Durham County

Plan on a permit for a metal carport or garage in Durham County, where the city and county share one permitting system. Accessory buildings go through a Small Project Review building permit with a detailed checklist, and zoning, historic and watershed rules are checked by City-County Planning.

Permit office: Durham City-County Building & Safety
Address: 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 919-560-4144
Official county page

When a permit is required

Durham's checklist covers accessory structures where no one will live and there's already a house on the lot. It doesn't publish a size cutoff, so ask whether your building needs a full permit. Under statewide practice, buildings over 12 feet in any direction generally do.

Zoning and setbacks

Email planning@durhamnc.gov to confirm zoning, historic preservation, floodplain or watershed overlay rules for your parcel. Watershed areas may limit how much new roof and pavement you can add.

What to bring

• Small Project Review building permit application
• Completed accessory structure checklist
• Scaled plot plan with setbacks, easements and buffers (a surveyor's seal may be required)
• Signed construction drawings
• Lien agent form and insurance or license proof for projects of $40,000 or more

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 for its farm exemption form. Electrical work still needs a permit.

Good to know

Submit online through Durham's Dplans portal.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Durham County?
Durham doesn't publish a size cutoff, so ask Building & Safety at 919-560-4144. Under statewide practice, a building over 12 feet in any direction generally needs a permit, and a Durham County carport permit runs through Small Project Review.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Durham County?
Treat them the same way. The accessory structure checklist covers buildings where no one will live on a lot that already has a house, and you'll need a scaled plot plan and signed drawings.

Can a Durham lot have extra rules?
Yes. Email planning@durhamnc.gov to check zoning, historic, floodplain and watershed overlays, since watershed areas can limit new roof and pavement.

Sources

• Durham: Accessory Structure Checklist

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.