Northampton County

Northampton County, VA Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Yes, count on two approvals: a Zoning Clearance first, then a building permit, because the county requires clearance before construction and the statewide shed exemption does not list carports. For a Northampton County carport permit outside the towns, go to the Department of Planning, Permitting & Enforcement at 16404 Courthouse Road in Eastville, 757-678-0440. On Virginia's Eastern Shore, wind and water rules can add to the plans.

Permit office: Northampton County Department of Planning, Permitting & Enforcement
Address: 16404 Courthouse Road, Eastville, VA 23347
Phone: 757-678-0440
Official county page

When a permit is required

Zoning Clearance: required before any project that constructs or enlarges a building or structure, including work that needs a building permit.
Building permit: required before building, unless a USBC exemption applies. The county's USBC summary repeats the 256 sq ft shed exemption and does not mention carports.
A site plan is required for any permit that increases a building's footprint. The county names garages and sheds as examples.
Disturbing 2,500 sq ft or more calls for a Land Disturbance Permit or Engineered Site Plan.
The county's building page lists separate numbers for zoning and building questions in the towns: Cape Charles at 757-331-3259 and Exmore at 757-442-3114.

Zoning and setbacks

The county's zoning code, Appendix B, sets accessory structure setbacks by district. Examples: 10 ft side and 20 ft rear in C, 10 ft side and rear in A/RB, and 5 ft side and rear in H/R and V-R. Find your district on the county mapping site with the 2016 Amended Zoning layer on, then confirm the numbers with zoning staff. An accessory building closer than 10 ft to the main building is treated as part of it for yard rules. The whole county is a Resource Protection Area or Resource Management Area under the Chesapeake/Atlantic Preservation Act. The RPA includes a 100-foot vegetated buffer, and any encroachment needs a Water Quality Impact Assessment, so talk to the Zoning Administrator first.

What to bring

Zoning application packet with its checklist, from the Zoning Permit Technician (757-678-0443 ext. 524)
Building Permit Application, complete; it can be mailed or hand-delivered
Two sets of plans, with the preparer's name, occupation, address and contact information if not sealed
Site plan showing address or Tax Map ID, property lines and easements, the 100-year flood plain if present, all structures, and distances to property lines
Real estate taxes must be current, or the application is not accepted

Farm buildings

Under Code of Virginia § 36-99 and USBC Section 102.3, farm buildings and structures do not fall under the building code, except restaurant use, and flood plain and mudslide rules continue to apply. The county's zoning page mentions exempt uses without saying which, and we found no local farm form, so ask whether a farm building still needs a Zoning Clearance.

Good to know

Hours are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. The county code sets accessory buildings on residential property, including stables and barns, at $0.28 per square foot with a $100 residential minimum, plus a 10% Fire Services surcharge and a 2% State Code Academy surcharge. The 2022 fee sheet lists Zoning Clearance at $25 and doubles the fee for after-the-fact permits; confirm with the permit technician. A Wind Resistant Construction Policy applies within 1,500 ft of tidal salt water or major bodies of water. Structures in the 100-year flood plain need storm-resistant details, and those in V zones must be sealed by a Virginia-licensed architect or engineer.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Northampton County?
Yes, in the county's jurisdiction you should expect a Zoning Clearance and a building permit. Carports are not listed in the USBC exemptions the county summarizes. Exempt farm buildings are a separate question for the office.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Northampton County?
A garage needs both approvals and a site plan. A one-story detached shed of 256 sq ft or less can be exempt from the building permit, but the Zoning Clearance rule still covers constructing a structure.

Who do I call about building or zoning?
Start with the main line, 757-678-0440. The Building Permit Technician is at 757-678-0443 ext. 543 and the Zoning Permit Technician is at ext. 524.

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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