Carroll County

Most likely yes if you're putting up a carport in Carroll County, though the answer comes from your town hall because the county has no permit office. The towns here don't line up. Conway wants a building permit for any change to a structural footprint, whatever the size or cost, while Wolfeboro exempts accessory structures up to 200 square feet. Near the lakes and the Saco and Swift Rivers, a state shoreland permit can come first.

Permit office: No building permits come from Carroll County itself, so these three town offices are examples, and every other town has its own.

• Town of Conway Building Department
  Address: 23 Main St, Conway, NH 03818
  Phone: 603-447-3811
  Conway residential building permit application
• Town of Wolfeboro Building & Code Enforcement
  Address: 84 South Main Street, Wolfeboro, NH 03894
  Phone: 603-569-5970
  Wolfeboro Building / Code Enforcement page
• Town of Moultonborough Land Use Department
  Address: 6 Holland Street, Moultonborough, NH 03254
  Phone: 603-476-2347
  Moultonborough Land Use Department

When a permit is required

• Conway: the application requires a building permit for any structural footprint change on the property, regardless of size or cost. Garages, barns and sheds have their own fee line.
• Wolfeboro: a building permit is needed to build, repair, move or demolish a building or structure, but accessory structures of 200 square feet or less are exempt.
• Moultonborough: the Land Use Department is where to ask. Its zoning ordinance defines a building permit as a document from a code official, and the sections we checked don't set a size cutoff.
• Under 200 square feet does not end the conversation anywhere in New Hampshire, since a town can set a stricter rule than the 2021 IRC exemption and zoning applies either way.

Zoning and setbacks

Moultonborough's zoning ordinance sets residential and agricultural structures back 20 feet from any lot line and 50 feet from the high-water line of any lake, pond, river or stream. Where a road has no defined right-of-way line, the setback is 50 feet from the centerline. Accessory structures there can't be adapted for use as a dwelling. Conway sends you to its Zoning Ordinance for minimums, and a surveyed plot plan may be required if the setbacks aren't clear on your drawing. Conway also lists a zoning permit among its land use applications.

What to bring

• Conway's checklist asks for a scale plot plan, foundation plan, framing plan and insulation plan or EC-1 form on new construction, with one full set of plans in PDF and hard copy.
• Your distances on the plot plan to lot lines, the center of the road, wetlands and water. Conway measures them at 90 degrees and horizontally on slopes.
• Any NHDES Shoreland Impact Permit or Permit by Notification that applies.
• Your check payable to the Town of Conway. A driveway permit and paving surety need a separate check.

Farm buildings

Carroll County farm buildings still fall under the state building code, with IBC Appendix C adopted for Group U agricultural buildings. RSA 674:32-a helps where zoning doesn't address agriculture, and RSA 674:32-c lets a local board waive setback or dimensional rules that don't work for a farm. Moultonborough's setbacks above do apply to agricultural structures.

Good to know

Conway asks you to apply at least 30 days before the project starts, and its form lists a $75 base fee and $0.45 per square foot for garages, barns and sheds. Ask how those two combine, because the form's layout doesn't make it clear. In Wolfeboro, inspections are requested by email at least 48 hours ahead, the permit stays posted on site, and someone has to be there unless it's pre-arranged. Moultonborough's Land Use Department is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4 pm.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Carroll County?
Assume yes until your town says otherwise. Conway requires a building permit for any footprint change. Wolfeboro exempts accessory structures of 200 square feet or less, so measure your carport against that number first. Zoning, shoreland and wetlands buffers still apply.

Does a small metal shed or garage need a permit in Wolfeboro or Conway?
In Wolfeboro, a shed of 200 square feet or less doesn't need a permit, though the town recommends contacting them about your project. A larger building does. Conway has no size exemption on its form, and garages and sheds pay by the square foot.

Does building near the water change anything?
Yes. Conway requires a Shoreland Impact Permit or Permit by Notification from NHDES for a footprint change within 250 feet of a water body over 10 acres, including the Saco and Swift Rivers. Moultonborough also sets structures back 50 feet from the high-water line.

Sources

• Conway Residential Building Permit Application
• Conway applications page
• Wolfeboro Building / Code Enforcement
• Wolfeboro shed FAQ
• Moultonborough Land Use Department
• Moultonborough Zoning Ordinance
• NH DHHS county and town list
• RSA 155-A
• RSA 674:32-c

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

See the full New Hampshire permit guide for statewide rules, farm exemptions and wind and snow ratings.

Looking at buildings? See our metal carports, metal garages and metal buildings.

Ready to design your building?

Design it yourself in 3D with the button below, or call 919-725-8176 and we'll help you figure out what your county needs.