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Fairfax City

Fairfax City, VA Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Virginia

In Fairfax City, a permanent attached or detached carport generally needs a Zoning Permit, and the building side should be confirmed with Code Administration since the city's permit FAQ doesn't name carports. Before you buy, know that the city's residential guide says portable or temporary carports, portable garages and steel arch buildings are generally not permitted. Ask about your exact building before looking further into a Fairfax City carport permit.


Permit office: City of Fairfax Code Administration
Address: 10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-385-7830
Official city page


When a permit is required

  • Attached and detached garages and carports generally need a Zoning Permit.
  • Most residential work that needs a building permit also needs a zoning permit, garages included.
  • The city's permit FAQ requires a building permit for detached structures over 256 square feet.
  • The zoning page says sheds or storage structures of 250 square feet and under need no building or zoning permit.


Zoning and setbacks

In the RL, RM and RH districts, storage structures top out at 250 square feet. Up to 80 square feet, a shed can be 8 feet 6 inches tall and must sit behind the rear wall of the house. From 81 to 250 square feet, it can be 12 feet tall and must be 5 feet from interior side and rear lot lines. All accessory structures together can't exceed 30 percent of the combined required rear and side yards. Storage structures generally aren't allowed in floodplains or Resource Protection Areas. Zoning Division: 703-385-7820.


What to bring

  • Building plan as a single PDF, if drawings are needed for your scope
  • Scaled plat or site plan by a state-licensed surveyor or title company, if the exterior is affected
  • Owner Authorization Form
  • Owner Exemption Statement, signed and notarized, if the owner is doing the work


Farm buildings

Farm buildings and structures are exempt from the building code under Code of Virginia ยง 36-99 and USBC Section 102.3. The city's permit and zoning pages show no farm building form, so ask Code Administration what to file and confirm the zoning rules with the Zoning Division.


Good to know

Applications go through the city's Permit Portal, starting with a residential pre-application that produces a ZON record number. The zoning fee is $35 when one is required, and the Code Administration page lists a residential building fee of $0.11 per square foot, with other fees on a separate schedule. Code Administration and Zoning are both open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.


Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Fairfax City?
Generally yes for a permanent one. A Fairfax City carport permit starts as a Zoning Permit, and the residential guide says portable or temporary carports are generally not permitted at all.


Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Fairfax City?
A garage needs a zoning permit and, in most cases, a building permit. Storage structures of 250 square feet and under need neither, but steel arch buildings and portable garages are generally not permitted in RL, RM and RH districts.


Can I put a shipping container or steel arch building on a home lot?
The city's residential guide says converted shipping containers, Quonset huts and steel arch buildings are generally not permitted.


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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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.

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