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Newport County

Newport County, RI Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Rhode Island

Plan on a building permit for a carport in Newport County unless it is one story, detached and no more than 64 square feet, which is the only size Rhode Island's state code lets go without one. No county government exists to issue it, so you go to the building official in Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth or Tiverton. Water matters here too: within 200 feet of a coastal shoreline feature, the state's Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) also requires its own permit.


Permit office: No county office exists here. Go to the office for the town where your land sits.


When a permit is required

  • Rhode Island's SBC-2 (2021 IRC with state amendments, effective December 1, 2025) requires a building permit for accessory structures over 64 square feet, including most carports and metal garages.
  • Newport's Building Inspections page says outright that garages require permits.
  • Tiverton takes all building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical applications online through OpenGov, and Little Compton takes permit applications in electronic format only.
  • Any wiring needs an electrical permit, no matter how small the building.
  • Doing the work yourself in Newport? You get the same permit a contractor gets, and you sign a notarized homeowners affidavit.


Zoning and setbacks

Middletown's Section 703 says no accessory building may sit in a required front yard or closer than 10 feet to the main building, unless attached. A structure of 150 square feet or less and no more than 15 feet tall may go as close as 5 feet to a lot line in the required rear yard. Portsmouth lets a storage shed up to 120 square feet sit in the rear yard, 3 feet from the rear and side lines. Larger sheds must meet the district's setbacks, such as 20 feet rear and 10 feet side in R-10, or 30 feet rear and 20 feet side in R-40. Little Compton's sheet lists a 50 foot front yard, 25 foot rear and side yards and 10 percent maximum lot coverage for residence lots, with accessory structures capped at 24 feet tall. In Tiverton, Code Enforcement interprets the zoning ordinance and issues zoning certificates.


What to bring

  • In Little Compton, expect to upload site plans showing setbacks, lot coverage, wetlands and flood zone for larger projects. That list is written for new homes and additions over 600 square feet, so ask what a detached building needs.
  • Your plat and lot number or street address, which Tiverton's portal uses for searching permit records without a login.
  • For owner-built work in Newport, the notarized homeowners affidavit.
  • Any state approvals that apply, such as a CRMC permit. Little Compton checks CRMC compliance before a Certificate of Occupancy.


Farm buildings

Rhode Island does not have a general exemption for farm buildings, so a barn on farmland still goes through the building official. Plastic-covered temporary greenhouses are the one exception, under R.I. Gen. Laws 23-27.3-109.1.3.5. Little Compton does give farm buildings more height, allowing accessory barns and other agricultural structures up to 30 feet and silos up to 50 feet.


Good to know

CRMC's permit applies to construction on a shoreline feature or within 200 feet of one, and if you are not sure, a preliminary determination costs $100 (CRMC guidance). Tiverton's office also administers floodplain matters under the National Flood Insurance Program (Tiverton Building Permits). Little Compton's sheet shows building permit fees of $9 per $1,000 up to $10,000, then $90 plus $7 per $1,000 up to $50,000 (Little Compton fees and setbacks). Inspections there need 24 hours' notice. Office hours: Newport City Hall is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, and Jamestown Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 4:30. Portsmouth is open 8:30 to 4:30 Monday to Wednesday, until 6:30 Thursday, and until 2:30 Friday. Portals: Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton.


Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Newport County, Rhode Island?
Yes, unless it is one story, detached and 64 square feet or less. There is no county office, so apply with the building official in the town where the land is.


Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Middletown or Portsmouth?
A garage or any shed over 64 square feet needs a building permit. Zoning then sets the placement. Middletown allows structures of 150 square feet or less within 5 feet of a lot line in the rear yard, and Portsmouth allows sheds up to 120 square feet within 3 feet of the rear and side lines.


Does a coastal lot need anything extra?
Often, yes. CRMC requires a permit for construction on a shoreline feature or within 200 feet of one, and a $100 preliminary determination can settle whether your lot is covered.


Sources


Rules and fees change. Call the office to confirm before you order.


See the full Rhode Island 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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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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