top of page
Redemption Steel logo (trimmed for header).png

Catawba County

Catawba County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

North Carolina

In Catawba County, a metal carport or garage starts with a zoning permit, followed by a building permit through ePermits. Catawba County Building Services in Newton issues building permits for unincorporated Catawba County and for eight towns: Brookford, Catawba, Claremont, Conover, Hickory, Long View, Maiden and Newton. You start with a zoning permit from whoever handles zoning where your land sits, then apply for the building permit through the county's ePermits portal. In the unincorporated county, an accessory building can't be permitted unless a house already exists on the lot or is being permitted at the same time.


Permit office: Catawba County Building Services (Permit Center)
Address: 25 Government Drive, Newton, NC 28658
Phone: 828-465-8399
Official county page


When a permit is required

  • Zoning first: The county's accessory structure handout says you need a zoning permit before the building permit. In the unincorporated county that comes from Catawba County Planning (828-465-8380). Inside a town, start with that town's zoning office.
  • House on the lot: In the unincorporated county, an accessory structure can't be permitted unless a house exists on the same lot, or a house permit is issued at the same time.
  • Building permit: The county's procedure for one and two family dwellings and residential accessory buildings covers storage buildings. Inspections that don't apply, like plumbing on a building with no plumbing, are skipped.
  • Trade permits: Electrical, mechanical and plumbing work each need a permit.


Zoning and setbacks

Catawba County Planning handles zoning in the unincorporated county (828-465-8380, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The county's residential accessory structure handout lists these setbacks: not in the required front setback, at least 5 feet from the house, 10 feet from side lot lines, 5 feet from the rear lot line, and 30 feet from the waterfront on the lakes or the Catawba River. Multi-use, multi-story or livable-space accessory buildings must meet the full house setbacks for the zoning district. Height can't go over the limit for your district. Towns like Hickory, Conover and Newton set their own zoning.


What to bring

  • Zoning permit application with a drawing to scale on 8.5 x 11 or 8.5 x 14 paper showing the footprints of new and existing buildings (parcel maps are on the county GIS site)
  • Septic and well approval from Environmental Health (828-465-8270), or water and sewer approval, if needed
  • Erosion Control Affidavit (listed for accessory buildings on the county's contractor page)
  • Building permit application through ePermits, with one set of plans showing a scaled layout
  • Workers' Compensation Affidavit, if it applies to your job
  • Lien agent designation if the job costs $40,000 or more (N.C. G.S. 44A-11.1)


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 Permit Center is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, but permits are only issued until 4:00 p.m. Apply and schedule inspections on Catawba County ePermits. Fees are collected when the permit is issued, and the county asks you to turn in all approvals and forms at one time to avoid delays.


Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Catawba County?
Plan on it. The county's accessory structure handout calls for a zoning permit before the building permit. If you're unsure about a small one, call the Permit Center at 828-465-8399.


Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Catawba County?
The same two steps apply. In the unincorporated county, get the zoning permit from Planning at 828-465-8380. Inside a town, start with that town's zoning office.


Can I put a metal building on a lot with no house in Catawba County?
Not in the unincorporated county. An accessory structure can't be permitted unless a house is on the lot or a house permit is issued at the same time.


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.


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.

bottom of page