Washington County

Washington County, NC Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Outside town limits in Washington County, the county zoning ordinance says a building permit is required before any building construction starts, and that includes putting up a metal garage or a larger carport. If you're looking into a Washington County carport permit, the office to call is Washington County Planning and Inspections at 116 Adams St in Plymouth. The county zoning ordinance lists detached carports and garages as allowed accessory uses in its R-A rural residential district, so the question is usually where the building goes on the lot, not whether you can have one. North Carolina law can exempt a very small accessory building, one with no side longer than 12 feet, from the building permit, but zoning placement rules still apply.

Permit office: Washington County Planning and Inspections
Address: 116 Adams St, Plymouth, NC 27962
Phone: 252-793-4114
Official county page

When a permit is required

Metal garages and enclosed shops: Article II, Section K of the county zoning ordinance says a building permit is required before erecting, enlarging, converting or relocating a building or structure, and work has to match the approved plans.
Carports: Detached carports are named as accessory uses in the R-A district. Plan on a building permit unless the carport is small enough for the state exemption below, and ask the office before you order.
Small buildings, 12 feet or less: N.C. G.S. 160D-1110 can exempt an accessory building with no dimension over 12 feet from a building permit. It still has to sit in the right spot under the zoning ordinance.
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical: The office enforces the North Carolina building, plumbing and mechanical codes and the National Electrical Code, so wiring a garage or shop is inspected separately from the shell.
Using the building: Article II, Section L of the zoning ordinance calls for a certificate of use and occupancy, which also certifies the project meets zoning.

Zoning and setbacks

Washington County's zoning ordinance covers the county outside the towns and their extraterritorial areas (Article I, Section F). Under Article II, Section S, accessory structures belong in the rear yard and may cover no more than 20 percent of it (S.3), are not allowed in the front yard except flagpoles, fences and walls (S.4), and can't sit in a recorded easement, alley or required fire lane (S.6). Section S.11 says accessory setbacks follow the district rules. In the R-A Rural Areas Single Family Residential District, the yard requirements are 35 feet front, 15 feet side and 10 feet rear. You can read the full text in the county Zoning Ordinance.

What to bring

Plans and specifications for the building, which Article II, Section K requires with the application
A site plan showing the building in the rear yard with distances to each property line
Building size and use (carport, garage, shop or storage)
Your parcel's flood zone status from the state flood risk map

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. Under that statute, a farm sales tax exemption certificate, a present-use value tax listing, a Schedule F or a forest management plan counts as proof of farm use. Washington County's zoning ordinance also says it does not apply to bona fide farms outside town limits, but any non-farm use on that same property is still covered (Article II, Section D). The county does not post a farm exemption form online, so call Planning and Inspections to ask what proof it accepts, and plan on an electrical permit if you're running power to the building.

Good to know

Washington County takes permit applications through its online Permit Portal, and the Planning and Inspections page links a FY27 Fee Schedule for current charges. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. The county keeps a Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance approved by the commissioners in January 2025, and the Planning and Inspections page links the state's flood risk map so you can check your parcel before you pick a site. If the building lands in a flood zone, expect extra steps before a permit is issued.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Washington County?
In most cases, yes. The county zoning ordinance requires a building permit before construction, and detached carports are listed as accessory uses in the R-A district. A carport with no side over 12 feet can be exempt from the building permit under state law, but it still has to meet the rear yard and setback rules.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Washington County?
A metal garage needs a building permit from Washington County Planning and Inspections, and any wiring is inspected too. A small shed with no side over 12 feet can be exempt from the building permit, but it still goes in the rear yard and follows the district setbacks.

How far from the property line does an accessory building have to be in Washington County?
In the R-A district, the ordinance sets yards of 35 feet front, 15 feet side and 10 feet rear, and accessory buildings go in the rear yard. Other districts have their own numbers, so check your parcel's zoning with the office.

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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