Northampton County

Northampton County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

In unincorporated Northampton County, a metal carport or garage with any side over 12 feet needs a building permit from the Department of Codes and Building Safety, and the Planning and Zoning Department issues zoning permits, both in Jackson. The county's FAQ says accessory buildings with any side over 12 feet must meet the state residential code, so most carports and garages need a permit. If you live in Conway, Garysburg, Gaston, Lasker, Rich Square, Seaboard, Severn, Woodland or the town of Jackson, you get zoning approval from the town instead.

Permit office: Northampton County Department of Codes and Building Safety (Building Inspections)
Address: 9495 Highway 305, Jackson, NC 27845
Phone: 252-534-5171
Official county page

When a permit is required

Accessory buildings with any dimension over 12 feet must meet the North Carolina residential code and need a building permit.
A zoning permit is needed any time you add a building or increase a structure's footprint.
Septic authorization from Environmental Health is part of the county's permit requirements.
Electrical and other trade work needs its own permit.

Zoning and setbacks

For a zoning permit, the county wants a completed application, a scaled site plan, and a recorded survey if the property is under two acres. A deed is usually requested to show you own the land, and if you do not, you need notarized permission from the owner. A zoning permit on its own is good for about six months, or as long as the building permit (up to three years) if you buy both together. Call Planning and Zoning at 252-534-5171 for setback numbers in your district. Septic questions go to Environmental Health at 252-534-5841.

What to bring

Residential Building Permit Application (on the county's Building Inspections page)
Two sets of plans, drawn to scale, at least 11 x 17 (an engineer is not required)
Zoning authorization that includes the tax parcel number
Septic authorization from Environmental Health
Deed, scaled site plan, and a recorded survey if the lot is under two acres

Farm buildings

Under N.C. G.S. 160D-903, a bona fide farm is exempt from county zoning, and farm buildings can be exempt from building permits. Northampton County's FAQ says the property must qualify as a bona fide farm, and even then you are only exempt from the zoning and building permits. Electrical and other trade permits still apply. Ask the office what farm proof they want, such as a present use value tax listing or a farm sales tax exemption number.

Good to know

The office takes Visa, Mastercard and Discover in person only, not by phone, mail or online. You can apply for zoning permits online through the county's CitizenServe portal. Permit fees are doubled if work starts before you have a permit. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Northampton County?
If any side is over 12 feet, yes. It has to meet the state residential code and needs a building permit. Adding a building also takes a zoning permit, or town approval if you live in a town.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Northampton County?
The same 12-foot line applies to the building permit. A zoning permit is needed any time you add a building or increase a footprint, and septic authorization from Environmental Health is part of the county's permit requirements.

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.

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