A carport is a great investment that provides protective shelter for your vehicles and greater peace of mind for you. But you might be wondering: Do you need a permit for a carport installation on your property? If so, that’s a great question—and this guide is here to help you get answers.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding the importance of building permits for carports and how to quickly find out if you need one.
- Determining whether or not you’ll need a carport building permit due to size limitations and structure permanence.
- Knowing the potential risks of building a carport without proper authorization.
- Learning the steps to obtaining a carport permit to build or install a carport on your property.
Please note: This guide provides general information only. Each state, county, town, and city may have unique building permit requirements, so you will need to check the exact requirements in your location.
Purpose of Carport Permits
In many areas, installing a carport is considered a construction project that requires a building permit. Building permits are official documents issued by local government authorities that will confirm if your carport meets regulatory safety standards, setback requirements, height restrictions, and other laws. They’re also the stamp of approval for your project.
Benefits of Having a Carport Permit
Should your local regulations require it, a building permit can help prevent potential conflicts with neighbors and homeowner’s associations. When it comes time to sell your property, potential buyers may request documentation—and you’ll have that to show.
How to Find Out If You Need a Carport Permit
Contacting your local government agency is the best way to find out if you need a building permit for a carport in your area. Different states, cities, and counties have their own rules and requirements, and they’ll be responsible for issuing permits.
Here are some tips to get a quick answer:
- Do an internet search for your city’s building and permits department or its planning and development department and contact one of those offices.
- Call your city hall or county administration office directly and ask them to connect you to the department that issues building permits.
Be prepared to talk with your local building authority about the material (wood, metal, etc.) and the size of the carport you want to build or install so they can best help you. Also, specify whether your carport will be attached to your home or a freestanding structure on your property.
How to Get a Carport Building Permit in 8 Steps
Once you’ve determined that you need a carport permit, the next step is applying for one. Keep in mind that to be granted a building permit for your carport, you will need to follow your local government’s specific building permit requirements, guidelines, and regulations.
While permitting processes vary, here are some general steps and recommendations:
Step 1: Ask about Local Building Codes
Call or visit your local building department’s office to find out the specific requirements for carports in your area. They may also have a website where you can research this information. In addition, an online code library may have building code information for your area, which you can then confirm with your local building department.
It’s critical to understand the local zoning laws, building codes, and regulations as these will dictate your carport’s size, placement, and construction standards.
Step 2: Plan and Design Your Carport
Create a design for a carport you plan to build from scratch or, if you’re buying a carport to be built or installed for you, obtain pre-made plans from the seller. Ensure that the design adheres to local building codes and suits your property layout.
Step 3: Prepare Documentation
Gather the necessary documents for your building permit application. Typically, you will need a detailed site plan showing where your carport will be located and how far it will be away from property lines and other structures. This may include architectural drawings, blueprints, or plans, and any other required documentation specified.
Step 4: Fill out the Application Form
Complete the online or printed building permit application form provided by your local building authorities. Provide accurate and detailed information about your planned carport, including its size and dimensions, materials, and intended use.
Step 5: Submit Your Application and Pay the Fees
Submit your completed application form along with the required documents to your local building department. Be sure to pay any applicable fees.
Step 6: Wait for Your Application Review
The building permits department will review your application and supporting documents to ensure that they comply with local building codes and regulations. They may request additional information or modifications to the plans.
Step 7: Receive Your Permit to Start Building
Once your application is approved and your plans meet all requirements, you will be issued a building permit to proceed with your carport’s construction.
Step 8: Construct Your Carport and Complete Inspections
Begin construction, strictly following your carport’s approved plans. Any deviation may require revisions to your permit. Your local building authorities may also conduct inspections during or after construction to verify compliance.
7 Risks and Consequences of Building a Carport without a Permit
While some people may be tempted to bypass the permitting process to save time and money, building a carport without a permit can have serious consequences. Following are nine risks you may face if you decide to build a carport without proper authorization:
- Legal consequences: You could face hefty fines and legal action for non-compliance with local building codes.
- Safety concerns: There may be structural issues that could endanger you and your property or even a neighbor’s property.
- Insurance limitations: Insurance companies may not cover carports built without permits and may deny claims arising from them.
- Property resale problems: When selling your property, not having permits for structures such as carports may deter buyers and complicate the sale process.
- Usage restrictions: You might be restricted in how you use your carport, as it may not be officially recognized for certain functions.
- Future remodeling: Any future renovations or expansions of your carport might be more complicated if prior unauthorized work was not addressed first.
- Demolition and loss of investment: If your carport is deemed illegal, you may have to dismantle and remove it entirely, resulting in a total loss of your investment plus demolition costs.
Factors to Consider before Building a Carport
You may or may not need a building permit to build or install a carport, depending on its size and type of structure. Of course, these factors will vary based on local regulations. It’s crucial to confirm with your local building authorities whether your planned carport installation is exempt from permitting or not. Here are a few factors to consider:
Lot Size
In certain areas like Alabama and Colorado, smaller carports may be exempt from permitting requirements. Other states and areas may require a permit for larger structures, depending on your lot size. Contact your local zoning and/or building department to determine the specific carport size thresholds for your lot size.
Height Restrictions
In some areas, structures that are less than a certain height don’t require a permit, so you may find you don’t need one for your carport. However, if your planned carport’s height does require you to get a permit, local regulations may impose limits. For example, if the carport is near residential properties or in a historic district, restrictions may be in place to prevent obstruction of views.
Setback Requirements
Setback requirements refer to the distance that a structure must be positioned from property lines, roads, and other structures. These requirements ensure that there is adequate space for emergency access and maintenance—and can help prevent potential conflicts with neighboring properties.
Setback requirements can influence the size limitations for building a carport without a permit. Even if a permit is not required to build your carport, you may need a variance (an exception to the normal rules) if you want to build it closer to a property boundary than is normally allowed.
Structure Permanence
Depending on whether your carport is going to be a temporary structure or a permanent one, you may or may not need a building permit for it. For example, a portable carport may not require a building permit. As always, check with your local building authority to understand how they define temporary and permanent structures.
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