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New Hanover County

New Hanover County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

North Carolina

In unincorporated New Hanover County, a carport or garage permit comes from the county's Building Safety department at the Government Center in Wilmington, and you apply online through the COAST portal. Accessory buildings go on the county's residential accessory permit application. The City of Wilmington and the beach towns (Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach) run their own permits and flood rules, so start with your town if you live inside one.


Permit office: New Hanover County Building Safety
Address: 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone: 910-798-7311
Official county page


When a permit is required

  • Accessory buildings use the county's Residential Building Addition, General Repairs, Renovation, and Accessory Permit Application, filed through COAST.
  • Building Safety enforces the building-related floodplain rules, so a building in a flood zone has to meet flood construction standards.
  • A CAMA minor permit is likely needed if the site is within 75 feet of the estuarine shoreline, about 300 feet of the ocean beach, or in or near marsh, wetlands or other Areas of Environmental Concern.
  • Ask Building Safety at 910-798-7311 whether a small building falls under the state 12-foot exemption before you skip the permit.


Zoning and setbacks

Your site plan has to show property lines, setbacks, all structures, and the well and septic locations if you have them. Call the county's Planning & Land Use office for the setback numbers in your zoning district. New Hanover is a coastal county with mapped flood zones. The county says new construction in a flood zone must meet standards for raised floors, anchoring and foundations that let water pass, and nothing can be built in a floodway without an engineering No-Rise study. For floodplain questions the county lists its Planning Operations Supervisor at 910-798-7281.


What to bring

  • Residential Building Addition, General Repairs, Renovation, and Accessory Permit Application (submitted in COAST)
  • One complete set of unprotected PDF plans
  • Dimensioned site plan with property lines, setbacks, structures and well/septic locations
  • Construction plan for the building
  • If the job costs $40,000 or more: the contractor's workers' compensation certificate and a lien agent registration at liensnc.com


Farm buildings

Under N.C. G.S. 160D-903, bona fide farm buildings are exempt from county zoning, and farm buildings can be exempt from building permits. Ask Building Safety and Planning & Land Use what farm proof they want before you build, such as a present use value tax listing or a farm sales tax exemption number. Electrical work still needs a permit.


Good to know

You apply, pay and schedule inspections through the county's COAST portal. The residential fee schedule lists a $60 flat fee for minor accessory work with one inspection, and major accessory work at a $400 minimum plus $0.221 per square foot. If you are near the water, the county's local permit officer handles CAMA minor permits ($119 processing fee, 910-798-7116) and the AEC Hazard Notice for Ocean Hazard areas.


Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in New Hanover County?
Accessory buildings go on the county's residential accessory permit application through COAST. Ask Building Safety at 910-798-7311 whether a small one falls under the state 12-foot exemption before you skip it.


Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in New Hanover County?
Use the same application. Your site plan has to show property lines, setbacks, all structures, and any well and septic. Inside Wilmington or the beach towns, start with your town instead.


What if I am building near the water in New Hanover County?
A CAMA minor permit is likely needed within 75 feet of the estuarine shoreline, about 300 feet of the ocean beach, or in or near marsh and wetlands.


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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