Reviewed by the Benton Metal Depot team · Updated
A garage doesn't have to be just a place to park the car. Property owners in Gertrude can use metal garages to store cleaning equipment, different kinds of tools, storage and it can be used as a work space, too. Benton Metal Depot serves customers across Burke and can help you find the building depending on how the space will actually be used.
Key Points
- ◦Get the final garage dimensions before completing permanent site work.
- ◦Benton serves Colemans Lake, Magruder, Summertown and Midville and other communities around Gertrude.
- ◦In Gertrude, a building permit is required once the garage exceeds 200 square feet.
- ◦Plan for door clearance and walking room when deciding how wide your garage needs to be.
- ◦The current local setback for a metal garage is CAUTION: an earlier search synthesis returned a "15 ft from property lines, 80 ft front setback on vacant parcels" figure, but that mixed in material from Burke County, North Carolina (burkenc.org), an unrelated jurisdiction — NOT used here as a confirmed Burke County, GA fact. The real setback figures should be pulled directly from Burke County, GA's own ordinance (Code of Ordinances Ch. 26, Art. IV) before publishing..
At a Glance
| Permit threshold |
200
As of 2026 · Source |
|---|---|
| Setback (side/rear) |
CAUTION: an earlier search synthesis returned a "15 ft from property lines, 80 ft front setback on vacant parcels" figure, but that mixed in material from Burke County, North Carolina (burkenc.org), an unrelated jurisdiction — NOT used here as a confirmed Burke County, GA fact. The real setback figures should be pulled directly from Burke County, GA's own ordinance (Code of Ordinances Ch. 26, Art. IV) before publishing.
As of 2026 · Source |
| Wind load zone |
Inland east Georgia (Burke County borders the Savannah River near Augusta) — roughly 105-120 mph (ASCE 7, Exposure C). NOT a verified figure; exact design wind speed depends on the ASCE 7/IBC edition adopted and must be confirmed with a GA-licensed engineer or the county building official.
As of 2026 · Source |
| Panel type/gauge |
29-gauge and 26-gauge Rib panels -- Benton's existing standard gauge/profile for pole-barn, carport, and agricultural structures.
As of 2026 · Source |
| Drive time from Statesboro |
74
As of 2026 · Source |
Permits & Setbacks in Burke County
Burke treats a metal garage like any other accessory structure: under 200 square feet, Burke County Planning Department (Permits and Inspections Division) typically doesn't require a full permit, but the CAUTION: an earlier search synthesis returned a "15 ft from property lines, 80 ft front setback on vacant parcels" figure, but that mixed in material from Burke County, North Carolina (burkenc.org), an unrelated jurisdiction — NOT used here as a confirmed Burke County, GA fact. The real setback figures should be pulled directly from Burke County, GA's own ordinance (Code of Ordinances Ch. 26, Art. IV) before publishing. setback rule still governs where it can sit on the lot.
Delivery to Gertrude
Current delivery time to Gertrude is approximately 1 to 2 weeks. Benton also serves nearby communities including Colemans Lake, Magruder, Summertown and Midville. Before delivery gets close, make sure you've handled the local permits and any site preparation needed for your particular garage.
Representative product photo — a Burke County-specific project photo is pending (rotates in from Trey's weekly upload per the freshness cadence).
FAQ
Can I use a metal garage just for storage?
Yes. Cars don't have to be part of the equation at all. A metal garage can give you enclosed space for tools, lawn equipment, recreational gear and other belongings. If storage is the main purpose, think about shelving and aisle space while planning the building so everything remains accessible once the garage starts filling up.
Do I need a permit for a metal garage in Gertrude?
That depends on the garage and the requirements of Burke County Planning Department (Permits and Inspections Division). The current rule requires a permit once the garage exceeds 200 square feet. Check before doing any permanent site work. There may be other requirements tied to your property as well, so getting an answer early can save you from having to change plans later.
Can I put a metal garage beside my house?
You may be able to, but don't assume every open spot on the property is buildable. Burke County Planning Department (Permits and Inspections Division) has requirements that can affect garage placement, including a current setback of CAUTION: an earlier search synthesis returned a "15 ft from property lines, 80 ft front setback on vacant parcels" figure, but that mixed in material from Burke County, North Carolina (burkenc.org), an unrelated jurisdiction — NOT used here as a confirmed Burke County, GA fact. The real setback figures should be pulled directly from Burke County, GA's own ordinance (Code of Ordinances Ch. 26, Art. IV) before publishing.. Check the rules for your address before choosing the location, particularly if you're working with limited room between the house and property line.
How much extra room should I allow around my vehicles?
Don't measure a car and make the garage barely wider than the vehicle. You need enough room to open the doors, get in and out, walk around it and reach anything stored nearby. With two vehicles, remember the space between them too. Adding a little breathing room during planning can make a big difference once you use the garage every day.
Can my metal garage have windows and different doors?
The available configuration depends on the garage package, but doors and windows should be considered while you're planning the layout. Think about where vehicles will enter, where you want a regular walk door and whether natural light is needed inside. Making those decisions early helps you choose a layout that works instead of adding features wherever they'll fit.
What can I keep in a metal garage?
Cars and trucks are obvious, but metal garages can also hold lawn equipment, tools, recreational gear and general storage. Larger buildings can leave room for work areas, too. Make a list of what you intend to keep inside before choosing the building size. It's easy to underestimate how quickly floor space disappears.
Can I use my metal garage as a workshop too?
Definitely! Just plan for the workshop before deciding on the garage size. A workbench, toolboxes, shelving and equipment can eat up a lot of floor space, especially when you're also parking a vehicle inside. Make sure to give yourself enough room to work comfortably instead of trying to fit a workshop into whatever space happens to be left over.
How close can my metal garage be to the property line?
The current setback in Gertrude is CAUTION: an earlier search synthesis returned a "15 ft from property lines, 80 ft front setback on vacant parcels" figure, but that mixed in material from Burke County, North Carolina (burkenc.org), an unrelated jurisdiction — NOT used here as a confirmed Burke County, GA fact. The real setback figures should be pulled directly from Burke County, GA's own ordinance (Code of Ordinances Ch. 26, Art. IV) before publishing., although you should confirm the requirement for your particular property with Burke County Planning Department (Permits and Inspections Division). A setback controls how close the building can be to certain property boundaries. Check that distance before you settle on a location, especially when space on the lot is tight.
Definitions
- ◦ Walk Door
- A regular entry door that lets you enter the garage without opening one of the larger vehicle doors.
- ◦ Wall Panel
- Formed metal sheet used to enclose and protect the exterior walls of the garage.
- ◦ Clear Span
- Open floor space between the building's exterior supports without interior columns getting in the way.
- ◦ Eave Height
- The height of the sidewall measured to the point where the wall and roof meet.
- ◦ Trim
- The finished metal pieces used along corners, roof edges, openings and other transitions on the building.
- ◦ Concrete Slab
- A flat poured-concrete surface commonly used as the finished floor and part of the foundation system for a garage.
- ◦ Building Permit
- Approval from the local government to construct a building under the building and zoning rules that apply to the property.
- ◦ Overhead Door
- The large door that opens upward to let cars, trucks or equipment move in and out of the garage.
- ◦ Roof Panel
- A formed sheet of metal that makes up part of the garage's exterior roof surface.
- ◦ Building Footprint
- The amount of ground the garage takes up, based on its outside width and length.
Gertrude, Burke County — At a Glance
- Permit Authority Name
- Burke County Planning Department (Permits and Inspections Division)
- Permit Authority Url
- https://burkecounty-ga.gov/departments/planning_department/permits_and_inspections.php
- Permit Threshold Sqft
- 200
- Setback Feet Side Rear
- CAUTION: an earlier search synthesis returned a "15 ft from property lines, 80 ft front setback on vacant parcels" figure, but that mixed in material from Burke County, North Carolina (burkenc.org), an unrelated jurisdiction — NOT used here as a confirmed Burke County, GA fact. The real setback figures should be pulled directly from Burke County, GA's own ordinance (Code of Ordinances Ch. 26, Art. IV) before publishing.
- Wind Load Zone
- Inland east Georgia (Burke County borders the Savannah River near Augusta) — roughly 105-120 mph (ASCE 7, Exposure C). NOT a verified figure; exact design wind speed depends on the ASCE 7/IBC edition adopted and must be confirmed with a GA-licensed engineer or the county building official.
- Coastal
- Drive Miles
- 52.7
- Drive Minutes
- 74
- Nearby Towns
- Colemans Lake, Magruder, Summertown, Midville
- Delivery Weeks In Stock
- 1
- Delivery Weeks Custom
- 2
- Panel Type Gauge
- 29-gauge and 26-gauge Rib panels -- Benton's existing standard gauge/profile for pole-barn, carport, and agricultural structures.
- Color Count
- 7
Why Benton Metal Depot
Benton Metal Depot has been working with metal building products in Statesboro since 2004. That local experience is important when you're planning a garage in Gertrude and trying to sort through materials, building specifications and the rest of the project details. Benton works with homeowners, contractors and property owners throughout the region.
Ready to talk through your metal garages project in Gertrude?
Sources
- Internal: category-data.php (pole-barns / agricultural-pole-barns copy) (2026)
- color-collection.php Weather XL Rib/PBR color chart: Polar White, Pebble Gray, Granite, Onyx, Vanilla, Sand, Chocolate (29ga; 5 of the 7 also available in 26ga). Real Benton color count for this panel line -- not confirmed as the specific palette Jim/Trey intend to offer for metal garages. (2026)
- https://burkecounty-ga.gov/departments/planning_department/permits_and_inspections.php (2026)
- https://burkecounty-ga.gov/departments/planning_department/permits_and_inspections.php ("accessory storage buildings less than 200 square feet may be exempt from a building permit but building setbacks shall still be considered"); the same page also references a general ~$1,500 construction-value threshold for permits — confirm how the two thresholds interact (2026)
- https://library.municode.com/ga/burke_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH26LADECO_ARTIVSIDEST (not independently re-extractable as text in this pass — needs direct manual review) (2026)
- General ASCE 7 inland-Georgia range (aggregated secondary sources) — no county-specific or primary map source found (2026)
- Burke County is well inland (east Georgia, near Augusta) and is not among the coastal counties named in the client spec (2026)
- Computed 2026-09-16: GeoNames zip centroid -> OSRM public routing engine (real driving route from Statesboro, Bulloch County, GA). Deterministic and reproducible, but a free public demo routing server, not Google Maps -- spot-check a sample before confirming. (2026)
- Computed 2026-09-16: same OSRM routing result as drive_miles, converted from seconds. (2026)
- Computed 2026-09-16: 4 nearest cities in benton_service_area_cities.php by straight-line (haversine) distance from zip centroid. (2026)
- Bulk-set via dev-fact-review.php (2026)
