building and its distances to property lines, roads and existing structures
Building plans, such as engineered drawings for a certified metal building
Contractor and trade subcontractor names with NC license numbers, or owner information if you are building it yourself

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 Permits & Inspections what proof of farm use it needs before you build. Electrical work still needs a permit.

Good to know

Zoning questions go to the Zoning Division at 828-250-4830 ext. 1, and Environmental Health (well and septic) is 828-250-5016. Permits & Inspections is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, and does not take applications or fees after 4 pm. The county fee schedule effective July 1, 2026 lists unheated accessory buildings, unheated garages and carports at $100 plus $80 per trade. This is mountain country, so ask what snow load and wind speed your site needs, especially at higher elevations.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Buncombe County?
Yes. Buncombe County lists carports as permitted work, and the fee schedule effective July 1, 2026 puts them at $100 plus $80 per trade. Most properties need a zoning permit before the building permit.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Buncombe County?
Unheated garages and storage buildings go on the county's Residential Detached Accessory permit application. The county doesn't spell out a small building exemption, so call 828-250-5360 to ask whether one with no side over 12 feet is exempt.

Does the steep slope rule affect a metal building in Buncombe County?
It can if you're building above 2,500 feet on a slope of 35% or more, which puts you in the Steep Slope/High Elevation Overlay. That overlay, and the Protected Ridge Overlay on high ridges, add items to your site plan.

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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