Washington County

Washington County, VA Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Yes, expect a Washington County carport permit, because the county says a Zoning Permit must be obtained before any building or structure is started, enlarged or altered. Its residential building permit form also has its own line for a carport and for a detached garage. The zoning and building offices share the Government Center Building in Abingdon, so you can sort out both in one trip. If your land is inside one of the towns with its own zoning ordinance, the county's zoning rules do not apply and the town handles that step.

Permit office: Washington County Department of Building & Development Services
Address: Government Center Building, 1 Government Center Place, Suite A, Abingdon, VA 24210
Phone: 276-525-1340
Official county page

When a permit is required

A Zoning Permit before any building or structure is started, reconstructed, enlarged or altered.
A written building permit application before constructing, enlarging, altering or changing the use of a structure.
A land-disturbing permit and erosion and sediment control plan if more than 10,000 square feet will be disturbed. Residential projects may use an agreement in lieu of a plan.
A Virginia contractor's license, or the Section 54.1-1111 affidavit if you act as your own contractor.

Zoning and setbacks

The Department of Zoning Administration, reachable at 276-525-1391, runs the Zoning Permit process from the same building as the permit office. Its pages do not list setback numbers, so ask for the figures for your parcel's district in Chapter 66 of the county code before you pick a spot. The residential form records parcel zoning, whether the parcel is in the air safety district and whether it is in the FH district. It also charges a zoning compliance fee.

What to bring

A site plan showing the proposed location and the distances to adjoining property lines.
Two hard copies of construction plans, or electronic submission arranged with the Permit Technicians.
A landcard from County GIS as proof of ownership, obtained when you apply.
Your most recent county tax ticket for the parcel, listed for new construction.
Septic, well and VDOT entrance paperwork where the county's new construction list calls for it. Ask if a building with no water or sewer needs them.

Farm buildings

State law exempts farm buildings from the building code, unless the building is used as a restaurant, and flood plain and mudslide rules keep applying either way. The county's building page does not describe a procedure for the structure itself, so ask the office what to file. It does publish an Agricultural Electrical Application: you certify the service is for agricultural use only, not residential or a restaurant, and it is signed by the Zoning Official and Building Official. A later change of use brings the building under the state code, with no Certificate of Occupancy until the Building Official verifies it.

Good to know

The county's fee schedule, effective June 1, 2016, starts at $25 for valuations from $0.01 to $1,000 and adds a 2 percent DHCD levy to every permit. Ask for your total, since the zoning compliance fee is a separate line on the form. Building office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 to 5, and zoning opens at 8:30. Questions can also go to buildhelp@washcova.com. One caution for anyone with an old mobile home in mind: the county does not allow manufactured homes to serve as storage or accessory buildings.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Washington County?
Yes, plan on the Zoning Permit at minimum, since the county applies it to any structure. Whether a building permit is also needed can depend on size and attachment, because state code exempts some detached one-story structures of 256 square feet or less. The Building Official's office can tell you at 276-525-1340.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Washington County?
A metal garage goes on the Residential Permit Application as a detached garage, along with a site plan and construction plans. Sheds fall under the form's gazebo and storage category. A small one may qualify for the state exemption from the building permit, but it still needs zoning review under the county's wording.

Sources

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

See the full Virginia 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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