Fairfax County

Fairfax County, VA Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Yes, you should plan on a Fairfax County carport permit: the county lists detached carports, garages and barns on a home lot as work that needs a building permit, with no size cutoff for them. The one size exemption on that list is for detached storage sheds of 256 square feet or less and one story. Even exempt buildings have to meet the county's height and yard rules, so a tall metal building can land much farther from the lot line than a low one.

Permit office: Fairfax County Land Development Services, Permit Application Center
Address: 12055 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 324, Fairfax, VA 22035
Phone: 703-222-0801
Official county page

When a permit is required

Detached residential carports, garages, sheds, barns, gazebos and pool houses are on the county's permit-required list.
No building permit: detached storage sheds of 256 square feet or less and no more than one story, though other approvals may still apply.
Anything attached to an existing structure needs a building permit.
Most plumbing or electrical lines run to the building need separate trade permits.

Zoning and setbacks

Height drives placement. Up to 8.5 feet tall, an accessory structure can sit anywhere in a side or rear yard. From 8.5 to 12 feet, it must be at least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines. Over 12 feet, the rear setback must at least equal the height, and the side setback follows the lot's minimum. Height is measured from the lowest adjoining ground to the highest point. On lots of 36,000 square feet or less, accessory structures generally can't go in a front yard, and none may go in a minimum front setback or a county easement. Zoning Permit Section: 703-222-1082.

What to bring

Building plans showing building height
House location plat drawn to scale with distances from lot lines (a conservation or grading plan may be required instead, depending on site impact)
Property Ownership Form, if ownership must be verified
Permit Authorization Form, if you are neither the owner nor a contractor

Farm buildings

Farm buildings and structures are exempt from the building code under Code of Virginia § 36-99 and USBC Section 102.3. The county's permit page does not address farm buildings and we found no local form, so ask Land Development Services what to file and check with the Zoning Permit Section on setbacks.

Good to know

You apply and pay through FIDO and upload documents through ProjectDox. Phone and email help runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. A detached garage within 3 feet of the house needs drywall and a fire-rated door like an attached one. If the lot may be in a floodplain or Resource Protection Area, call 703-324-1720. The county does not enforce HOA covenants, so check those separately.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Fairfax County?
Yes. Detached carports are on the county's residential building permit list, and the Fairfax County carport permit is handled by Land Development Services at 703-222-0801.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Fairfax County?
A detached garage needs a building permit. A detached storage shed of 256 square feet or less and one story does not, but it still has to meet the height and yard rules.

How close to the lot line can it go?
It depends on height: anywhere in a side or rear yard up to 8.5 feet, 5 feet from those lines between 8.5 and 12 feet, and farther when over 12 feet.

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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