Cleveland County

Cleveland County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

In Cleveland County, a metal carport or garage needs a zoning permit once it's larger than 12 feet on any side, and the building permit is a separate application. Cleveland County Building Inspections in Shelby takes permit applications by email, using a downloadable application that includes an accessory structure option. Zoning is a separate step through the County Planning Department, and its FAQ says a new accessory building such as a garage or workshop needs a zoning permit once it is larger than 12 feet on any side. Towns in the county may have their own zoning and permit rules, so check first if you live inside town limits.

Permit office: Cleveland County Building Inspections
Address: 1333 Fallston Rd., Shelby, NC 28150
Phone: 980-484-4997
Official county page

When a permit is required

Zoning permit and the 12-foot rule: The county Planning FAQ says new accessory structures larger than 12 feet on any side need a zoning permit. Adding a roof to a deck also needs one.
Building permit: Use the New Residential and Commercial Permit Application and check "accessory structure/pool". Download it, fill it in, save it and email it to Permits.Office@clevelandcountync.gov.
Trade work: Wiring, plumbing or HVAC in the building uses the separate Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing application.
Start on time: The application says the permit becomes void if work does not start within six months.

Zoning and setbacks

The Cleveland County Planning Department handles zoning for the unincorporated county. Setbacks for principal and accessory buildings are set in Sections 12-173 and 12-174 of the county Unified Development Ordinance, and the FAQ says a permit will not be granted if you cannot meet them, so ask Planning for the numbers in your district. You can look up your zoning district on the county GIS by turning on the "County Zoning" layer. If your project disturbs land enough to need an erosion control plan, the application asks whether it has been approved. Parts of the old Kings Mountain extraterritorial area are being moved into county zoning, so owners there should confirm which rules apply.

What to bring

The New Residential and Commercial Permit Application, emailed to Permits.Office@clevelandcountync.gov
Cost of construction, heated and unheated square footage, and whether the property is owner occupied, for sale or for rent
Contractor names and license numbers for general, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work
The workers' compensation affidavit (Appendix D) under N.C.G.S. 87-14
A scrap and waste plan: whether you will haul construction waste to the landfill yourself or use a licensed hauler
Erosion control plan approval if your land disturbance requires one
Zoning permit from the County Planning Department for an accessory building larger than 12 feet on any side
Lien agent appointment for jobs of $40,000 or more (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. If your land is in a Voluntary Agricultural District, the county permit application asks you to sign an acknowledgment that farming may occur nearby. Ask the office what proof of farm use it needs. Electrical work still needs a permit.

Good to know

The office is in the old American Red Cross building, and the county says to use the back entrance on Ivywood Dr. during construction. Illegal dumping of construction waste carries a $250 fine for a first offense and $500 after that. Your contractor can meet the inspector without you there if the building is accessible.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Cleveland County?
Yes if it's larger than 12 feet on any side, under the Planning FAQ's zoning rule. For the building side, the county's application has an accessory structure/pool box to check.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Cleveland County?
The same 12-foot zoning rule applies to a new garage or workshop. Wiring, plumbing or HVAC goes on the separate Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing application.

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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