Reviewed by the Benton Metal Depot team · Updated
If you're shopping for a metal garage in Tompkins, don't start with the building size. Instead, you should start with what you're planning to put inside it. A pickup, two cars and a workbench all need different amounts of room. Benton Metal Depot supplies garage packages for residential, agricultural and commercial properties throughout Camden.
Key Points
- ◦Benton Metal Depot is approximately 129 miles from Tompkins.
- ◦Get the final garage dimensions before completing permanent site work.
- ◦A metal garage can be used as parking, storage, equipment and work space under the same roof.
- ◦Doors, windows and other selections can change the final cost of a garage.
- ◦Delivery to Tompkins is currently estimated at 1 to 2 weeks.
At a Glance
| Permit threshold |
Not found — Camden County's Unified Development Code confirms accessory structure permits exist and are processed online, but no explicit sqft exemption threshold was located. Needs direct confirmation with Planning & Development.
As of 2026 · Source |
|---|---|
| Setback (side/rear) |
15 ft minimum side yard setback for accessory buildings per UDC Sec. 222(c)(5) (a variance may be requested to reduce it); rear-yard figure and other-district figures not independently confirmed.
As of 2026 · Source |
| Wind load zone |
Coastal Georgia (St. Marys/Kingsland) — general secondary sources place coastal GA in the ~130 mph (ASCE 7-22, Risk Category II) band, similar to Chatham/Glynn/McIntosh, but no Camden-specific primary map figure was found. Must be confirmed with a GA-licensed engineer or the county building official before publishing.
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 |
148
As of 2026 · Source |
Permits & Setbacks in Camden County
Before a metal garage goes up in Tompkins, check with Camden County Office of Planning & Development — Camden's cutoff for requiring a building permit is Not found — Camden County's Unified Development Code confirms accessory structure permits exist and are processed online, but no explicit sqft exemption threshold was located. Needs direct confirmation with Planning & Development. square feet. Below that, you still need to clear the 15 ft minimum side yard setback for accessory buildings per UDC Sec. 222(c)(5) (a variance may be requested to reduce it); rear-yard figure and other-district figures not independently confirmed. setback from your property line.
Delivery to Tompkins
The current estimate for getting a metal garage to Tompkins is 1 to 2 weeks. The area is about 129 miles (148 minutes) from Benton Metal Depot in Statesboro. That gives you a general timeline for scheduling contractors, preparing the property and handling local permits before the building is due to arrive.
Representative product photo — a Camden County-specific project photo is pending (rotates in from Trey's weekly upload per the freshness cadence).
FAQ
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.
Do I need a permit for a metal garage in Tompkins?
That depends on the garage and the requirements of Camden County Office of Planning & Development. The current rule requires a permit once the garage exceeds Not found — Camden County's Unified Development Code confirms accessory structure permits exist and are processed online, but no explicit sqft exemption threshold was located. Needs direct confirmation with Planning & Development. 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 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.
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.
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. Camden County Office of Planning & Development has requirements that can affect garage placement, including a current setback of 15 ft minimum side yard setback for accessory buildings per UDC Sec. 222(c)(5) (a variance may be requested to reduce it); rear-yard figure and other-district figures not independently confirmed.. 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.
Are metal garages a good choice for Georgia?
Metal buildings are utilized throughout Georgia for garages, equipment storage and other residential, agricultural and commercial uses. The important thing is choosing a building appropriate for the project and location. If you're building in Tompkins, make sure the garage specifications and site plan also meet the local requirements that apply to the property.
Definitions
- ◦ Concrete Slab
- A flat poured-concrete surface commonly used as the finished floor and part of the foundation system for a garage.
- ◦ Clear Span
- Open floor space between the building's exterior supports without interior columns getting in the way.
- ◦ Wall Panel
- Formed metal sheet used to enclose and protect the exterior walls of the garage.
- ◦ Trim
- The finished metal pieces used along corners, roof edges, openings and other transitions on the building.
- ◦ Eave Height
- The height of the sidewall measured to the point where the wall and roof meet.
- ◦ Walk Door
- A regular entry door that lets you enter the garage without opening one of the larger vehicle doors.
- ◦ Gable
- The triangular wall section found at the end of a building with a pitched roof.
- ◦ Setback
- The required amount of space between your garage and a property line, road or another boundary covered by local rules.
- ◦ Building Footprint
- The amount of ground the garage takes up, based on its outside width and length.
- ◦ Roof Panel
- A formed sheet of metal that makes up part of the garage's exterior roof surface.
Tompkins, Camden County — At a Glance
- Permit Authority Name
- Camden County Office of Planning & Development
- Permit Authority Url
- https://www.camdencountyga.gov/102/Permits
- Permit Threshold Sqft
- Not found — Camden County's Unified Development Code confirms accessory structure permits exist and are processed online, but no explicit sqft exemption threshold was located. Needs direct confirmation with Planning & Development.
- Setback Feet Side Rear
- 15 ft minimum side yard setback for accessory buildings per UDC Sec. 222(c)(5) (a variance may be requested to reduce it); rear-yard figure and other-district figures not independently confirmed.
- Wind Load Zone
- Coastal Georgia (St. Marys/Kingsland) — general secondary sources place coastal GA in the ~130 mph (ASCE 7-22, Risk Category II) band, similar to Chatham/Glynn/McIntosh, but no Camden-specific primary map figure was found. Must be confirmed with a GA-licensed engineer or the county building official before publishing.
- Coastal
- 1
- Drive Miles
- 129
- Drive Minutes
- 148
- Nearby Towns
- Seals, Colesburg, Clarks Bluff, Billyville
- 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
Buying a garage isn't just a matter of picking a picture and choosing a size. You also have to think about what you're putting inside, where it will sit and what materials the project needs. Benton Metal Depot works with residents in Tompkins and throughout the region to help them choose a garage package that will work well with whatever they need.
Ready to talk through your metal garages project in Tompkins?
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://www.camdencountyga.gov/102/Permits (2026)
- https://www.co.camden.ga.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/644 (Unified Development Code) and https://www.camdencountyga.gov/1250/Permit-Fee-Schedule (2026)
- Camden County Unified Development Code, Sec. 222(c)(5) — verify against the primary UDC document at https://www.co.camden.ga.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/644 (2026)
- Aggregated from windload.solutions and similar secondary sources — no Camden-specific primary map found (2026)
- Given/client spec — Camden County (St. Marys/Kingsland) is a coastal Georgia county (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)
Other Cities We Serve in Camden County
See the Camden County hub for metal garages
