Culpeper County

Culpeper County, VA Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

In Culpeper County, plan on a Zoning Permit and a building permit for a metal carport or garage. The county's FAQ only excuses residential storage sheds of 256 square feet or less from a building permit, and only when they aren't meant for storing vehicles. Your Culpeper County carport permit runs in that order, since the Building Department wants the Zoning Permit before you submit.

Permit office: Culpeper County Building Department
Address: 302 N. Main Street, Lower Level, Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: 540-727-3405
Official county page

When a permit is required

Zoning Permit for all building permits, and for sheds that don't need a building permit
Building permit for a garage or carport, attached or detached, which the fee schedule charges by square foot
Building permit for an accessory building over 256 square feet
Land disturbance permit when you disturb 10,000 square feet or more, and the threshold can be lower in certain watersheds

Zoning and setbacks

The county's Zoning Permit sets the setbacks from your property lines, and those apply to any structure. County zoning is at 540-727-3404, in the same building as the Building Department. Inside the Town of Culpeper, the zoning permit comes from the Town Zoning Office at 400 S. Main Street, 540-829-8260. No setback numbers are posted in the county FAQ, so get them from the zoning office for your lot.

What to bring

Copy of the Zoning Permit, and an approved site plan if one applies
Completed Building Permit Application, every field filled in
Plans drawn to scale at 1/4 inch per foot or larger; three sets if submitting on paper
Two copies of the plat showing the building location and total square footage, when mailing
Virginia Health Department permit, if required for a new well or septic connection

Farm buildings

Farm buildings and structures are exempt from the building code under Code of Virginia § 36-99 and USBC Section 102.3. We didn't find a farm building form posted by Culpeper County, so ask the Building Department what to file, and check with county zoning about a Zoning Permit and setbacks.

Good to know

Apply through the county's Citizen Portal, where the Building Department has to approve your account first. Paper applications aren't processed at the counter and go in line first come, first served. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On the 2022 revision of the residential application, garages, carports and accessory buildings over 256 square feet run $.15 per square foot, plan review is $.03 per square foot with a $75 minimum, and there's a 2% technology fee and a 2% state levy. A $75 administrative fee is due at submission, is applied to the permit total, and isn't refunded if you cancel.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Culpeper County?
Plan on it. The county charges for carports on its residential fee schedule, and its storage shed exemption leaves out buildings meant for vehicles. A Culpeper County carport permit starts with a Zoning Permit from county or town zoning.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Culpeper County?
A garage needs a Zoning Permit and a building permit. A residential storage shed of 256 square feet or less that won't store vehicles skips the building permit but still needs the Zoning Permit.

What does it cost if I build first and ask later in Culpeper County?
The 2022 revision of the residential application lists a $200 charge for working without a permit.

Sources

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

See the full Virginia 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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