Radford City

Radford requires a building permit before any accessory building is built or placed on a lot, and that is the rule to plan a metal carport around. Applications go to the Building Official at 10 Robertson Street, in person or by mail, because the city's page does not describe an online option. On new construction, a signature sheet also travels to zoning, the City Engineer and Water/Wastewater before the permit can be issued. If you are asking about a Radford carport permit for an empty lot, note that a permanent accessory building needs the permit for the main building first.

Permit office: City of Radford Building Official
Address: 10 Robertson Street, Radford, VA 24141
Phone: 540-267-3179
Official city page

When a permit is required

• The city says a building permit comes before any accessory building is constructed or placed on a lot.
• Virginia's building code has no carport exemption, so expect to need the permit for a carport.
• The state exempts one-story detached tool and storage sheds of 256 square feet or less from the building permit, but Radford's page says any accessory building. Ask the Building Official how that applies to a small shed.
• A permanent accessory building on a lot without a main building needs the main building's permit first, and it can only be used for temporary storage of construction materials until the main building has its certificate of use and occupancy.
• Accessory buildings cannot be used as dwellings, except by domestic employees or caretakers working on the property.

Zoning and setbacks

Accessory buildings generally stay out of the yards required for the main building, with one useful exception. Next to a single-family, single-family attached or duplex home, a building 12 feet or less in height may sit in the required rear yard or side yard (not the street side yard) if it stays at least 5 feet from every lot line. It also cannot be taller than the main building. Lot coverage for main and accessory buildings combined tops out at 30 percent in R-1 and 35 percent in R-2. Ask the Zoning Administrator at 540-731-3603 for your property's classification.

What to bring

• Owner's name, address and phone number
• Site address
• Contractor's name, address and phone number
• A description of the work and the total construction cost
• The Residential Building Application, which the city lists for accessory structures, plus the Contractor Information Form it lists for all permits
• Plans, if the Building Official requires them for your project

Farm buildings

Virginia law leaves farm buildings outside the building code, except when one is used as a restaurant, and flood plain and mudslide rules still apply. Radford's pages do not lay out a farm procedure, so talk to the Building Official before you count on the exemption.

Good to know

The city posts its forms on the Building Official page and the height and yard rules on its Accessory Buildings page. Carports are left out of the floor area definition in the zoning ordinance, but that definition does not waive the permit. A building over 12 feet tall loses the rear and side yard exception, so check your height before you order.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Radford?
Plan on it. Radford requires a building permit before any accessory building goes on a lot, and the state code has no carport exemption. Apply with the Building Official at 10 Robertson Street, in person or by mail.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Radford?
A garage, yes. For a shed of 256 square feet or less, the state exempts it from the building permit while the city's page says any accessory building needs one, so call 540-267-3179 and ask before you set it.

How close to the property line can it sit in Radford?
At a single-family, single-family attached or duplex home, a building 12 feet or less in height can sit in the required rear or side yard if it is at least 5 feet from every lot line. The street side yard is not included. Taller buildings have to stay out of required yards.

Sources

• City of Radford: Building Official
• City of Radford: Accessory Buildings
• City of Radford: Zoning Ordinance
• City of Radford: Staff Directory

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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