Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County, VA Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Your property taxes have to be current before Prince Edward County will take a building application, so settle that first if you're getting a metal carport. After that, the county treats a carport as an accessory structure, which needs Planning and Zoning approval and a building permit. A Zoning Permit comes first, because the building application asks for that permit number and a copy of the approval. Those two steps are what a Prince Edward County carport permit comes down to, and both offices share the third floor at 111 N. South Street.

Permit office: Prince Edward County Building Office
Address: 111 N. South Street, 3rd Floor, Farmville, VA 23901
Official county page

When a permit is required

The Building Office requires permits for anyone building, enlarging or converting a building in the county, contractors and homeowners alike.
Sheds, garages and carports all fall under the county's accessory structure document list.
A Zoning Permit is needed first. Applications are posted by zoning district: A1, A2, R2, C-1, C-R and I-1.
Exemptions follow Virginia Construction Code section 108.2, which covers one-story detached storage sheds of 256 sq ft or less, not carports.
An "In Lieu of E&S" or "E&S/Storm" permit may apply, depending on your project.

Zoning and setbacks

Planning and Community Development (434-414-3037) issues zoning approval and picks the form by your zoning district. We did not confirm setback numbers from the county's pages, since they sit in the Zoning Ordinance on Municode, so ask that office for the figures that fit your parcel.

What to bring

Proof your taxes are paid. The county lists 434-392-3454 for this.
Your Planning and Zoning approval and its permit number.
The erosion and sediment control paperwork, if it applies to your project.
Electronic plans plus one hard copy.
DPOR license information if a contractor is doing the work.
The completed building application, with the landowner's name as it appears on the deed.

Farm buildings

Under state law a farm building generally stays outside the building code, except for restaurant use, and flood plain and mudslide rules can still reach it. Prince Edward has a Farm Structure Application: an affidavit you file with the Building Inspection Department once you hold an approved Zoning Permit. You need to be able to document the farm operation, for example with a Schedule C or Schedule F. Once the form is complete, the county doesn't inspect the building or issue a Certificate of Occupancy, but zoning and erosion rules still apply. A false affidavit is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $2,500.

Good to know

The Building Office is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, but in-person applications stop at 3:30. You can also apply by email. A permit goes void if work doesn't start within 6 months, or if it stops for 6 months once begun. See the county's list of documents needed for a permit.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Prince Edward County?
Yes. A carport is on the county's accessory structure list, so you'll need zoning approval and then a building permit. The state exemption for small sheds does not extend to carports.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Prince Edward County?
A metal garage does. A one-story storage shed of 256 sq ft or less is exempt from the building permit under state code. Call Planning and Zoning at 434-414-3037 about a small shed, because the county pages don't spell out whether zoning approval still applies.

Can I get a permit if I owe back taxes?
No. The county says no application can be submitted until taxes owed on the owner and location are paid in full.

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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