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Mecklenburg County

Mecklenburg County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

North Carolina

A metal carport or garage over 12 feet in any dimension needs a building permit in Mecklenburg County, and Code Enforcement, part of the county's Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA), issues them across the whole county, including Charlotte and the towns. Zoning is separate: Charlotte or your town reviews where the building goes, and all building permit applications must clear zoning first. A county quick guide says a building 12 feet or less in any dimension needs only a Zoning Use Permit, while anything bigger needs a building permit.


Permit office: Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement (LUESA)
Address: 2145 Suttle Ave, Charlotte, NC 28208
Phone: 980-314-2633
Official county page


When a permit is required

  • Detached accessory buildings such as garages need a building permit through Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement.
  • An older county Residential Permits Quick Guide says structures 12 feet or less in any dimension need a Zoning Use Permit, and anything over 12 feet in any dimension needs a building permit. Confirm the current rule with Code Enforcement before you order.
  • All building permit applications must first be approved by the zoning office for Charlotte or the town where you live.
  • Electrical work in a detached garage is added to the same application (section 4) and needs inspection.


Zoning and setbacks

Zoning is handled by the City of Charlotte or by your town (Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville). In Charlotte, the city's accessory structure form says accessory buildings in side or rear setbacks must generally stay at least 3 feet from a lot line. If the building is 24 feet or taller, or taller than your house, it must be at least 15 feet from the rear lot line and meet the district's side setback. Charlotte also caps the combined size of accessory buildings on a residential lot at the heated first-floor area of the house. Towns have their own rules, so call your town's zoning office if you are outside Charlotte.


What to bring

  • Building Permit Application and Plot Plan Form (a separate application and plot plan for each building)
  • Plot plan showing streets, property lines with dimensions, existing and proposed buildings, and distances to property lines
  • Building height information and the signed accessory structure declaration (Charlotte form) stating it is not a dwelling unit
  • Zoning approval from Charlotte or your town
  • Owner Exemption Affidavit if you are building it yourself on a project of $40,000 or more


Farm buildings

N.C. G.S. 160D-903 exempts bona fide farm buildings from county building permits. Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement does not post a farm exemption form online, so call 980-314-2633 and ask what proof they accept. With much of the county inside Charlotte or a town, check with your zoning office too. Electrical work in a farm building still needs a permit.


Good to know

Homeowners who own and live in the house can use Homeowner Internet Permitting (HIP) for projects under $40,000; if you hire a contractor, the contractor pulls the permit. The Suttle Avenue office is open 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. You can look up permits issued on a property in the last 6 years with the county's permit search.


Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Mecklenburg County?
Usually. An older county quick guide says 12 feet or less in any dimension takes only a Zoning Use Permit and anything bigger takes a building permit, so confirm your Mecklenburg County carport permit at 980-314-2633. Zoning must approve first.


Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Mecklenburg County?
Detached garages need a building permit through Code Enforcement, with electrical work on the same application. Smaller sheds fall under that same quick guide, and in Charlotte combined accessory size is capped at the heated first-floor area of the house.


Sources


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.


Ready to design your building?

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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