Cherokee County

Cherokee County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

In Cherokee County, a metal carport or garage needs a permit, since the county requires one to build, alter or move any building. In Cherokee County, building permits come from the Building Code Enforcement office on Andrews Road in Murphy. The county's own permit page says a permit is needed to build, alter or move any building, and detached garages, carports, workshops and storage buildings go on a separate Misc Application Worksheet. If your land sits inside a town or a special zoning district, you also need written zoning approval from that town or district before the county will issue the permit.

Permit office: Cherokee County Building Code Enforcement
Address: 911 Andrews Rd., Murphy, NC 28906
Phone: 828-837-6730
Official county page

When a permit is required

When you need one: The county permit page lists construction, alteration, repair, relocation and removal of any building as work that needs a permit, plus any electrical, plumbing or heating and cooling work.
Carports and garages: Detached garages, carports, workshops and storage buildings that are not attached to the house use the county's Misc Application Worksheet. It asks for the building use, the type of construction (metal is one of the choices), the total construction cost and whether the lot is in a watershed or floodplain.
Inspections: The county's inspection guide lists three inspections for an accessory structure: footing, rough-in and final.
Trade permits: If you add wiring, plumbing or HVAC to the building, that work needs its own permit. The county says to call in rough-in and final inspections for all trades together, because separate trips may cost extra.
Permit life: A permit expires if work does not start within six months of the application, or if work stops for twelve months.

Zoning and setbacks

The county page asks for written zoning approval from the town official or district when one applies, so check with the Town of Murphy or Town of Andrews if your lot is in or near town. The county did not publish setback numbers for accessory buildings on its permit pages, so ask Building Code Enforcement what applies to your lot. If the property is near a river, lake, stream or creek, the county asks you to contact the office before you apply, because the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance or Watershed Protection Ordinance may apply. If the job will disturb one acre or more, you need written approval from the NC Department of Environmental Quality first.

What to bring

The completed Misc Application Worksheet (garage, storage, workshop or carport), with the parcel PIN and driving directions to the site from downtown Murphy
Contractor name, NC license number and phone, or owner information if you are doing the work yourself
Total construction cost
Written septic and well approval from Cherokee County Environmental Health, or written approval to connect to town water and sewer, when the county asks for it
Written zoning approval from the town or district, if your lot is in one
A plan of the building showing what will be built
A Notice of Lien Agent from Liens NC if the job costs $40,000 or more (the county page lists garages and storage buildings over $40,000; NC law exempts an accessory building added to an owner-occupied home)

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

Walk-in permit hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, with no appointments, so bring everything with you. Fees for new construction are based on square footage, and the county posts its Permit Fee Schedule. You can check flood and watershed areas on the county's GIS mapping page.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Cherokee County?
Yes. A detached carport goes on the county's Misc Application Worksheet, which asks for the use, the construction type and the total cost.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Cherokee County?
Yes. Detached garages, workshops and storage buildings use the same worksheet, and metal is one of the construction choices. The inspection guide lists footing, rough-in and final inspections.

Do I need zoning approval in Cherokee County?
Only if your lot is inside a town or special zoning district. Then you need that town or district's written approval before the county issues the permit.

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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