What metal buildings can you get in Wilmington, NC?
Short answer: steel-framed carports, garages, workshops, barns and storage buildings, from a small open carport to an enclosed building with roll-up doors. Anything over 12 feet in any dimension is treated as a permitted building.
- Carports: a roof on a steel frame with open sides, for cars, boats, RVs or equipment.
- Enclosed metal garages: walls and roll-up or walk-in doors, often on a concrete slab.
- Metal workshops and barns: taller sidewalls and wider spans for tools, tractors or a workbench.
- Metal storage buildings and sheds: smaller enclosed units for yard and garden storage.
- Lean-tos and add-ons: a covered side bay added to a carport or garage.
Do metal carports in NC need a permit?
Short answer: often yes. The NC Residential Code says detached carports must meet the code, except portable, lightweight carports of no more than 400 sq. ft. or 12 feet mean roof height1. Carports in Wilmington also need zoning approval.
- Know the size: a 20x20 carport is 400 sq. ft.; a 20x21 is over it.
- Know the height: mean roof height is roughly halfway between the eave and the peak. Tall RV carports often go over 12 feet.
- Zoning: inside Wilmington city limits, check the Land Development Code with the City's zoning team before applying; New Hanover County issues the building permit5.
- Brunswick County: a zoning development permit is required for structures of any size3.
- Flood zones: New Hanover County requires an elevation certificate when the property is in a flood zone2.
Do metal buildings in Wilmington need engineered plans?
Short answer: yes, for a prefab metal building that needs a building permit in New Hanover County. Its checklist says engineered plans are required for prefab metal buildings2.
- What the County asks for: a dimensioned site plan with property lines and setbacks, a tie-down or foundation plan if the design requires one, framing details, and elevations and wall sections2.
- Brunswick County: for a permitted accessory structure, inspectors look for an engineer letter and tie-downs installed per the engineer's plan3.
- Ask the seller: whether the drawings are stamped for North Carolina and for your county's wind requirements, and who pays for site-specific drawings.
- Anchors match the base: anchors for a concrete slab differ from ground anchors in soil. The plan should say which.
Is a metal or wood storage building right for your yard?
Short answer: metal suits wide open spans like carports and garages; a wood shed built on site suits tight backyards, custom sizes and a finished look.
- Access: a wood shed built on site is carried in by hand. Metal kits also go up on site, but large frames need room to assemble and, often, a slab.
- Span: steel frames cover wide, open bays with few posts, which is why most carports are metal.
- Finish: wood sheds take paint, trim, windows and lofts easily. HOAs sometimes prefer that look; check first.
- Coastal air: ask what coating the steel and fasteners have, and what the seller's written terms say about rust.
- Prices: see what a wood shed costs around Wilmington.
What should you ask before buying a metal building?
- Size and height: width, length, and leg (sidewall) height, and whether it crosses the 12-foot or 400 sq. ft. lines above.
- Frame: the steel tubing gauge and spacing between frames.
- Roof style: whether roof panels run vertically or horizontally, which affects how rain and leaves shed off.
- Base: slab, gravel or ground, and the anchor type for each.
- Paperwork: engineered drawings for your county, and who pulls the permit.
- Doors and walls: roll-up door sizes, walk-in doors, windows and any enclosed sides.
Then call (910) 763-7991 or send the form with your size, site and town.
What do people ask about metal buildings in Wilmington?
Do I need a permit for a metal carport in NC?
Usually yes. The NC Residential Code lists detached carports among the accessory structures that must meet the code, with an exception for portable, lightweight carports not exceeding 400 sq. ft. or 12 feet mean roof height1. Zoning rules still apply; ask your permit office.
Does a metal building in New Hanover County need engineered plans?
Yes. New Hanover County's shed and detached garage checklist says engineered plans are required for prefab metal buildings2.
Does a small metal shed need a building permit?
Not if no dimension is over 12 feet, in most local offices. It still needs a zoning permit: New Hanover County requires one for a structure 12x12 or less2, and Brunswick County requires one for any size3.
Can I put power in a metal building?
Yes, with an electrical permit. State law requires a permit to install or extend electrical wiring4.
How much does a metal building cost in Wilmington?
We have not found a local published price list we can cite, so we do not publish a number. Call or send the form for a quote on your size and site.
What else should you read before you call?
Ready to price a metal building or carport?
Call (910) 763-7991 or send the short form. A local shed builder calls you back to talk through size, site and price for your Wilmington shed.
Where does this information come from?
- North Carolina Residential Code, 2018 edition, Sections R101.2.1 and R101.2.2 (accessory buildings and structures), ICC free view. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- New Hanover County, Residential Build: Shed/Detached Garage (permit checklist PDF). Accessed November 1, 2026.
- Brunswick County Code Administration, Guide to Accessory Buildings (PDF). Accessed November 3, 2026.
- North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 160D-1110, Building permits. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- City of Wilmington, Build structure or addition (zoning and building permits). Accessed November 3, 2026.