Iredell County

Outside the towns, a metal carport or garage in Iredell County needs a building permit once it is more than 12 feet in any dimension, and Building Standards and Central Permitting in Statesville handle it. The county says an accessory building needs a building permit when it is more than 12 feet in any dimension, and every structure needs zoning approval first. Mooresville, Statesville, Troutman and Harmony run their own zoning, so check which one covers your lot.

Permit office: Iredell County Building Standards Division (Central Permitting)
Address: 349 N Center Street, Statesville, NC 28677
Phone: 704-878-3113
Official county page

When a permit is required

• A building permit is required for an accessory structure that is more than 12 feet in any dimension.
• A zoning permit is required for any structure, addition or use, and no other permit is issued until zoning approval is in hand.
• Detached carports count as accessory structures. The county's code handout exempts only portable lightweight carports up to 400 square feet and a 12-foot mean roof height.
• A grading permit is needed if more than 5,000 square feet of soil will be disturbed.

Zoning and setbacks

In the county's zoning area, an Iredell accessory structure handout lists a 10-foot setback from side and rear lines for storage buildings and detached garages, and 25 feet from a side line that runs along a street, with accessory buildings kept behind the front building line. That handout is an older one, so confirm the current numbers with Planning before you set the building. On a lake lot, structures have to stay 50 feet back from the 760-foot contour line. Mooresville, Statesville, Harmony and Troutman do their own zoning and Love Valley has none, so Central Permitting can tell you whose rules apply. Larger buildings (1,200 square feet and up) can have different setbacks, so ask Planning before you size a big shop.

What to bring

• Zoning approval for the building location (comes first)
• Environmental Health approval for the lot (the county asks for the pink copy) and a recorded lot
• Heated and unheated square footage of the building
• Engineered drawings and anchoring details for the metal building
• For wiring, a licensed electrical contractor's permit with amperage, project value and description of work

Farm buildings

Under N.C. G.S. 160D-903, bona fide farm buildings are exempt from county zoning, and state law exempts farm buildings that are not used for sleeping from the building code. Iredell County's own farm building guidance says the exemption covers everything but the electrical system, and that electrical systems are never exempt. Ask Central Permitting at 704-878-3113 what farm proof they want to see before you skip the building permit.

Good to know

Iredell takes permit applications and inspection requests through its Citizen Self-Service portal. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but permit payments are taken only until 4 p.m. and walk-in applicants should arrive by 4:15 p.m. If your building sits on a wood mudsill instead of a concrete or masonry foundation, the county's code handout limits that to 400 square feet and one story, with a ground anchor at each corner. Environmental Health can be reached at 704-878-5305.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Iredell County?
Detached carports count as accessory structures, so an Iredell County carport permit is required over 12 feet in any dimension. The code handout exempts only portable lightweight carports up to 400 square feet and a 12-foot mean roof height. Zoning approval comes first.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Iredell County?
A garage or shed over 12 feet in any dimension needs a building permit, and a zoning permit is required for any structure. An older county handout lists a 10-foot side and rear setback, so confirm it with Planning.

Sources

• Iredell County: Building Standards Division
• Iredell County: Accessory Structures handout
• Iredell County Building Standards: 2018 Residential Code, Accessory Buildings and Structures
• Iredell County: Understanding Wedding Venues and Farm Buildings, GS 143-138

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.

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