Rockingham County

Rockingham County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

In unincorporated Rockingham County, permits for carports, garages and sheds go through the county's Community Development department, which runs both Permitting and Inspections and Planning and Zoning. The county uses a single Building and Zoning Application, so zoning review and the building permit start on the same form. North Carolina law can exempt an accessory building with no dimension over 12 feet from a building permit, but zoning rules in the county's Unified Development Ordinance can still apply, so check before you order. If you are looking into a Rockingham County carport permit for land inside a town, that town may handle zoning instead.

Permit office: Rockingham County Community Development (Permitting & Inspections)
Address: 371 NC Hwy 65, Reidsville, NC 27320
Phone: 336-342-8130
Official county page

When a permit is required

Carports and garages: Larger carports and garages go through Rockingham County Community Development on the county's Building and Zoning Application.
Small sheds and carports: State law can exempt an accessory building with no dimension over 12 feet from a building permit. Zoning rules still apply, so confirm with the county.
Electrical work: Any wiring, lights or outlets added to a building need an electrical permit.

Zoning and setbacks

Rockingham County's zoning rules are in its Unified Development Ordinance, administered by the Planning and Zoning division of Community Development. Because the county combines zoning and building review on one Building and Zoning Application, plan on showing where the building will sit on your lot. We did not list setback numbers here because we could not confirm them from the county's ordinance, so ask Planning and Zoning for the setbacks that apply to your zoning district.

What to bring

A completed Rockingham County Building and Zoning Application
A site plan showing the building location and distances to property lines
The building size and manufacturer drawings for the carport or garage

Farm buildings

A building used only for a bona fide farm may be exempt from a building permit in county jurisdiction under N.C. G.S. 160D-903. Rockingham County publishes a Bona Fide Farm Application for owners who want to claim the exemption. Electrical work in a farm building still needs an electrical permit.

Good to know

Rockingham County keeps its permit forms on a Community Development Applications and Forms page, including the Building and Zoning Application and the Bona Fide Farm Application. The office is in the Rockingham County Governmental Center on NC Hwy 65 in Reidsville and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mail goes to PO Box 105 in Wentworth, and permit questions can be emailed to rcpermits@rockinghamcountync.gov.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Rockingham County?
Usually yes for anything over 12 feet on a side, through Community Development on the Building and Zoning Application. Smaller carports can be exempt from the building permit under state law, but zoning can still apply, so call the county first.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Rockingham County?
A garage will need a building permit and zoning review. A shed with no side over 12 feet can be exempt from the building permit, but the county may still need to review its location.

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.

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