Sampson County

Sampson County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

In Sampson County, a carport, garage or shed starts with a zoning permit, and the county's building permit FAQ says a residential accessory structure with no dimension over 12 feet is exempt from the building permit. Anything bigger goes to Sampson County Building Inspection for a building permit once zoning has signed off. Outside the towns, Sampson County Planning and Zoning handles the zoning step, while inside any of the county's nine towns you check with that town's zoning office first. Getting a Sampson County carport permit lined up before delivery mostly means having a good site plan, because the county now asks for a scaled drawing on most projects. The rules below come from the county's own zoning ordinance and permit forms.

Permit office: Sampson County Building Inspection
Phone: 910-592-0146
Official county page

When a permit is required

Zoning approval comes first: The county's permitting procedures put zoning approval ahead of everything else. In unincorporated areas that means a Residential Zoning Permit from Sampson County Planning and Zoning, and the form has a box for accessory structures where you list the use and dimensions.
Small accessory structures: The Building Inspection FAQ says residential accessory structures where no dimension exceeds 12 feet do not need a building permit. Zoning rules such as setbacks and the three-building limit still apply.
Larger carports, garages and barns: When any dimension is over 12 feet, you need a building permit from Building Inspection, and the county asks for copies of your zoning approval with the application.
Electrical work: An electrical permit is required for any wiring, lights or outlets you add. A homeowner who owns the land and will occupy the structure may do their own electrical work, per the county FAQ.
Floodplain lots: If the property is in a designated floodplain, the county requires an Elevation Certificate before final approval.

Zoning and setbacks

Section 1209 of the Sampson County Zoning Ordinance sets the accessory structure rules. A parcel can have no more than three detached residential accessory structures, not counting a well or pump house of 50 square feet or less. They must sit at least 10 feet from side and rear property lines and 5 feet from other structures, and can't be taller than the district's height limit. On lots under 2 acres they go in the side or rear yard, though a carport may sit in the front yard if it meets the setbacks for the house. They can't be placed over a septic system or repair area or inside a recorded easement, and you generally need a house on the parcel first, unless the land is zoned RA and is 5 acres or more.

What to bring

A completed Residential Zoning Permit Application with the building's use and dimensions
A scaled site plan showing property lines, existing and proposed structures, and setbacks to every property line
The zoning district and its required setbacks noted on the site plan
An Owner Consent form if the applicant is not the property owner
For a building permit, a copy of the zoning approval and plans for the structure

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. Sampson County's building permit FAQ says farm buildings outside any town's jurisdiction are exempt. For zoning, the county uses a Bona Fide Farm Exemption Application and asks for one piece of proof: a farm sales tax exemption certificate, a present-use value tax listing, your latest Schedule F, or a forest management plan if forestry is the main activity. If Planning and Zoning approves it, the county issues a certificate for that specific structure. Electrical work in a farm building still needs an electrical permit.

Good to know

Sampson County runs permits through its Development Services Portal, which covers Building Inspection, Planning and Zoning and Environmental Health in one place. The current residential zoning permit form lists a $50 fee for a standard permit and $150 for one with a special requirement. Starting August 1, 2026, that form says most projects need a scaled site plan, and the county notes a surveyed plan from a licensed surveyor or engineer may be required in some cases. Building Inspection also does inspections under contract for eight of the towns, Clinton included, so you may deal with the county inspector even inside town limits. Planning and Zoning can be reached at 910-631-1039.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Sampson County?
You need zoning approval first. If no side of the carport is over 12 feet, the county FAQ says it is exempt from a building permit, but anything larger needs one from Building Inspection. On lots under 2 acres a carport can sit in the front yard only if it meets the house setbacks.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Sampson County?
Yes for the zoning permit, and a building permit too once any dimension is over 12 feet. Keep it at least 10 feet from side and rear lines, and remember the three-building limit per parcel.

Can I put a metal building on land with no house in Sampson County?
Generally no. The zoning ordinance only allows a residential accessory structure without a house when the parcel is zoned RA and is 5 acres or more. A bona fide farm can apply for the farm exemption instead.

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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