New Kent County

New Kent County, VA Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Yes, plan on a Building Permit: Building Development says permits are required for all structures except non-residential farm buildings, and it publishes an inspection guide written for garages, sheds, carports and pole barns. A New Kent County carport permit is applied for in person or by mail at 12007 Courthouse Circle. Faxed and emailed applications are not accepted, so a trip or a stamp is part of the job. Questions go to 804-966-9680.

Permit office: New Kent County Building Development
Address: 12007 Courthouse Circle, New Kent, VA 23124 (mail: PO Box 150)
Phone: 804-966-9680
Official county page

When a permit is required

The county's rule is broad: a permit is needed before you construct, enlarge, alter or demolish a structure.
The county lists garages, sheds and other non-dwelling structures as accessory structures and uses one Building Permit application for all of them.
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work each need a separate permit, pulled before the rough-in inspection.
The statewide USBC exempts one-story detached sheds of 256 sq ft or less from building permits, and carports are not in that exemption. The county does not post how it applies the shed cutoff, so call before skipping a permit on a small shed.

Zoning and setbacks

The Planning Division handles setbacks at 804-966-9690. Its zoning FAQ says a residential accessory structure cannot go in front of the house and needs 5 ft from the side line and 5 ft from the rear line. Houses and other primary structures have much larger numbers, such as 75 ft front, 25 ft side and 50 ft rear in A-1, so an attached carport may be held to different distances. Near water, the county's Resource Protection Area buffer is 100 ft wide, and primary and attached structures must also stay at least 20 ft from the buffer edge. Encroaching on the buffer can mean mitigation or a hearing before the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Board, so contact the Environmental Division early.

What to bring

Completed Building Permit application
Two sets of plans
A plat or site plan showing where the structure sits and its approximate setbacks from property lines
Separate trade permit applications if you are adding electrical, plumbing or mechanical work

Farm buildings

Code of Virginia § 36-99 and USBC Section 102.3 exempt farm buildings and structures, though not restaurant use, and flood plain and mudslide rules still apply. New Kent's own wording is that permits are required except for non-residential farm buildings as defined by the USBC. We did not find a local farm exemption form posted, so ask Building Development what it wants to see before you skip the permit.

Good to know

Applications are taken daily from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., which is earlier than the 4:30 p.m. office close, and incomplete ones are turned away. The county does not take online or phone payments. Fees are figured when the application is processed, based on the fair market value of the improvement, and are doubled for work started before the permit is obtained. A permit is good for six months and each inspection extends it another six. Call the inspection line at 804-966-8572 before 4:00 p.m. for the next business day, and allow two business days. If your building sits on a poured footing, the county's guide calls for the bottom to be 18 inches deep with at least 8 inches of concrete.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in New Kent County?
Yes, unless it qualifies as an exempt farm building. Building Development requires permits for all structures except non-residential farm buildings, and carports are covered by its garage, shed and pole barn inspection guide.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in New Kent County?
A garage needs a Building Permit. A shed is listed as an accessory structure too, but the county posts no size cutoff of its own, so call 804-966-9680 about a detached shed of 256 sq ft or less.

What are the setbacks for a detached carport or garage?
The Planning Division's FAQ lists residential accessory structures at 5 ft from the side and rear lines and not in front of the house. Confirm your lot with Planning at 804-966-9690.

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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