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Sullivan County

Sullivan County, NH Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

New Hampshire

If you are asking whether you need a Sullivan County carport permit, the answer starts with your city or town, because Sullivan County does not issue building permits. In Claremont, most building work needs a building permit from the city, which takes applications through its OpenGov permit portal. Claremont lists one-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet for one and two family homes as exempt from the building permit, so most carports and garages will be over that line. In Newport, projects go through the Planning, Zoning & Permits office on a combined Building/Sign/Zoning Permit Application. Zoning setbacks apply either way, so check with your town before you order.


Permit office: Sullivan County has no county building department, so these city and town offices are where Sullivan County building permits actually come from.


When a permit is required

  • Claremont: the city's When Do I Need a Permit? page says most building, renovation and demolition work requires a permit from the building official before work starts.
  • Claremont exemption: one-story detached accessory structures are exempt up to 200 square feet for one and two family residential use (the page lists 120 square feet for other uses). The city notes that an exemption does not authorize work that breaks the code or local rules.
  • Claremont zoning: some projects need a zoning permit or other approvals, such as Historic District Commission approval, on top of the building permit.
  • Newport: new structures are applied for on the town's Building/Sign/Zoning Permit Application, which asks for front, side and rear distances to property lines.
  • New Hampshire rule: the state building code exempts a one-story detached accessory building of 200 square feet or less from a building permit, but towns may set tighter rules and zoning still applies to every size.


Zoning and setbacks

Setbacks are set by each town's zoning ordinance, not by the county. Newport's permit application requires a plot plan for any new structure showing the distance to every property line, so measure your front, side and rear clearances before you apply. In Claremont, the Planning and Development office handles zoning along with building permits, and the city links its municipal code for district rules. Call the office for your district's numbers before you pick a spot for the building.


What to bring

  • A plot plan showing the building and its distance to all property lines (Newport requires this for new structures).
  • A full set of plans: Newport's application asks for a plot plan, floor plan, foundation plan and sectional plan.
  • The building's dimensions and an estimated project cost, which both towns' permit forms use.
  • For Claremont, an account on the city's OpenGov portal, where the Building Permit Application is filed and paid.


Farm buildings

A barn or equipment shelter on a Sullivan County farm still falls under the New Hampshire building code, which has no blanket exemption for farm buildings; the state adopted IBC Appendix C for Group U agricultural buildings. On the zoning side, RSA 674:32-a allows agriculture where a town's zoning says nothing about it, and RSA 674:32-c lets the local board waive setbacks or dimensional rules that are unreasonable for farm use. Bring that up with Claremont or Newport early if your farm building is tight to a lot line.


Good to know

Claremont's Planning and Development office is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, and the city says it will never ask for permit payment by phone or email; payments go through OpenGov or the office. Building questions there can also go to the Building Department at 603-542-7026. Newport's permit window has limited hours: Monday and Wednesday 8 am to 12 pm, Tuesday and Thursday 1 pm to 5 pm. A Newport permit is valid for one year, the yellow permit card must be posted where it can be seen during construction, and you need to call the building inspector at least 48 hours ahead to schedule inspections.


Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Sullivan County?
Usually yes, and it comes from your city or town, not Sullivan County. Claremont requires a building permit for most work and only exempts one-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet on one and two family lots. Newport takes new structures on its Building/Sign/Zoning Permit Application.


Does a metal garage need a building permit in Claremont?
A metal garage of any normal size is over Claremont's 200 square foot exemption, so plan on a Building Permit Application through the city's OpenGov portal. Some projects also need a zoning permit or Historic District Commission approval.


What does Newport want with a permit application?
Newport asks for a plot plan showing the distance to all property lines for any new structure, plus floor, foundation and sectional plans. Once issued, the permit is good for one year and inspections need 48 hours notice.


Sources


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


See the full New Hampshire 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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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.

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