Tyrrell County

Tyrrell County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

A carport, garage or utility building in Tyrrell County is permitted through Tyrrell County Inspections, and the county's building permit application has its own lines for garage, carport and utility building dimensions. State law can exempt an accessory building with no side over 12 feet from a building permit, but most metal carports are larger than that. Because so much of Tyrrell County is low and close to the sounds, the permit application asks for your flood zone, base flood elevation, map number and finished floor elevation. If you are pricing out a Tyrrell County carport permit, call the county at 252-796-1371 before you order so the flood details are sorted out early.

Permit office: Tyrrell County Inspections
Address: 108 S. Water St., Columbia, NC 27925
Phone: 252-796-1371
Official county page

When a permit is required

Carports, garages and utility buildings: The county building permit application lists garage, carport and utility building dimensions as separate entries, so these are permitted on the same form as other residential work.
Small buildings: N.C. G.S. 160D-1110 can exempt an accessory building with no dimension over 12 feet from a building permit. Flood rules can still apply, so confirm with the county.
Flood zone details: The application asks for flood zone, BFE, map number and finished floor elevation, and has a line for the flood vent area required for enclosed space.
Electrical work: Wiring is permitted separately on the county's electrical application.

Zoning and setbacks

We could not find Tyrrell County's zoning or accessory setback rules posted in a form we could verify, so no setback numbers are given here. Inside the Town of Columbia, the town keeps its own building permit forms, so check with the town office if your lot is within town limits. For property near the water, North Carolina's Division of Coastal Management lists no local CAMA permit officer for Tyrrell County, and notes that permits are written by its Washington field office. Ask the county about setbacks and any CAMA questions before the building is placed.

What to bring

Completed Tyrrell County building permit application with the building's dimensions
Flood zone, base flood elevation, map number and planned finished floor elevation
Contractor information, or owner details if you are doing the work yourself
A simple site plan showing where the building will sit

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. Tyrrell County does not post a farm exemption procedure online, so ask Inspections what they need to see. Electrical work for a farm building still goes on the county's electrical application.

Good to know

The county application states that no application will be reviewed until all documentation is present, and the permit card must be posted at the job site. Every failed inspection carries a $25.00 re-inspection fee. Coastal permits for Tyrrell County are written by the Division of Coastal Management's Washington office, so waterfront lots may need a CAMA review on top of the building permit.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Tyrrell County?
Usually yes if any side is over 12 feet. The county's building permit application has a line for carport dimensions, and it asks for flood zone details.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Tyrrell County?
Garages and utility buildings go on the same county building permit application. A building with no side over 12 feet can be exempt under state law, but call to confirm flood rules for your lot.

Does my building need to meet flood rules in Tyrrell County?
If the lot is in a flood zone, likely yes. The application asks for base flood elevation, finished floor elevation and flood vent area for enclosed space.

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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