Building Code for Shed in NC

[bad_idea]

First, let me say I have already emailed the Building Inspector asking this. BUT, it's Saturday and I'm bored, looking for info. I have been unable to find any pertinent info on the inter webs. Looking for the experience of other North Carolinians. I'm a transplant from VA, take it easy on me.

I have purchased a home in Pasquotank County. I have a 8x16 shed on skids I plan to drag to the new house. According to the county website, any detached accessory building with a wall longer than 12' requires a permit. Does any one know what the requirements are? I overbuilt the shed myself, so I am not concerned about structural concerns. More concerned about foundation requirements? Anchors? ETC.

Any idea how long the permit process will take? Rough cost of permit? Thanks all.

 

[MushCreek]

I doubt the rules are very stringent on a shed, but you never know. Unless someone here lives in your county, and has experience with building there, you won't really know the answer until the building dept responds. Every state, county, and town has different rules, and different levels of enforcement.

There are some parts of the country where permits are very expensive, and take months to get. Where I'm living in SC, I filled out one sheet and had a permit for an entire house in 15 minutes.

 

[yeldogt]

In my area -- anything over 10x12 is now called a building and requires a permit and some way to anchor it to the ground (foundation).

The placement area is more lenient with a shed

 

[junkman104]

It's county by county, I didn't have to have a permit for a 30x50 pole barn but they did want a copy of engineered plans.

 

[bad_idea]

Dammit! I should have moved to Murphy, would be a long drive to work though. I'm in Va Beach now, and didn't need a permit for this 8x16 shed. Now I'm in BFE (comparatively) and they want a permit for it.

 

[MikeF2316]

Not that this helps you much, but around there the maximum unpermited size is 10 sq. meters (about 108 sq ft.) You can't have more than 2 outbuildings (a detached garage counts as one). Sheds can't have power or running water. either. A garage can. But you can only have one detached garage. But I believe you can have as many gazebos as you can fit - the people behind me have 2 and my neighbour has 3!

 

[lakeroadster]

It's county by county, I didn't have to have a permit for a 30x50 pole barn but they did want a copy of engineered plans.

Dammit! I should have moved to Murphy, would be a long drive to work though. I'm in Va Beach now, and didn't need a permit for this 8x16 shed. Now I'm in BFE (comparatively) and they want a permit for it.

If by "Engineered Plans" they mean "PE Stamped Plans" that's likely an expensive venture for your home made shed.

 

[sqznby]

First, let me say I have already emailed the Building Inspector asking this. BUT, it's Saturday and I'm bored, looking for info. I have been unable to find any pertinent info on the inter webs. Looking for the experience of other North Carolinians. I'm a transplant from VA, take it easy on me.

I have purchased a home in Pasquotank County. I have a 8x16 shed on skids I plan to drag to the new house. According to the county website, any detached accessory building with a wall longer than 12' requires a permit. Does any one know what the requirements are? I overbuilt the shed myself, so I am not concerned about structural concerns. More concerned about foundation requirements? Anchors? ETC.

Any idea how long the permit process will take? Rough cost of permit? Thanks all.

Transplant, haha. The only people you have to worry about getting hassled from are North Carolinians when it comes to being a transplant. You're only coming from VA so I wouldn't worry about anyone hassling you here.

Talking about transplants, we are from Boston MA and moved to Cary, NC (Central Area for Relocated Yankees). Wake County, pretty strict for just about any kind of permitted work. We ended up getting in touch with a local shed company. They told us we could get a shed as big as 16' x 12' without a permit. So, that's what we got.

That was several years ago, we are now in Carteret County and are looking to have a garage built. I just got my application for my garage build. Time lines for permits are pretty quick as long as you have all necessary info in order.

Turnaround time for permits are pretty quick and its based on square footage +. For my garage build, its going to be $50 + .14 per sq ft. Not bad. Electrical will be $50 + .09 per sg ft
They also want a drawing. Nothing special, could be on a napkin. As long as it has location of where the building will be, size and square footage.

 

[ard]

Don't ask, don't tell.

If I was going to undertake construction, fittings, etc, etc, then I'd get a permit. But plopping a unit onto the ground, such that it COULD be re-inspected at any time- then I'd prolly profess ignorance.

Well, unless I'd already emailed the head of the department

 

[turbowoodworker]

Varies by county. Here in Chatham, I asked about permitting a shed and was told if under 100 sq ft no permit needed.
Then I asked about outside pergola, outside bbq kitchen. Electrical, no real roof. I was told I needed a permit because electric and over 100 sq ft. But that a simple drawing made by me ( no architectural plans) would suffice.

So it does vary. I'm glad I'm not in Wake County.

 

[6768rogues]

If you can't find the information online, I would wait and get information in person. If you are in potential hurricane country, it will need to be anchored. It would not be pretty if the shed is coming in your direction at 100 mph.