Burke County

Burke County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

In Burke County, every storage building and every prefab open-sided carport needs a zoning permit, no matter the size. A shed or storage building over 12 feet in length, width or height also needs a building permit, and a carport over 20x20 (400 square feet) needs one too. County Building Inspections covers all of Burke County except the City of Morganton, which handles its own permits. In Valdese, Drexel, Glen Alpine or another town, call the town about its zoning rules as well.

Permit office: Burke County Building Inspections
Address: 110 N Green Street, Morganton, NC 28655
Phone: 828-764-9020
Official county page

When a permit is required

Zoning permit: required for every storage shed and accessory structure, of any size, and for prefab open-sided carports.
Building permit for sheds and garages: required when the building is larger than 12 feet in length, width or height.
Building permit for carports: required when the carport is larger than 20x20 (400 square feet).
Order of approvals: the zoning permit must be approved before the building permit is issued. Buildings follow the 2018 NC Residential Code.

Zoning and setbacks

Zoning is handled by Burke County Planning and Zoning, part of Community Development. The county's zoning permit application lists residential setbacks of 30 feet front, 15 feet side and 20 feet rear. Accessory buildings generally go in the side or rear yard outside those setbacks, though lots of 1 acre or more may place them in the front yard, and on a vacant lot the front setback for an accessory building is 80 feet. Lakefront projects need a Shoreline Protection Permit as well, and staff also review floodplain rules. Confirm the setbacks for your zoning district before you pick a spot.

What to bring

Zoning Permit Application (fillable PDF), submitted by email to community@burkenc.org, in person or by mail
Residential permit application through the county's Citizen Self Service portal, where you also schedule inspections
A site plan showing the building and its distances to property lines and other structures, plus building plans such as engineered drawings for a certified metal building
Appendix D Workers' Compensation form, and an Owner Exemption Affidavit if you are the homeowner doing the work
A Lien Agent form when the project is $40,000 or more and the county's exceptions don't apply

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. Burke County still lists agricultural buildings on its zoning permit application and asks for a farm tax exemption or farm identification number, or other proof of bona fide farm status. Electrical work still needs a permit.

Good to know

Community Development (planning and zoning) is at 828-764-9030, and Building Inspections is at 828-764-9020. Both work out of 110 N Green Street in Morganton, open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Inspections are scheduled online and happen between 8 am and 4 pm on the scheduled day, with no set appointment time. Ask for an inspection before you pour a slab, because inspectors can't check a foundation once it's poured.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Burke County?
Every prefab open-sided carport needs a zoning permit, no matter the size. If it's larger than 20x20 (400 square feet), you need a building permit as well. Inside Morganton, the city handles its own permits.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Burke County?
Any shed or storage building needs a zoning permit, and one over 12 feet in length, width or height needs a building permit too. The zoning permit has to be approved before the building permit is issued.

What are the setbacks for an accessory building in Burke County?
The zoning permit application lists 30 feet front, 15 feet side and 20 feet rear for residential lots. Accessory buildings usually go in the side or rear yard, though lots of 1 acre or more may put them in front.

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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