ALEXANDER COUNTY
Building Inspections
Pole Barn Construction
How to use this guide-
1– Complete this building guide By filling out all pages and
indicating which construction details will be used.
2– Provide site plan showing the dimensions of your project
or addition and its relationship to existing buildings or struc-
tures on the property and the distance to recorded property
lines drawn to scale.
3– Complete a Building Permit Application. In most cases ap-
plications are processed without delay. The use of this docu-
ment and other submitted documents will allow our staff to
verify compliance with Building Safety Codes, Zoning Ordi-
nances and any other applicable codes or rules.
Pole Barn Construction
Plan Requirements
Provide ALL of the items listed below on
your plans. Complete sets of plans along with
a site plan shall be submitted at the time of
application.
Floor Plan
Provide a plan view ( overhead) of all support
pole location, spacing and the dimensions of
the building.
Framing Plan
The framing plan shall show the direction,
size and spacing of the roof system, purlins,
girts, beams and header sizes.
Indicate location of ALL window and door
openings.
Indicate location of all support poles or
post and provide spacing dimension be-
tween poles.
The maximum size of Pole Barns not using
engineered drawings is 32’ maximum in
width and 40’ maximum in length. Maxi-
mum allowable wall height is 12 feet.
Building must maintain a 5:3 length to
width ratio.
*Buildings with any dimension exceeding
those listed above will require the seal of a
North Carolina Licensed Design profession-
al.
Section Elevation
1. Front, rear, and both side views to scale–
identify scale.
2. Finish grade line at building
3. Label depths of holes for support poles from
grade to base of pole. NOTE: Pier holes for
support poles must be a minimum of 48 inches
in depth , or the plan must be designed by a NC
Licensed design professional.
4. Pole sizes must be labeled. Wood poles bur-
ied in earth must be of preservative treated
wood labeled for ground contact.
5. Label the sidewall girt size, type of material
and spacing. Note: Bottom Girt must be of
treated wood if it is located within 6 inches of
grade.
6.Label Beam size and type of material above
support poles. Detail the method of fastening
the Beam(s) to Pole(s).
7. Label the rafter size. If engineered trusses
are to be used indicate this. Engineered Truss
drawings are required to be on-site for inspec-
tion.
8. Label the rafter tie or ceiling joist whichever
is applicable– Not applicable for engineered
truss construction.
9. Label roof purlin size and spacing if applica-
ble.
10. Label exterior wall finish material– if appli-
cable.
11. Label roof covering material.
Inspections Required:
NOTE—Plans are required to be on site at time of all inspections.
1. Footing Inspection: hole inspection– Setback and hole inspection is conducted . Holes are dug and
hold down cleats are attached to post. This inspection is required to be conducted prior to any concrete
being poured.
2. Concrete Inspection– After pads are poured—to verify concrete thickness.
3, Framing Inspection : Requested after building is erected and before any insulation or interior cover-
ing is installed. Rough Inspection may also serve as Final Inspection if no further work is being per-
formed.
4. Final Inspection: Requested after all work is completed .
W
Where allowed by the Jurisdicon, this Pole
Barn guide may be used without the need for
addional engineering, where all of the follow-
ing comply:
Barn is no larger than 40’L x 32’ W x 12’
wall Height.
Rectangular barns must maintain a 5:3
rao.
