Randolph County

Randolph County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Plan on getting permits before you put up a metal carport or garage in Randolph County, starting with a zoning permit from the county's Central Permit Office. The county says the zoning permit is the first permit needed before you build, add to or place any building or structure, and building permits come from the Randolph County Building Inspections Department. That same department also handles inspections for Archdale, Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur, Randleman, Seagrove, Staley and Trinity, so a Randolph County carport permit question often ends up at the same Asheboro office even inside those towns. The county doesn't post a size cutoff for small accessory buildings online, so call before you order.

Permit office: Randolph County Building Inspections Department
Address: 204 East Academy Street, Asheboro, NC 27203
Phone: 336-318-6565
Official county page

When a permit is required

A zoning permit is the first permit Randolph County requires before constructing, erecting, adding to or placing any building or structure.
Building, electrical and other trade permits are issued separately, and since May 1, 2021 each one gets its own permit number for inspection requests.
The county has a written guideline for accessory buildings up to 400 square feet. Ask the office for a copy and for its size cutoff.
Work is checked against the North Carolina State Building Code (the 2018 edition is still in use statewide).

Zoning and setbacks

Zoning permits are handled through the Randolph County Central Permit Office in the Central Permit Building, which also issues building, electrical, plumbing, insulation, heating and air, well and septic permits plus flood and special use permits. Property Development Technicians help at each step. Have the owner's full name, lot or tract size, subdivision name (if any) and road name ready when you apply. Setbacks come from the Randolph County Unified Development Ordinance. Ask the zoning staff for the setbacks that apply to your lot before you pick a spot.

What to bring

The property owner's full name, the lot or tract size, subdivision name if any, and the road name (the Central Permit Office asks for these).
Your parcel number if you are an owner applying online. The online system only works for parcels that already have an assigned address.
Supporting documents such as drawings in PDF form (the portal takes PDFs under 99MB; larger files can be emailed to the department).
Separate permits for any electrical work, like lights or outlets in a garage.

Farm buildings

Under N.C. G.S. 160D-903, county zoning and building rules generally don't apply to bona fide farm buildings in the county's jurisdiction, so a metal barn or equipment shelter used for farming on qualifying farmland may be exempt. Ask the Central Permit Office what proof of farm use they want to see. Any electrical wiring in a farm building still needs an electrical permit and inspection.

Good to know

You can apply, pay and schedule inspections through Randolph County NCPermits, the county's online permit system. Owners who live in the home can apply with their parcel number, and contractors in good standing can request an account (call 336-318-6595 to set one up). The Building Inspections office is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, and inspectors are easiest to reach between 8 and 9 am or 4 and 5 pm. When you call for an inspection, give the inspection type and the permit number.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Randolph County?
Yes, plan on it. Randolph County requires a zoning permit first for any building or structure, and the Building Inspections Department issues the building permit. The county has an accessory building guideline, so call 336-318-6565 and ask what size triggers a building permit before you order.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage in Archdale, Liberty or another Randolph County town?
Randolph County Building Inspections handles inspections for Archdale, Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur, Randleman, Seagrove, Staley and Trinity. Zoning inside a town can be the town's own call, so check with the town and the county office.

Can I apply online?
Yes. Use the county's NCPermits portal if your parcel already has an address. Owners living in the home apply with a parcel number, and contractors request an account.

Sources

Rules and fees change. Call the office to confirm before you order.

See the full North Carolina permit guide for statewide rules, farm exemptions and wind and snow ratings.

Looking at buildings? See our metal carports, metal garages and metal buildings.

Ready to design your building?

Design it yourself in 3D with the button below, or call 919-725-8176 and we'll help you figure out what your county needs.

Design Your Building in 3D