Prince William County

Prince William County, VA Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Yes, every carport in Prince William County needs both a building permit and zoning approval, and the county says so outright on its Do I Need a Permit page. Zoning comes first, then plan approval, permit issuance and inspections. Getting a Prince William County carport permit usually turns on the lot, because on 3 acres or less the size, height and yard limits for detached structures are much tighter. Bring your house location survey plat, since zoning works from that.

Permit office: Prince William County Department of Development Services, Building Development Division
Address: 5 County Complex Court, Suite 120, Prince William, VA 22192
Phone: 703-792-6930
Official county page

When a permit is required

Carports and garages always need a permit, and they always need zoning approval.
Sheds of any size need zoning approval. One-story tool or storage sheds, playhouses and the like need a building permit only over 256 sq ft.
Other detached accessory structures need a building permit regardless of size.
Electrical, plumbing or mechanical work takes separate trade permits, even on a small shed.
Prefabricated and pre-engineered buildings are not exempt from code compliance. County shed guidelines ask for engineer-sealed drawings when a prefab isn't already tested and approved by a recognized agency.

Zoning and setbacks

On lots of 3 acres or less, detached accessory buildings go in side or rear yards only, with an 18-foot height limit. In a rear yard they sit 5 feet from side and rear lines, or 20 feet from the side line next to the street on a corner lot. In a side yard they follow the main house's setbacks. The county's guide sets the size limit at 576 sq ft or 30% of the house area, so ask zoning how that applies to you. Over 3 acres, any yard works, height runs to 35 feet, there's no floor area cap, and house setbacks apply. Townhouse lots allow 12 feet in height, rear yard only, and R-16 and R-30 districts require 10 feet from all lines with a 15-foot height limit. Every structure must stay at least 5 feet from the house and can't be connected to it by a breezeway.

What to bring

Three copies of your house location survey plat, drawn to scale with the surveyor's seal and signature.
The plat marked with structure dimensions, setbacks to property lines, height, stories and proposed use.
The zoning processing fee. No zoning application form is required for residential and agricultural lots.
A Special Power of Attorney Affidavit, if the applicant isn't the owner or a registered county contractor.
Construction plans for the building permit, sent electronically through the ePortal, with a copy of the zoning approval.
Contractors bring a Virginia contractor license and a county business license.

Farm buildings

State law exempts farm buildings from the building code, leaving aside restaurant use and flood plain or mudslide areas. Prince William's written policy adds that the building must serve farm use about 95% of the year, with non-farm use up to 18 days. All buildings still need zoning approval here, and the county treats that approval as evidence the property is a working farm. The policy points to an exemption worksheet, so ask Building Development at 703-792-6930 for it.

Good to know

Structures can't sit in easements, buffers or Resource Protection Areas, and an RPA location needs written approval from Public Works, Watershed Management at 703-792-7070. Zoning counter questions go to 703-792-6830. Development Services counters run 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, and close from 8 to 9 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Detached structures can't be used as a dwelling or for a home business. Read the county's guide to sheds and detached accessory structures before you buy.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Prince William County?
Yes. The county states that a permit is always required for a garage or carport, and zoning approval is required too.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Prince William County?
A metal garage always does. A one-story shed needs zoning approval at any size, and a building permit once it's over 256 sq ft.

How close can a detached structure be to my property line?
On a lot of 3 acres or less, 5 feet from the side and rear lines when it's in the rear yard, with more on a corner lot's street side. On larger lots the main house setbacks apply. Zoning verifies your lot size and district before approving.

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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