- Home
- Departments
- Development Services
- Building Safety
- Building Permit Guides
- Residential Building Permit Guides
- Residential: Building a Detached Garage / Storage Building
Residential: Building a Detached Garage / Storage Building
Select an option below to find information about the permits, process and fees for building a detached garage, storage building or other detached accessory structures.
- Do I Need A Permit?
- Who Should Apply?
- Documents
- Resources
- Process
- Payment and Fees
- Typical Inspections
Do I Need A Permit?
If you are doing any of the following you will need a Residential Building Permit …
(This is not an all-inclusive list. If you have a question as to whether you need a permit please call 540-772-2065)
- Storage Buildings over 256 sq. ft. (If under 256, the same paperwork will be needed but a Zoning Permit will be issued)
- Pre-Constructed Storage Buildings (If under 256, the same paperwork will be needed but a Zoning Permit will be issued)
- Garages or Addition to Existing Garages
- Pre-Constructed Garages
- Carports
- Pre-Constructed Carports (This would include the metal covers)
- Gazebos
Who Applies for the Permit?
- Applying for a permit as a homeowner is an important decision because the permit holder(s) bears the ultimate responsibility that the work will comply with the code.
- The homeowner is highly encouraged to have a licensed contractor apply for the permits, however, the homeowner may do so.
Documents for Your Project
- Residential Application
- Owner Affidavit - Complete if you are an owner, doing work to your primary residence. This must be notarized or signed in front of a Permit Tech in the Building Department
- Sub-Contractor List - Complete if adding electrical work to your project
- Plot Plan Template - Shows the proposed distances from the new structure to all property lines. It is required to show compliance with the Planning Department’s setback requirements. Setbacks may be verified on GIS MAPS or by calling 540-772-2065. A survey plat with the structure or a hand sketch showing the structure location with respect to the property lines and house is acceptable.
- Certification of Setback Compliance
- Building Plans – All detached structures 500 sq. ft. and over require 2 sets of building plans submitted with the documents
Resources
Roanoke County GIS - This will help in drawing your plot plan if you do not have a survey.
Process
- Fill out the documents
- Email documents to permit@roanokecountyva.gov or bring to the Roanoke County Administration Building, 2nd floor
- A Permit Tech will verify all paperwork for completeness. All required documents must be submitted at one time.
- A Permit Tech will work up the permit in the computer while you wait and take a deposit if the structure requires a review. (All detached structures over 500 sq. ft. will require a review)
- Review period for Residential Structures is 7 working days.
- Notification of Approvals or Denials from the review will be by email or phone call.
- If plans are denied a re-submittal will be required. When re-submitted, review time is 7 working days.
- When plans are approved a Permit Tech will notify you of remaining fees and any review comments
- Fees are collected
- Permit, Receipt, Approved Stamped Plans and the Inspection Card to post, will be returned to the applicant
- Post the Inspection Card at the site. This should be visible for the inspector and available for inspectors’ approval/denial signatures. Approved plans must also be on site if applicable.
- Call for Inspections.
- Verify Permit Inspections are complete and Permit is closed.
Payment and Fees
Accepted payment methods:
- Cash
- Check (made out to the County of Roanoke)
- Credit card (MasterCard, Visa)
For an estimate on your Permit cost use our FEE ESTIMATOR for New Residential Structures (Detached Accessory Structures are based on Square Footage).
All Building Permits are also subject to a State Levy Fee of 2% and a Technology Fee of 5% also shown on the last field on the FEE ESTIMATOR.
Typical Inspections
Call 540-772-2065 when Ready for Inspections
Information needed to request for an Inspection …
- Application Number (Found on the Issued Permit)
- Address of the job
Typical Inspections for Detached Structures Permits …
Erosion and Sediment Inspection
- Initial E&S Inspection - Based on amount of land disturbance, please refer to review notes. May be needed BEFORE work begins.
- Final E&S Inspection
Building
- Footing
- Slab - prep before pouring
- Framing
- Insulation
- Final Building
Electrical
- Underground Electrical
- Current Only - If new service is connected, an AEP work order number is needed before calling for an inspection
- Rough-In Electrical
- Final Electrical
Plumbing
- Groundwork Plumbing - plumbing in slab prep
- Rough-In Plumbing
- Final Plumbing
Mechanical
- Gasline
- Rough-In Mechanical
- Final Mechanical
**Inspections may vary due to type of project
**Always call before covering work