Carteret County

Carteret County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

In Carteret County, a metal carport or garage needs a residential building permit once any dimension, including height, goes over 12 feet. Carteret County Planning & Development issues building permits from its main office in Morehead City and a western office in Cedar Point. The county fee schedule says a residential building permit is needed when a structure has any dimension greater than 12 feet, including height or elevation. Each permit is reviewed by the building inspector, the zoning official and the floodplain manager. If you live in Atlantic Beach, Bogue, Cape Carteret, Cedar Point, Emerald Isle, Indian Beach or Peletier, get that town's planning, zoning and floodplain approval before the county will issue the permit.

Permit office: Carteret County Planning & Development (Building Inspections)
Address: 3820 Bridges Street, Suite B, Morehead City, NC 28557
Phone: 252-728-8545
Official county page

When a permit is required

12-foot rule: The county fee schedule requires a residential building permit for a structure with any dimension greater than 12 feet, including height or elevation. Most carports and garages are bigger than that.
Fees: The FY27 fee schedule lists residential accessory buildings at $75 plus $0.14 per sq ft for the structure, and $75 plus $0.08 per sq ft for each trade (electrical, mechanical, plumbing).
Zoning permit: A separate residential zoning permit is $50, with a plot plan that shows your setbacks.
Flood permit: In a FEMA 100-year flood zone you also need a $50 flood development permit and must meet the county Flood Damage Prevention ordinance.
Review time: A complete application usually takes 3 to 5 business days.

Zoning and setbacks

Setbacks depend on your zoning district, so ask the county zoning official for your numbers. The county building permit form has its own setback lines for accessory structures (front, rear, side and corner side). Your site plan must show property lines, the new building's distance to each line, existing buildings, roads, well and septic locations, and the distance to the water on waterfront lots. Coastal lots may need a CAMA permit and the permit form asks whether a 30-foot CAMA buffer applies. Flood-zone lots must list the FIRM zone and base flood elevation, and some will need an elevation certificate.

What to bring

Building Permit Application Packet, signed
Zoning Permit Application with fee and a plot plan showing setbacks
Two sets of building plans
List of all contractors and subcontractors with license numbers (the county will not issue the permit without it)
Workers' compensation affidavit, or the Owner Exempt Affidavit if you are building it yourself
Septic Authorization to Construct or operation permit numbers, or the Affidavit of On-Site Wastewater Existing System, if applicable
CAMA permit, if your lot is in a CAMA area
Lien agent designation through the NC Online Lien Agent System if the job costs $40,000 or more (N.C. G.S. 44A-11.1)
Email completed applications to Permits@carteretcountync.gov

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 the office what proof of farm use it needs. Electrical work still needs a permit.

Good to know

The Western Office is at 701 Cedar Point Blvd. in Cedar Point (252-222-5833), handy for the western end of the county. Credit card payments carry a 3% surcharge. Check your flood zone on the Carteret County Flood Information page before you pick a site.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Carteret County?
Almost certainly. The county's fee schedule requires a residential building permit for any structure with a dimension over 12 feet, and most carports are bigger than that.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Carteret County?
The same 12-foot rule applies. The FY27 schedule prices residential accessory buildings at $75 plus $0.14 per square foot, and a separate $50 zoning permit calls for a plot plan showing your setbacks.

Do I need anything extra in a Carteret County flood zone?
Yes. In a FEMA 100-year flood zone you also need a $50 flood development permit and must meet the county's Flood Damage Prevention ordinance.

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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