Davidson County

Davidson County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

In Davidson County, a metal carport or garage goes through a zoning permit and the building permit process at Central Permitting. In Davidson County, building permits go through Inspections / Central Permitting on Greensboro Street in Lexington, and zoning goes through the Planning & Zoning Department next door. The county's residential packet lists a zoning permit as one of the first steps, so plan on zoning sign-off before the building permit. In residential districts the zoning ordinance caps accessory structures at 20 feet tall and keeps them out of the front setback.

Permit office: Davidson County Inspections / Central Permitting
Address: 912 Greensboro Street, Lexington, NC 27292
Phone: 336-242-2230
Official county page

When a permit is required

Zoning first: The county's residential packet lists a zoning permit from Central Permitting as part of the permit process. The residential zoning fee is $25.
Building permit: Apply through Central Permitting. The county fee schedule lists pole sheds at $40 and a $40 minimum permit fee.
Garages and carports: The residential building permit form asks for carport and garage square footage, so they are reviewed as part of the permit.
Small buildings: NC law exempts many accessory buildings with no side over 12 feet from a building permit, but call 336-242-2230 to confirm how Davidson County applies it to your building.

Zoning and setbacks

Zoning questions go to Planning & Zoning at 336-242-2220. Under Section IV.6 of the Davidson County Zoning Ordinance, accessory structures in residential districts can be no taller than 20 feet and cannot sit in the required front setback. If the building sits beside or in front of the house, it needs at least 10 feet from the side lot line. If it sits behind the house, it needs at least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines. Waterfront lots on a body of water get some room to place a building in the front or side yard, with a 5 foot side line minimum. For zoning, the county wants a site plan with accurate distances to every property line, total built-upon area, and impervious surface for the whole property if you are in a water supply watershed. You also have to say whether the property is in the county flood hazard area. If it is, there is a separate Application for Permit to Develop in a Flood Hazard Area with a $100 fee.

What to bring

Site plan showing accurate distances from the building to all property lines
Parcel number, owner name, phone number and 911 address
A description of what the building will be used for (a labeled floor plan works)
Total built-upon area, plus impervious surface for the whole lot if you are in a water supply watershed
Signed floodplain information sheet, and the flood hazard area application if the lot is in a flood zone
Contractor names and license numbers, and a signed workers' compensation affidavit

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. The Davidson County Zoning Ordinance also lists bona fide farms as exempt from zoning, though farm property used for non-farm purposes is still covered. Electrical work on a farm building still needs a permit, so call Central Permitting at 336-242-2230 to ask what proof of farm use they want.

Good to know

Permits and inspections run through the county's OpenGov portal at davidsoncountync.portal.opengov.com, where you can apply and schedule inspections. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Permits are issued 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and next-day inspection requests are taken 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residential building permits on the county fee schedule start at $70 for work valued up to $10,000, plus $2.90 per $1,000 above that. Planning & Zoning is at 913 Greensboro Street, Suite 305, in Lexington. If your project needs a new septic system, Environmental Health (336-242-2310) handles the Improvement Permit and Authorization to Construct.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Davidson County?
Plan on it. The building permit form asks for carport square footage, and the zoning permit is $25. NC law exempts many buildings with no side over 12 feet, so call 336-242-2230 to confirm for yours.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Davidson County?
A garage follows the same process. The fee schedule lists pole sheds at $40, which is also the minimum permit fee.

How tall can a metal building be in Davidson County?
In residential districts, accessory structures can be no taller than 20 feet and can't sit in the required front setback.

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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