Henrico County

Henrico County, VA Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Yes, you need a building permit for a new carport in Henrico County, and the county lists garages as needing one too. Henrico names carports outright, with no size cutoff on that list, so a small carport does not get the shed treatment. Your Henrico County carport permit is filed through Build Henrico, the county's online portal.

Permit office: Department of Building Construction and Inspections
Address: 4301 East Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228
Phone: 804-501-4360
Official county page

When a permit is required

Carports: new ones, or enclosing an existing one.
Garages.
Sheds and playhouses: detached ones over 256 sq ft, or with more than one story.
A shed, tool building or playhouse of 256 sq ft or less needs no permit if it is one story, its floor is no higher than 18 inches, and its eave is under 10 feet above grade.

Zoning and setbacks

Even an exempt shed has to meet setbacks under the Zoning Ordinance. Location can trigger a hearing: the September 2025 Board of Zoning Appeals agenda carried Conditional Use Permit requests for a carport and a detached garage in side yards under Code Section 24-4404.A.1. Planning at 804-501-4602 can tell you where a building may go on your lot, and a Zoning Confirmation Letter is available if you need it in writing.

What to bring

Site plan
Construction plans such as foundation and exterior elevation plans, plus building and wall sections
Structural framing and engineered designs, including trusses and beams
Manufacturer specifications and installation instructions
Owner's Statement of Responsibility, for homeowners and their agents, or a valid VA Contractor's number for licensed contractors

Farm buildings

Farm buildings and structures are exempt from the building code under Code of Virginia § 36-99 and USBC Section 102.3. Henrico's permit pages post no farm form, so ask the Department of Building Construction and Inspections at 804-501-4360 what it needs from you.

Good to know

The residential fee is $100 for the first $5,000 of estimated labor and materials, plus $6 per additional $1,000 and a 2% state levy, so a $20,000 job comes to $193.80. Walk-in help runs Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, at Permit Center West (4301 East Parham Road, 2nd floor) and Permit Center East (3820 Nine Mile Road), or call 804-501-7280. Keep the county-approved plans on site and request inspections in the portal before 7:00 A.M. to get that day.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Henrico County?
Yes. The county's list of work needing a permit names new carports and enclosing existing ones, with no size cutoff. Apply for a Henrico County carport permit through Build Henrico or at either Permit Center.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Henrico County?
Garages are on the permit list. A detached shed needs one over 256 sq ft or above one story, and a smaller one must still be one story, have a floor no higher than 18 inches and an eave under 10 feet to skip the permit.

Can I put a carport in my side yard in Henrico County?
Ask Planning first. Side-yard carport and garage requests have gone to the Board of Zoning Appeals as Conditional Use Permit cases, which adds a hearing to your timeline.

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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