Union County

Union County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Union County Building Code Enforcement issues building permits in every part of the county except Monroe and Waxhaw, so a metal carport or garage almost anywhere else in the county goes through them. North Carolina law can exempt an accessory building with no side over 12 feet from a building permit, but most carports and garages are bigger than that. For land outside a town, or in Hemby Bridge, the county also handles zoning, and the zoning portion of the permit costs $40. Anyone asking about a Union County carport permit can apply through the county's Online Plan Review and Permitting Service.

Permit office: Union County Building Code Enforcement
Address: 500 North Main Street, Ground Floor, Monroe, NC 28112
Phone: 704-283-3816
Official county page

When a permit is required

Carports and garages: Outside Monroe and Waxhaw, building permits come from Union County Building Code Enforcement. A carport or garage with any side over 12 feet will generally need one.
Small sheds: N.C. G.S. 160D-1110 can exempt an accessory building with no dimension over 12 feet from a building permit. Zoning rules still apply, so check with Planning.
Electrical, plumbing and HVAC: The county says adding or changing plumbing, heating, air conditioning or electrical wiring requires a permit.
Zoning review: For property outside a municipality or in Hemby Bridge, the county handles land development, and the zoning portion of the permit is $40.
Inside Monroe or Waxhaw: Those two towns issue their own building permits, so contact the town instead of the county.

Zoning and setbacks

The county's Unified Development Ordinance is its zoning ordinance, and the county applies it to property outside a municipality and in Hemby Bridge. The zoning portion of the permit costs $40, and the county suggests checking your property on its GoMAPS viewer to see which rules apply. Union County does not post accessory building setbacks on its permit pages, so we have not listed numbers here. Inside other towns, the town may handle zoning even when the county issues the building permit, so call Union County Planning at 704-283-3565 to confirm who reviews your lot.

What to bring

An account on the Union County Online Plan Review and Permitting Service
A site plan showing the building's location on the lot
Building size and drawings or manufacturer plans
Contractor information for any electrical or other trade work

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. Union County does not post a separate farm exemption form online, so ask Building Code Enforcement what proof of farm use they accept. Electrical wiring in a farm building is still worth raising with the office, since the county lists new wiring as work that needs a permit.

Good to know

Applications and inspection requests go through the county's Online Plan Review and Permitting Service, also called Evolve, and the county asks people not to create duplicate accounts. Inspection requests are usually completed the day they are made, and the current fee schedule took effect August 1, 2025. Since July 1, 2025, the office no longer accepts MEG tests or engineer reports in place of an electrical inspection for concealed wiring, so do not close up walls before your inspection. You can also reach the office at ucinspections@unioncountync.gov.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Union County?
Usually yes if any side is over 12 feet. Outside Monroe and Waxhaw, Union County Building Code Enforcement issues the permit, and the county handles zoning for unincorporated land and Hemby Bridge.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Union County?
A garage with any side over 12 feet generally needs a building permit, and electrical wiring needs a permit too. Small sheds can be exempt under state law, but zoning still applies.

I live in Monroe or Waxhaw. Does the county issue my permit?
No. Union County says its building permit authority covers the whole county except Monroe and Waxhaw, so contact your town.

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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