Portsmouth City

Portsmouth City, VA Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

For a Portsmouth carport permit, expect two steps: a zoning permit, which the city requires for most forms of development and before it issues a building permit, then the building permit itself. Carports are not in the state's small shed exemption, so do not plan on skipping it. Building permits are handled at the Department of Permits and Inspections counter on the fourth floor of City Hall, and the number listed on the city's permit system is 757-393-8531.

Permit office: Portsmouth Department of Permits and Inspections
Address: City Hall, Fourth Floor, Portsmouth, VA
Phone: 757-393-8531
Official city page

When a permit is required

Zoning permit: required for most forms of development, and required before a building permit, business license or Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
Carports: plan on a building permit, since USBC 108 does not list them.
Metal garages and other accessory buildings over the state shed exemption: building permit through Permits and Inspections.
One-story detached tool or storage sheds of 256 sq ft or less are exempt from the building permit under USBC 108 (not Group F-1 or H). Ask Planning whether a zoning permit still applies.
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits are also issued at the fourth floor counter.

Zoning and setbacks

Zoning permits come through the Planning Department, not the building counter, and that step comes first. The city's pages we could read do not give setback numbers for accessory buildings, so get the distances for your lot from Planning before you settle on a size or location. Planning also runs the city's Flood Program and historic district reviews.

What to bring

Approved zoning permit
Building permit application
Two full-size hard copies of the construction documents, brought to the counter or mailed
Site plan, included with the construction documents
Plans dimensioned and drawn to scale

Farm buildings

The state rule applies here as it does everywhere in Virginia: Code of Virginia § 36-99 and USBC Section 102.3 exempt farm buildings and structures, except restaurant use, and flood plain and mudslide rules still apply. We found no Portsmouth procedure for claiming it, so ask Permits and Inspections.

Good to know

Do not email your plans. The city's submittal guide is blunt that digital files are only a backup to hard copies, and missing information holds up the project until it is complete. The City of Portsmouth Online Permitting System (POPS) exists, but online applications are still marked coming soon for registered contractors. Permit fees are in Appendix A of the city code on Municode.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Portsmouth?
Plan on both a zoning permit and a building permit. The zoning permit has to come first, and carports are not covered by the state's shed exemption.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Portsmouth?
A metal garage follows the same two steps. A one-story detached shed of 256 sq ft or less is exempt from the building permit, but check with Planning on the zoning side, since the zoning permit page does not list exceptions.

Can I apply online in Portsmouth?
Not yet, from what the POPS site says. Plan on the fourth floor counter or the mail.

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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