Do You Need a Permit for a Metal Carport?
Thinking of adding a metal carport to your property? It’s a fantastic way to protect your vehicle from the elements and add valuable storage space. But before you break ground (or pour concrete!), there’s one crucial question to answer.
Do you need a permit for a metal carport? Yes, most of the time, you will require a permit for a metal carport. However, building requirements vary. Things like your location and the specifics of your metal carport design will play into account on whether you’ll need a permit. However, The Carport Co. is here to help you navigate the process!
All carports sold by The Carport Co. use high-quality, American-made galvanized steel.
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Understanding Local Permit Codes
Every city and county has its own building code, which outlines the regulations for constructing new structures. These codes often dictate whether a metal carport requires a permit. You should always check with your local building department before ordering a carport or other metal or steel building. Here are some factors that may influence permit requirements:
Carport Size
Generally, smaller carports (think single-car units) are less likely to require a permit than larger carports.
Permanence
Metal carports with permanent foundations typically need permits more than temporary or portable structures.
Attachments
If your metal carport connects to your existing house or garage, a permit is often mandatory.
Best Practices to Avoid Getting a Permit for Your Metal Carport
Whether you require a permit for your metal carport or not, you will still have to adhere to local building regulations. It is important to adhere to these requirements as to avoid being forced to tear your metal carport down. This can include things such as the following:
Carport Setback From Road
Distance requirements can vary greatly depending upon the township, but typically it will be something like “carport is at least 20’ from center line of road.”
Snow Load Rating
Snow load rating requirements will vary by location, with states further north requiring a higher snow load rating. If your state isn’t in the snow belt, a good figure to shoot for is 30 psf. If you’re in northern Michigan, this requirement could increase anywhere from 50 psf to 70 psf.
Carport Size
Some areas will allow structures such as carports or sheds to be installed with no permit, as long as they are not in violation of any regulations and are smaller than a certain size. Sizing allowed for a carport with no permit is generally 1,000 sqft, which would work out to a 10×10 carport. This size of carport is generally too small for most uses and vehicles, so you may be forced to get a permit if you wish to construct something larger. We wrote a separate article titled How Are Carports Measured? if you need more information on sizing.
Construction Material
Some local governments require out buildings like carports and sheds to be constructed of non-combustible materials if you’re not going to get a permit. Our carports are made of steel, so if this is a requirement your township has, you won’t need to worry with The Carport Co.
Opting for No Permit When One is Required
If you decide to have a carport or other structure installed without consulting your local government, you could be ordered to take the carport down immediately and incur fines daily until it’s been removed from the property. If this happens, you should immediately apply for a variance, but you should also continue to make arrangements to remove the structure, ask the variance could be denied. We have seen this happen to customers before.
The Carport Co. Streamlines Your Permit Process
At The Carport Co, we understand the importance of getting your metal carport project started on the right foot. That’s why we offer the following resources to help you with permits:
Free Generic Engineering Plans
Most areas accept generic carport engineering plans for steel carports. We offer these free of charge to expedite your permit application process. We have generic engineering plans for all steel carports up to 30’ wide and 12’ high.
Site Specific Engineering Plans
If your local building department requires more detailed engineering plans, we can provide them at a low cost. These engineering plans are called site-specific engineering plans, and are drawings created by a team of engineers that are tailored to your specific location, installation surface, and metal building or carport specifications.
Willingness to Assist
Many of our competitors refuse to go near the permitting process. They expect their customers to handle all of this on their own, not us. We understand it can be intimidating to begin the permitting process and have no issue assisting. If our team needs to call your local building department and help, we will have no issue doing so.
Get Help With Getting a Permit for Your Metal Carport Today
Don’t let permit concerns delay your carport project. Contact The Carport Co. today! We’ll guide you through the permitting process and provide you with the perfect carport solution for your needs.
Call us now at (317) 300-4190 or request a free consultation to get assistance with your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I install a metal carport without a permit?
If your local building department requires a permit before installing a metal or steel carport, and you choose to ignore this requirement, you could be court ordered to take the carport down, and incur fees every day the carport violates local ordinances.
We highly recommend obtaining a permit if one is required in your area.
Can I install a steel carport myself?
Yes, you can install a steel or metal carport yourself. Larger projects may require a small crew and larger equipment such as a boom lift or scissor lift, but smaller projects, like carports, are easy to complete with only 2 to 3 people.
If you are thinking of purchasing a carport kit for a self install, you may consider looking at a company like VersaTube.
How much does it cost to get a permit for a metal carport?
The cost of obtaining a permit for a metal or steel carport could cost anywhere from $60 to $800, and heavily depends on location. We advise you to call your local building department to ask how much the permit process will cost you.
How long does it take to get a permit for a metal carport?
The time it takes to get a permit for a metal or steel carport can be a few days to a few weeks. This is heavily dependent upon your local building department. We recommend calling your area’s building department to get an estimate on the time it will take to get a permit filed and approved. They will also be able to tell you if your property requires an inspection, variance, or something else required for the permitting process.
Are there building codes I need to follow for metal carports?
Yes, metal and steel carports have to meet certain building code regulations set forth by your area’s local government. Don’t worry, The Carport Co. has engineer certified carports for each area we install to, and we always double check requirements before the install is underway.
Ready to Begin Your Project?
Do you think The Carport Co. would be a good fit for you? We’d love to earn your business. Fill out the quote form, and one of our friendly representatives will be in touch with you shortly. We’re here to answer questions you may have, provide personalized recommendations, and get you an estimate on your project.
To speak with someone, call (317) 300-4190 or email [email protected].
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enhance your property with a durable, versatile, and visually appealing metal structure. Contact The Carport Co. today and experience what we can do.
Visit our 3D Builder to design your own structure!
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The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide is a collection of articles by The Carport Co. These articles have been catered to first time steel and metal carport, garage, and commercial building buyers. Our goal is to share as much information with customers as possible, to help make informed decisions, and ensure a customer doesn’t discover an addition they would have liked to added at the time of sale, but was not aware of the option’s existence.
Here is a preview of a few articles. To view the full Buyer’s Guide, please visit the Ultimate Buyer’s Guide page.
