Rhode Island

Rhode Island Permit Guide for Metal Carports, Garages and Barns

Almost any carport or garage in Rhode Island needs a building permit, because the one statewide code exempts only sheds up to 64 square feet. The rules for a carport, garage or barn are the same in Westerly as they are in Woonsocket. What changes from town to town is the office you deal with and the local zoning. Plan on talking to your city or town building official before you order.

Building code in effect

Rhode Island builds to the Rhode Island State Building Code, which is a set of state regulations based on the 2021 International Codes. Homes and their accessory buildings fall under SBC-2, the One and Two Family Dwelling Code (2021 IRC with Rhode Island amendments). Commercial and larger buildings fall under SBC-1, the Rhode Island Building Code (2021 IBC). The current versions of both rules took effect December 1, 2025. Electrical work follows the 2023 National Electrical Code (SBC-5), and the energy code is the 2024 IECC (SBC-8).

Who issues permits

Permits are issued by the building official in your city or town. There is no county permit office anywhere in Rhode Island, because the counties have no government of their own. The state Building Code Commission writes the code, but your local building department reviews plans, issues the permit and does the inspections. Zoning is a separate local review. Setbacks, lot coverage and rules for accessory buildings come from your town's zoning ordinance, so check both before you pick a size and spot.

County permit guides

When you need a permit

Small sheds: Under the Rhode Island amendment to IRC R105.2, a one-story detached accessory structure is exempt from a building permit only if the floor area is 64 square feet or less. That is about an 8 by 8 shed.
Carports and garages: Any carport or garage over 64 square feet needs a building permit from your city or town. A one-car carport is already well past that size.
Electrical work: Lights, outlets or a subpanel in the building need an electrical permit under the state electrical code (2023 NEC), even when the structure itself is small.
Commercial and farm buildings: Buildings that are not accessory to a one or two family home are reviewed under SBC-1 (2021 IBC). Ask your building official which code your project falls under.

Farm buildings

Rhode Island's building code has no general permit exemption for farm buildings. A barn, equipment shed or hay cover on a farm goes through the same local permit process as any other building. The one carve-out in state law is for temporary greenhouses. Under R.I. Gen. Laws 23-27.3-109.1.3.5, a plastic-covered greenhouse with no permanent continuous foundation, used to grow horticultural crops, is treated as a temporary structure and is exempt from property tax. A metal barn on a foundation does not fit that definition. Electrical work in any farm building still needs an electrical permit.

Wind and snow

Rhode Island is a small coastal state, and much of it sits close to Narragansett Bay or the ocean. Hurricanes and strong nor'easters are the main concern, and design wind speeds are higher near the shore and on Block Island than in the northwest corner of the state. Winter snow loads also matter, especially in the higher ground around Foster, Glocester and Burrillville. Ask your local building office for the design wind speed and ground snow load for your address before you order. Our partnered manufacturers offer certified buildings rated for 140 MPH wind and 35 PSF snow load, and higher ratings can be quoted where required.

Before you order

Assume you need a permit. The shed exemption is only 64 square feet, much smaller than in most states.
Call your city or town building department, not the county. Rhode Island counties do not issue permits.
Check your town's zoning for accessory building setbacks and size limits, and whether your lot is in a flood zone or near the coast.
Ask for the design wind speed and ground snow load for your address so the building is ordered with the right ratings.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Rhode Island?
Almost always, yes. Rhode Island's amended IRC R105.2 only exempts one-story detached accessory structures up to 64 square feet. Any carport big enough for a vehicle is over that, so get a building permit from your city or town building official.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage in Rhode Island?
Yes. A metal garage is well over the 64 square foot exemption, so it needs a building permit under the Rhode Island One and Two Family Dwelling Code (2021 IRC based). Your town will also check zoning, and any wiring needs an electrical permit.

Are farm buildings exempt?
Not in general. Rhode Island's building code has no blanket farm building exemption, so barns and equipment sheds need a local permit. State law does treat plastic-covered temporary greenhouses without a permanent foundation as temporary structures (R.I. Gen. Laws 23-27.3-109.1.3.5).

Sources

Permit rules change. Always confirm with your local permit office before you build.

Looking at buildings? See our metal carports, metal garages and metal buildings.

Ready to design your building?

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.

Design Your Building in 3D