Page County

Page County, VA Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Yes, and Page County says so outright: a pre-fabricated metal carport needs a building permit, and every accessory structure needs a zoning permit no matter how small. A Page County carport permit runs through Planning & Community Development in Luray, or through the town office for zoning if you live inside town limits. The county also wants a Virginia-licensed engineer's or architect's stamp on pre-engineered carports, so ask your seller for stamped drawings early.

Permit office: Page County Planning & Community Development (Building Inspections and Zoning Office)
Address: 103 South Court Street, Suite B, Luray, VA 22835
Phone: 540-743-6674
Official county page

When a permit is required

Pre-fabricated metal carports: building permit and foundation requirements, per the county's Accessory Building Guide.
Every accessory structure: a zoning permit, regardless of size, obtained before construction or placement.
Sheds: one-story detached tool or storage sheds of 256 sq ft or less, not Group F-1 or H, skip the building permit but still need the zoning permit.
Inside town limits: get the zoning permit from the town office.
Lots with existing well and septic: a Health Department building comment walkover comes before the building permit.

Zoning and setbacks

The county setback chart sets a 50-foot front setback for accessory structures in the Agriculture (A-1) and Woodland-Conservation (W-C) districts, measured from the road right-of-way. The chart also says no detached accessory building can go within 5 feet of any other building. Setbacks vary by zoning district, so ask for your numbers when you apply; the Zoning Office hands out setback requirements with the application. For a state-maintained road, VDOT can tell you the right-of-way, and on a private road, check your deed.

What to bring

Zoning Permit Application with the tax map number from your real estate tax bill.
Property lines and the proposed structure staked and flagged.
Survey plat if you have one, or a hand-drawn sketch, plus a copy of the deed.
VDOT entrance permit, if applicable.
Building Permit Application with two sets of drawings meeting the guide's design criteria of 90 mph wind load and 35 psf ground snow load.
Stamp from a Virginia-licensed engineer or architect for pre-engineered sheds and carports.

Farm buildings

Under Code of Virginia § 36-99 and USBC Section 102.3, farm buildings and structures are exempt from the building code, apart from restaurant use, and flood plain and mudslide rules stay in place. Page County has a notarized Farm Building Affidavit, on which the applicant confirms the structure meets the state definition of a farm building, and it asks for zoning district and tax map number. A separate Electrical Farm Release Form covers power to a farm building with no inspection. Both forms are for farm use only.

Good to know

The zoning fee for a residential accessory structure is $45. The residential building fee for garages and carports is $0.12 per sq ft with a $30 minimum when not part of a new house, plus a 2 percent state levy, under a schedule effective March 8, 2022; plan review for accessory structures is $30. Anchoring has to handle the guide's 90 mph wind load, and mobile home tie-downs spaced no more than 12 feet apart, or per the manufacturer's instructions, are accepted. The inspector checks at final. The Zoning Office is at 540-743-1324, and hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Floodplain work uses its own Floodplain Development Permit Application.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Page County?
Yes. The county's guide states that pre-fabricated metal carports need a building permit, and all accessory structures need a zoning permit whatever their size.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Page County?
A zoning permit is required for both. A one-story detached storage shed of 256 sq ft or less skips the building permit, while a larger building needs one. Garage floors must be noncombustible and slope so liquids drain toward the main vehicle entry.

Which number do I call for a permit in Page County?
Building Inspections is 540-743-6674, and the Zoning Office is 540-743-1324. Both work from the same Luray office.

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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