Cabarrus County

Cabarrus County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

In unincorporated Cabarrus County, a garage, storage building or carport needs a zoning permit from the county Zoning Division, and it may also need a building permit from Construction Standards depending on its size. Construction Standards does building inspections for all areas within Cabarrus County. Inside Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, Midland, Mount Pleasant or Locust, zoning goes through that town instead.

Permit office: Cabarrus County Construction Standards
Address: 65 Church Street S, Concord, NC 28025
Phone: 704-920-2128
Official county page

When a permit is required

Zoning permit: required to build an accessory structure (garage, storage building, gazebo and the like), to add onto one, or to install a carport.
Building permit: may also be required depending on the size of the structure. Ask Construction Standards before you order whether your size needs one.
Trade permits: electrical, plumbing or mechanical work needs its own trade permit.
Code: buildings that need a permit are reviewed to the 2018 NC Residential Code.

Zoning and setbacks

Zoning is handled by the Cabarrus County Planning and Development Zoning Division, and setbacks depend on your zoning district under the county Development Ordinance (Chapters 5 and 7 cover accessory structures). Setbacks are measured from the existing or proposed road right-of-way, which you can check on the county GIS site. When you apply, you turn in a plot plan, and staff review it for setbacks, impervious area, buffers, watershed standards and floodplain standards.

What to bring

Applications through the county's Accela Citizen Access portal
A plot plan showing your property, the new building and its distances to property lines and the road right-of-way
The zoning permit approval, which goes with the building permit application
Building plans in PDF format, such as engineered drawings for a certified metal building
A lien agent document if the project is $30,000 or more

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 Construction Standards and the Zoning Division what proof of farm use they need before you build. Electrical work still needs a permit.

Good to know

Construction Standards is at 704-920-2128 (email inspections@cabarruscounty.us), and the Zoning Division is at 704-920-2141. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, and payments are not taken after 4 pm. Call ahead to confirm where to go in person, since the county has been renovating its Government Center.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Cabarrus County?
Yes, installing a carport in unincorporated Cabarrus County takes a zoning permit from the county Zoning Division. You may need a building permit too, depending on size, so ask Construction Standards at 704-920-2128.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Cabarrus County?
A garage or storage building needs a zoning permit, and size decides the building permit. Inside Concord, Kannapolis or another town, zoning goes through the town, but Construction Standards still does the building inspections.

How are setbacks checked in Cabarrus County?
Staff review your plot plan for setbacks, impervious area, buffers, watershed and floodplain standards. Setbacks are measured from the road right-of-way, which you can look up on the county GIS site.

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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