Galax City

Plan on a permit, but call first: Galax lists accessory buildings among its building construction permits and posts no size cutoff or carport rule, so the Building Official has to tell you how your building is treated. Ask about a Galax carport permit at the Municipal Building on East Grayson Street. A separate Zoning Permit runs through the Zoning Administrator, and the city's application shows no charge for it.

Permit office: City of Galax Building Department (Building Official)
Address: 111 East Grayson Street, Galax, VA 24333
Phone: 276-236-7297
Official city page

When a permit is required

• Accessory buildings are on the city's list of building construction permits, with no posted size cutoff
• Fences and other structures are on that same list
• Anything built, filled or excavated in the floodplain goes through the Building Official and a Floodplain Development Permit

Zoning and setbacks

The Zoning Application (revised January 23, 2025) goes to the Zoning Administrator at 111 E. Grayson Street, and it lists Zoning Permit and Review at $0.00. The zoning code has its own section on accessory buildings, § 160-148, so ask for the distance rules that fit your lot and zoning district.

What to bring

• Completed Zoning Application with the parcel number and legal description
• Site plan showing the footprint of buildings with dimensions
• New building dimensions to the property lines
• Streets and driveways that front or enter the lot
• Three copies of plans

Farm buildings

Farm buildings and structures are exempt from the building code under Code of Virginia § 36-99 and USBC Section 102.3. Galax posts no farm building form, so ask the Building Official what to file and the Zoning Administrator whether zoning review still applies.

Good to know

The Building Official keeps hours of 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, while the Municipal Building line, 276-236-2131, runs 9 to 5. Residential applications are filed online through the city's iWorQ portal, linked on the permits page. A fee sheet labeled as a 2023 proposal shows $0.35 per square foot for residential new construction and counts carports and garages in the area, so ask what is in force for your building. That same sheet multiplies the permit cost by 1.5 for work started without a permit.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Galax?
Expect to. The city names accessory buildings on its building permit list but does not post a carport rule or size cutoff, so a Galax carport permit question goes to the Building Official at 276-236-7297.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Galax?
Galax lists accessory buildings as needing building construction permits without printing a size limit. The statewide USBC rule exempts one-story detached sheds of 256 square feet or less, so ask the office how it applies to yours.

Does a zoning permit cost anything in Galax?
The city's Zoning Application lists Zoning Permit and Review at $0.00. Variances and appeals are $250.

Sources

• City of Galax: Building Official / Department Services
• City of Galax: Building Official
• City of Galax: Zoning and Land Development
• City of Galax: Zoning Application
• City of Galax: Permits and Forms
• City of Galax: Building Permit Fees, 2023 proposed

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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