City of Gastonia, North Carolina How to Obtain a Permit

• You must provide three (3) copies of a site Building permit applications are available on- drawing of your property with the location and size of the proposed structure and of line at www.cityofgastonia.com (navigate to all existing structures, including the princi- departments, then to Planning, followed by pal structure ( if you do not have this one Building Inspections and you will find in the may be provided for you at the permit center of the page a list of forms for you to BUILDING counter); You must provide an exact meas- complete. urement from your property line to all If you wish to print your own aerial site draw- sides of the proposed structure. REGULATIONS ing you may visit Gaston County’s Web Site at • If you have a septic tank (not connected to http://egov1.co.gaston.nc.us/website/ city sewer) you must first obtain a verifica- ParcelDataSite/viewer.htm Here you may FOR RESIDENTIAL tion permit from the Gaston County Envi- search for your parcel information, print and ronmental Health Office. You may contact draw, then bring this information, along with them at 704-853-5200 to schedule this in- your building permit application to receive DETACHED spection and obtain this permit. accelerated service.

• You must complete a building permit ap- If you have any questions please do not hesi- GARAGES, plication; you will need to have the owner tate to contact us by calling 704-866-6729. and or contractor (s) listed with appropri- ate contact information. A property owner ACCESSORY may apply for a permit for their own prop- erty; STRUCTURES & • The permit application must also include the size, construction type (including in- stallation practices), materials to be used, CARPORTS exterior finishes (including door, garage door & window specifications)

• The permit application must also include whether electric, plumbing, HVAC will be included in the structure. Building Support Services, • The cost of the permit is based upon the PO Box 1748,150 S. York Street, Gastonia, cost of construction plus a zoning fee; NC 28053 • Once you obtain your permit you must call 704-866-6729 for all required inspections before you can www.cityofgastonia.com occupy the structure for any purpose. Carports Garages, barns and other types Detached residential Storage or garage Metal or otherwise of accessory structures

In the City of Gastonia you are re- • If the lot is between one (1) and three (3) Any accessory building that is 12’ or quired to obtain a Zoning Permit for acres it can be increased to twelve hun- greater in any dimension will have to every structure, no matter the size, that dred (1,200) square feet cumulative total meet the regulations of the North Caro- will be located on your property. of all buildings or 1/2 of heated ground lina Residential Code some of which floor area of the principal structure; include: The North Carolina Building Code requirements state: R-101.2 … • Lots less than one (1) acre in size may • Footing designed to meet the NC Accessory buildings with any dimen- only have two (2) accessory structures; Building Code; and, either a slab or sion greater than 12 feet must meet the lots greater than one (1) acre may have masonry foundation; provisions of this code and a building up to three (3). This does not include • 1/2 inch anchor bolts must be em- permit must also be obtained prior to carports or garages; placing or constructing the building on bedded in seven (7) inches of con- site. • Cannot be located in drainage or utility crete within twelve (12) inches of easements; and cannot exceed height of the corners and six(6) foot on center If the building is smaller than 12 feet in principal structure. throughout the slab or foundation; any dimension only a Zoning Permit will be required. • Exterior finish cannot be of highly reflec- • Building must be designed to with tive metal; if more than five hundred stand the ninety (90) mile per hour ZONING REQUIREMENTS (500) square feet the exterior finish must wind load including all doors, win- dows & garage doors; • Cannot be located in front yard be of materials similar in nature to the exterior finish of the principle structure. unless property is more than one • The building must be constructed (1) acre in size; • Cannot be used in the commission of a of proper lumber and all spans & spacing as well as fastening must • Lots one (1) acre in size or greater, business; commercial enterprise or be in conformance with the NC with the structure in the front otherwise non-residential uses. Building Code; (will need to know yard, must be 150 feet from the BUILDING REQUIREMENTS if roof trusses are engineered or edge of the street right of way line; stick-built) Accessory buildings may be constructed • Structure cannot be within five (5) without a masonry or concrete foundation, • If electricity is to be installed will feet of any side or rear property provided all of the following conditions are need to installed according to the line, nor can it be within five (5) met:: National Electric Code. Require- feet of the principal structure; an ments may vary upon need; additional 10 foot must be added • The building shall not exceed 400 sq. ft. for corner lots; or one story in height: • If plumbing/HVAC is to be in- stalled it must conform with the NC • You must calculate the square • The building is supported on a wood Plumbing & Mechanical Code. footage of all structures on your foundation of a minimum 2x6 or 3x4 property that have 3 sides or more mud sill of approved wood in accor- • The building standards mentioned and the new structure cannot ex- dance with Section 323(approved for above are for a residential use and ceed a cumulative total of the size ground contact): and, are not approved for commercial requirements listed; • The building is anchored to resist over- applications; please contact the Building Services Division if you • On lots less than one (1) acre the turning and sliding by installing a mini- plan to utilize a pre-constructed structure cannot exceed more than mum of one ground anchor at each cor- building for commercial use, other 1/2 the heated square foot of the ner of the building. The total resisting requirements will apply. ground floor of the principal struc- force of the anchors shall be equal to 20 ture or eight hundred (800) square psf times the plan area of the building. foot whichever is greater;