Do I Need A Building Permit For A Shed in North Carolina?

Yes, in most cases you do need a permit to build a shed in North Carolina. Requirements vary by city, county, and HOA. This guide explains what to expect based on your location.

Before you embark on building a shed in your backyard, it’s crucial to understand that obtaining the necessary permits and adhering to local regulations is not just a formality; it’s designed to ensure safety and compliance with zoning laws. Failure to do so can result in fines, delays, or even the removal of your shed. Carolina Yard Barns can guide you through the process and in most cases can obtain the building permit for you.

The first step in the process would be to find out if you need Home Owner’s Association approval to build a shed. Many subdivisions in the Raleigh-Durham area are part of an Home Owner’s Association. The HOA sets rules and guidelines for the type, size, style, siding and color you can have on a shed. It is always best to obtain their approval prior to starting the permit process. Typically HOA approval is free but the permit process comes with fees. If you need to change the location after the permit is approved there may be additional fees. Carolina Yard Barns can help guide you through the HOA process for your shed by providing you with a detailed proposal on the size and style shed you propose to have built. After you have the HOA approval it is time to start the permit process.

Step 1: Check Local Zoning Laws & HOA Rules

Zoning Laws

The first step is to check your local zoning laws and regulations. These laws determine how land in a specific area can be used and may place restrictions on the size, location, and appearance of structures like sheds. Every county and town in Central NC has slightly different requirements. Carolina Yard Barns has experience building in most areas and is familiar with the zoning regulations throughout the region. We can guide you through what’s required for your specific zoning district.

Setbacks and Location

Determine the required setbacks for your shed—these are the minimum distances it must be from property lines, fences, septic systems, wells, and other structures. Setback requirements vary by zoning district. For example, in Johnston County, NC, a shed larger than 12′ x 12′ must be at least 10 feet from the side and rear property lines. In contrast, most sheds in Wake County, NC only need to be 5 feet from those lines. Some properties also have easements, where sheds typically cannot be built. Carolina Yard Barns has extensive knowledge of setback requirements across most zoning districts and can help you understand what’s required for your specific property.

Size and Height Restrictions

Find out if there are any limitations on the size and height of sheds allowed in your area, as these can vary significantly between jurisdictions. In most of North Carolina, a true building permit is only required when a shed exceeds 12 feet in any dimension. However, some areas, such as the City of Raleigh and the Town of Fuquay-Varina, require permits for sheds of all sizes. These permits are more like zoning permits because structural plans are not required; however, a site plan showing the proposed shed’s location must be submitted.

Design and Appearance

Some localities have specific rules about the design and appearance of sheds, including the materials used, color, and roofing type. These rules typically apply to properties located in an HOA or a historic district. For example, a home in Raleigh that is zoned as a historic district must first receive approval from the historic commission to ensure the shed meets the community’s standards. Each historic area in Raleigh and Durham has slightly different requirements.

Step 2: Prepare a Site Plan for Your Shed

In almost all of North Carolina, a site plan is required to obtain a building permit. The easiest way to provide a site plan is to have your property surveyed. Most people have a property survey done when they purchase a home. We strongly encourage anyone in the process of buying a new home to include a property survey as part of the closing. If you live in the City of Raleigh and do not have a property survey, you will need to have one completed before obtaining a building permit. Contact us for information on requirements in other areas of Durham, Johnston, and Wake Counties. Once we have a copy of your site plan, we can draw the shed to scale on it.

Step 3: Gather Required Structural Plans

Structural plans are required for sheds with any dimension exceeding 12 feet. Carolina Yard Barns provides structural plans for all of our shed models, which we submit to the permit department. If you’re in an area where we don’t handle the permit process, we will supply you with the necessary structural plans to obtain a building permit yourself. In most of the Raleigh-Durham area, we handle permit applications on behalf of our customers.

Step 4: Submit Your Permit Application

Most permit departments in the Raleigh-Durham area now use online permit portals. These portals allow us to apply for building permits and schedule required inspections. If your area has a permit portal, we can apply for the permit on your behalf and handle the scheduling of all inspections. Permit processing times typically range from 7 to 21 days, depending on your zoning and how busy the permitting department is. Once the permit is uploaded to the portal, it will display an expected review date. After we receive that date, we can schedule your construction to begin shortly afterward.

Step 5: Understand Permit Fees by Location

When you request an estimate from Carolina Yard Barns and provide your address, we will include the approximate building permit fee in your estimate. Each permit department sets its own fees. For example, a shed permit in the Town of Fuquay-Varina typically costs around $80, while in the City of Raleigh, it can be approximately $600. Most areas require payment of permit fees once the permit is approved. However, Durham and the City of Raleigh charge a plan review fee upfront, before the permit is reviewed.

Permit Requirements by County/City

*Permit fees are approximate and subject to change. Additional permits (e.g., flood certification, watercourse buffer) may be required depending on the property.

*Minimum setbacks are shown; specific properties may require greater setbacks.

Step 6: Wait for Permit Approval

Once your shed receives final approval, we can begin construction. At that point, the exact building permit fee will be known and added to your invoice. Most permits are no longer printed and are instead available for viewing in your local permit portal. However, some areas such as Johnston County and the Town of Fuquay-Varina still issue printed permits.

Step 7: Complete Shed Build & Final Inspection

After your shed is completed, you’ll need to make sure it is painted. Once it’s painted, notify Carolina Yard Barns so we can schedule the required inspections. In most areas, only one inspection is needed. However, the City of Raleigh requires multiple inspections, and we aim to complete most of them during the construction process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind with Carolina Yard Barns

Carolina Yard Barns will guide you through the process of understanding local regulations and obtaining the necessary permits for your shed. While this may seem daunting and time-consuming, it’s a crucial step in ensuring your shed is legal, safe, and compliant with local codes. If you decide to sell your home in the future, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your shed was built to code and won’t create issues during the sale.