Pulaski County

Pulaski County, VA Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Every accessory structure in Pulaski County needs a Zoning Permit, whether or not it needs a building permit, and a metal carport should plan on both. The county defines a carport as open on at least two sides, and anything closed in beyond that is treated as a garage. Any Pulaski County carport permit starts at the Community Development office on Third Street NW, which handles building and zoning together. The county's Unified Development Ordinance also uses 256 sq ft as a dividing line for setbacks, so size affects where you can put it.

Permit office: Pulaski County Community Development, Building Department
Address: 143 Third Street NW, Suite 1, Pulaski, VA 24301
Phone: 540-980-7710
Official county page

When a permit is required

A Zoning Permit is always required. The county handout says this applies regardless of the building permit.
Sheds up to 256 sq ft don't need a building permit, but they must be anchored at each corner.
Electrical or mechanical work means a building permit, even on a small building.
Above 256 sq ft the county's handout requires a building permit, with deeper footing rules once a structure tops 600 sq ft.
In a special flood hazard area, floodplain engineering and floodplain development rules apply.

Zoning and setbacks

The September 2026 UDO gives accessory setbacks by district. In Agricultural and Conservation districts, it's 35 feet in front, with 10 feet side and rear over 256 sq ft, or 3 feet side and rear at 256 sq ft or less. RR, R and LR use a 25-foot front, MR 20 and HR 15, with the same side and rear split. Most accessory buildings can reach 35 feet in height, though the Airport Overlay can set its own limits. Commercial, industrial and planned districts differ, so check the zoning office for those.

What to bring

The New Structure Zoning Permit Application.
A site plan showing the structure and distances in feet to all property lines and the road right-of-way. The county prefers it on aerial imagery from its GIS page.
Tax map number, parcel acreage, estimated value, proposed height and square footage.
Plans specific to a prefabricated building, or plans stamped by a Registered Design Professional for a pre-engineered one.
Contractor license details, or a notarized owner's affidavit if you're doing the work yourself.
Proof that required county taxes or license fees are paid.

Farm buildings

Farm buildings fall outside the state building code unless they're used as a restaurant, and flood plain and mudslide rules still count. Pulaski's Farm Structure Affidavit asks about your current farm production, must be signed before a notary, and rules out any residential use, including campers and motor homes. The Zoning Administrator signs off on it, and the form says a zoning permit will be required.

Good to know

The UDO lists the Zoning Permit fee at $40. Permit paperwork is sent by email and must be complete at submittal, and applications get a 3-day review. There's also a Citizen Self Service portal, linked from the Building Department page. The county's carport note lets a Registered Design Professional's design set the anchoring, and continuous footings may be omitted where allowed.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Pulaski County?
Yes, at least a Zoning Permit, and plan on a building permit too. The county's handout exempts sheds at 256 sq ft or less from the building permit, but it doesn't give carports that same break.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Pulaski County?
A garage needs both permits and has to meet the full state code. A shed up to 256 sq ft needs only the Zoning Permit, plus a building permit if you add electrical or mechanical work.

How close to the property line can my building go?
It depends on district and size. In most residential and agricultural districts it's 3 feet on sides and rear at 256 sq ft or less, and 10 feet above that.

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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