Do I Need a Permit to Build a Carport?
There is a lot to love about adding a carport to your property. Metal carports are easy to customize, quick to construct, and require very little maintenance. For someone who wants reliable performance without investing too much time or effort, a steel carport is perfect.
With that said, all projects come with some requirements. One hindering question is, “Do I need a permit to build a carport?” Permitting is something that you will need to think about when considering a carport project, so we’d like to take a quick look at that topic in this post.
When you are ready to get started with the project and create your ideal carport design, try our Build & Price tool. For assistance, just contact us and a member of our team will be glad to help.
Permit Requirements Vary by Location
The way permitting rules apply to carports are going to depend on where you live and what type of property you own. In cities, it’s likely that you will need a permit before you build a carport, although that may not be true in every location. In rural areas, permitting rules are often less strict, but a permit may still be required.
It’s best to reach out to a local government agency as soon as you are even thinking of building a carport. Addressing permit needs is just another one of the steps that need to be completed in the early stages to pave the way for a successful project. Whether you need a permit or you don’t, it’s good to have this information in hand as soon as possible.
Who Should I Call?
Again, the name of the department in charge of permits in your area will vary from place to place. A good way to start is to visit the website of your city or county. There should be information on the site regarding the permitting process and who is in charge of these matters. Even if you can’t find an answer to the specific issue of carport permitting, you should be able to get some contact information and you can proceed from there. If you aren’t having any luck, feel free to contact American Carports, Inc. for help.
A Waiting Game
Getting a permit isn’t a big deal, and in most places, it is just a matter of filling out the appropriate paperwork and paying a small fee. However, the issue that many people run into with permits is time. If you don’t start thinking about permits right away, you may get to a point where you are ready to build but the permits have not yet been approved. This process can take some time, so it’s best to get started as soon as possible. Put this task at the top of your to-do list for this project so you can start the clock on your permit approval right away.
Can’t I Just Skip It? Will Anyone Notice?
For something like a carport, you might be tempted to just skip the permitting process and build the structure anyway. We would recommend against taking this approach for the following reasons –
- It’s pretty easy. Despite the reputation that the permitting process has in some circles, it’s actually pretty simple in most cases. As long as you get started right away and follow the directions, you shouldn’t have any trouble.
- It’s useful. Believe it or not, the permitting process is there to perform an important function! If an issue comes up with your permit application, it might be for a good reason. You can avoid making a costly mistake if you learn something from the permit application process that you wouldn’t have learned otherwise.
- Peace of mind. You don’t want to get a brand-new carport in place only to have an issue arise with your local government that requires it to come back down. Get your documentation in order at the start and look forward to many years of reliable carport performance.
A carport permit is something that sounds like more of a hassle than it is likely to be in reality. Once you get started, you should be able to get help from your local government agency to work through the process with ease.
Do Your Homework
In the end, permitting requirements are going to vary from place to place, so you’ll need to do a little homework regarding the rules in your area. Even if you do need a permit to build a carport, applying for that approval should be relatively quick and easy. With a permit in hand – or with the knowledge that you don’t need one – you can move forward with your carport construction project. American Carports, Inc. is excited to serve you!
Customize Your Carport
If you decide to build a new steel structure on your property, make sure to plan ahead and see if you may need a permit to build your carport. Thanks to the easy customization process here at American Steel Carports, Inc., you can design a carport, garage, or shed to perfectly meet your needs and fit your property. Let’s get started today!
