Richmond City

For a metal carport in the City of Richmond, count on a building permit from the Bureau of Permits and Inspections, filed through the Online Permit Portal. Carports are not on the state's permit-free list, and the city's own accessory rules still apply: a 20-foot height limit in residential districts and setbacks that change by zoning district. Smaller sheds that skip the building permit still need a Certificate of Zoning Compliance. Anyone looking up a Richmond carport permit should also check for historic district review, because the Commission of Architectural Review has to approve accessory structures in those areas.

Permit office: City of Richmond Bureau of Permits and Inspections
Address: 900 East Broad Street, Room 108, Richmond, VA
Phone: 804-646-4169
Official city page

When a permit is required

• Plan on a building permit for a carport, because Virginia's building code does not exempt carports.
• A one-story detached shed or similar building of 256 square feet or less, not Group F-1 or H, skips the building permit but still needs a Certificate of Zoning Compliance and must meet setbacks.
• The Certificate of Zoning Compliance costs $50 up to 100 square feet and $100 over that, invoiced by email after review.
• Accessory structures in historic areas also need Commission of Architectural Review approval.
• Building permit fees for one and two family homes start at a $63 base plus $6.07 per thousand above $2,000, plus a 2% state surcharge, under the schedule effective July 1, 2024.

Zoning and setbacks

Setbacks in the city's accessory structure guide run by district. Front, side and rear are 35, 10 and 10 feet in R-1, 30, 9 and 9 in R-2, 25, 7.5 and 7.5 in R-3, 25, 6 and 6 in R-4, and 25, 5 and 5 in R-5. Maximum lot coverage runs from 20% in R-1 to 35% in R-5. In R-8, accessory buildings must be in the rear yard and at least 5 feet from the rear line. Accessory buildings top out at 20 feet in residential districts and cannot exceed the main building's footprint. Some setbacks depend on lot shape or platting date, so confirm with Zoning at 804-646-6340.

What to bring

• A site plan showing the structure's location and distance to property lines
• An Owner Affidavit, for a Certificate of Zoning Compliance
• The owner's name exactly as the City Assessor lists it
• The structure's description and square footage
• Construction documents such as floor, framing and foundation plans, which the city says most building permit projects require

Farm buildings

Virginia law exempts farm buildings from the building code unless they are used as a restaurant, with flood plain and mudslide rules still in force. The city's permit guides do not describe a farm procedure, so ask the Bureau of Permits and Inspections if you believe it applies to your property.

Good to know

A Certificate of Zoning Compliance usually takes about 10 business days from payment, and no fee is due when you submit. Windows and doors are not allowed within 3 feet of the property line, eaves and gutters cannot cross it, and fire-rating rules apply near it. The Online Permit Portal handles applications and inspection scheduling, and the fee schedule is posted. This page covers the city only, since Richmond County is a separate locality.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Richmond?
Plan on a building permit through the Online Permit Portal, since state code does not exempt carports. If your property is in a historic area, Commission of Architectural Review approval comes on top of that.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Richmond?
A garage, plan on a building permit. A one-story detached shed of 256 square feet or less avoids the building permit, but it still needs a Certificate of Zoning Compliance, at $50 up to 100 square feet or $100 above that.

How tall can an accessory building be in the City of Richmond?
The maximum is 20 feet in residential districts, measured to the midpoint of a pitched roof. In certain districts, a building up to 12 feet tall may sit at the rear and side property lines if it is within 30 feet of the rear line, so ask Zoning whether yours qualifies.

Sources

• City of Richmond: How to apply for an Accessory Structure Permit
• City of Richmond: Permits and Inspections
• City of Richmond: Homeowner's Permit Process Guide
• City of Richmond: Fee Schedule
• City of Richmond: Online Permit Portal

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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