Richmond County

Richmond County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

In unincorporated Richmond County, a metal carport or garage needs zoning approval and a building permit, and the county's fee schedule bills detached accessory buildings at $0.15 per square foot with a $100 minimum. The Richmond County Zoning Ordinance says no building may be put up until a Certificate of Zoning Compliance (the zoning permit) is issued, and it limits accessory buildings to 20 feet in height with 10-foot side and rear setbacks. If your land is inside Hamlet, Ellerbe, Hoffman, Norman or Dobbins Heights, get zoning approval from that town first. A Richmond County carport permit starts with zoning, then goes to building inspections.

Permit office: Richmond County Central Permitting and Inspections
Official county page

When a permit is required

Zoning approval (a Certificate of Zoning Compliance) is needed before any building is erected, altered or moved.
A building permit from Central Permitting and Inspections, priced under "Detached Accessory Buildings" at $0.15 per square foot, minimum $100 (schedule effective July 1, 2026).
Septic or well approval, or proof of sewer or water, is on the county's building permit checklist.
Projects of $40,000 or more also need a lien agent, a workers' comp affidavit with a certificate of insurance, and an owner exemption affidavit if it applies.

Zoning and setbacks

Section 4.12 of the Richmond County Zoning Ordinance sets the rules for accessory buildings: at least 10 feet from side and rear lot lines, at least 10 feet from the house, and no taller than 20 feet (mean roof height). Lots under 20,000 square feet get one accessory building; bigger lots get one more for each extra 20,000 square feet, spaced at least 30 feet apart. Total accessory footprint can't exceed the size of the main building without special use approval, and accessory use can't cover more than 25% of the rear yard. The ordinance also includes a Flood Plain Overlay and a Water Supply Watershed Overlay, and a site plan in a watershed has to show built-upon area in square feet and as a percent of the lot.

What to bring

A zoning permit application, filed through the county's zoning portal or on the printable form. If the lot has no address yet, write "to be determined" plus the road name.
A plan or drawing of the building (all pages). Check with the Building Inspector on whether one is required.
Septic or well approval from Environmental Health, or proof of sewer or water.
A completed building permit application, filed through the building permit portal.
For jobs of $40,000 or more: lien agent, workers' comp affidavit with certificate of insurance, and owner exemption affidavit if it applies.

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. Richmond County's Zoning Ordinance (Section 1.5) also says it doesn't apply to bona fide farms or to farm buildings owned with and located on the farm. It lists four kinds of proof: a farm sales tax exemption certificate, present-use value tax listing, a Schedule F, or a forest management plan. Electrical work in a farm building still needs an electrical permit and inspection.

Good to know

Central Permitting and Inspections is open Monday through Thursday 8 am to 5 pm and Friday 8 am to 2 pm. Zoning applications can be emailed or dropped off at the Central Permitting Office, and approvals come back electronically. Planning can be reached at 910-417-4904 and Code Enforcement at 910-417-4917. Building permits and zoning permits run on separate online portals, so set up both. If construction starts in a flood zone or watershed area, expect extra review under the ordinance's overlay districts.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Richmond County?
Yes. You need zoning approval first, then a building permit. The county fee schedule lists detached accessory buildings at $0.15 per square foot with a $100 minimum.

How close to the property line can I put a metal garage in Richmond County?
The county Zoning Ordinance requires at least 10 feet from side and rear lot lines and 10 feet from the house, with a 20-foot height limit. Towns like Hamlet or Ellerbe have their own zoning.

Is a farm barn exempt in Richmond County?
Bona fide farm buildings on the farm are exempt from county zoning under the ordinance and G.S. 160D-903. Have proof like a farm sales tax exemption certificate or present-use value listing. Electrical work still needs a permit.

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