Do I need a permit to add a garage?

Question

So I have a cart port. Pretty much an open Corner. Two of the walls are part of the house and the ceiling is already there. All I am missing is one sidewalk, and a garage door. If I wanted to add this then the house, will I need a permit?

Alex S. · Answer

Call the city

Jason D. · Answer

@Allen Lopez Likely yes.

You'll probably need multiple permits, because you'll probably be running electric into it (garage opener and lights).

I would guess a construction and electrical at minimum.

As other have said, get with the city, they'll let you know what you need

Dan Moore · Answer

Asking the city is like asking your doctor if you need a checkup. Or asking your mechanic if you need your tires rotated. The answer is always yes.

There is a property near me. Beautiful old farm house on 15 acres. It went up for sale and I just met the new owners. They told me multiple people tried to buy it to turn it into a wedding venue. Then they bought it and were trying to do their own thing with it. Prior to them getting it, the Local town turned them all the wedding people down. No wedding venues allowed. With about one days work, it would qualify as a farm in NC, which means it is exempt from the cities rules. Period. NC specific laws.

So to know what you have to do, you need to know the law. The city is not going to give you pass out of the kindness of their hearts. They always default to a permit.

Dan Weber · Answer

You will almost certainly need a permit. When you call the city, ask them if there are any zoning requirements around converting it to a garage that you need to adhere to.

Grant Rothenburger · Answer

@Allen Lopez That is a very localized question, like others mentioned, call your city and ask around until you get the right person/department.

Dan Maciejewski · Answer

The answer is in your city's planning dept.  They're usually super-nice and love to answer questions (not being sarcastic, they really do if you're nice to them).

I'm going to guess that, technically, the answer is probably yes.  The planning department will tell you for sure.

Do I need a permit to add a garage?

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