Metal Carprt Need a building permit?

Jason W.

Jason W.

Dysfunctional Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2009
Location
nebo nc
I am having some gravel put down and putting in a metal carport, I have never heard of needing a building permit for one, anyone have any experience with this.
 
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I would think not and if you had to I'd like to see how many people you could find in Lincolnton that got a permit for theirs.:lol:
 
The question should be: do you have any neighbors that don't like you? It's there any work being done in your neighborhood that might mean an inspector would drive by during assembly? Do you sleep well at night after flaunting regulations lawfully adopted by the legislature?
 
shawn said:
The question should be: do you have any neighbors that don't like you? It's there any work being done in your neighborhood that might mean an inspector would drive by during assembly? Do you sleep well at night after flaunting regulations lawfully adopted by the legislature?
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Dont have any hatefull nieghbors or construction going on, definetly wouldnt lose sleep. I think Ill see if the carport companies even mention it.
 
They won't mention because it is on you to get the proper permits. If you want the carport to be permitable then it will cost a lot more. My county requires a permit for them but they are not actively enforcing it.
 
I just started carport shopping this weekend, and talked to a guy here in town that sells them (via carolina carports). This is in Sanford, FWIW, but we follow the same IBC. He said of the hundreds he has sold, only two people have gotten permits for them....and they both worked in the local inspections department. Nobody else gets one.

Here, the permit costs $60, but the building costs another $300 or so (no difference, except it comes with a few pieces of paper).

I may, however go for the permit.....for several reasons: (just some stuff to think about)

1) in about 3 years I will be putting the house on the market. I may leave the shelter or take it with me. If I leave it, I am sure some realtor or home inspector will look to see if permits were pulled.

2) developer is starting a major project 1 house down from me that used to be woods and pasture. City guys will be in and out a lot. Also, my neighbor (adjoining the new development) has a mess of a yard with a couple of unpermited structures -- bossman on the project told me he's going to get code enforcement to start harrassing my neighbor to clean up. I don't want any of that to affect me...I'll toe the line.

3) I am going to be building a large deck/patio this fall, that I really need to get a permit for...so the inspector will be right there, 30' from the new carport on a new slab.

4) it is going to be on a slab, so that maybe crosses the line of it being a "temporary/portable" carport.

FWIW, YMMV, ETC
 
Rule of thumb, anything over 12 feet in any direction in most likely needs a building permit. If you live in a zoned area of any jurisdiction, you probably need a zoning permit too.

If you are ever pouring a permanent pad, or placing anything permanently into the ground and have a septic system on your property, you almost always have to see your environmental health department as well.
 
It does cost more money, but the fine is usually 2x the cost of the permit. And then, if it dosent meet code, they can make you take it down. IMO it is worth it to do it right.
 
I double checked my notes from today.....getting the "certified" costs $250 more....BUT, it includes the extra bracing...that I was going to add (cause I'll have 10' posts), and that added $120 alone....so technically, the certified shelter only costs me an extra $130 -- plus $60 for the permit.
 
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