Reviewed by the Benton Metal Depot team · Updated
For some residents in Windward, a metal garage means covered parking. For others, it's where the lawn equipment, tools and weekend projects end up. Benton Metal Depot supplies metal garage packages throughout Chatham, so the building can be planned around the job it needs to do on your property.
Key Points
- ◦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 Not retrieved — Chatham County has its own zoning ordinance with district-specific setback tables; figures were not found in available search results and need direct lookup..
- ◦Doors, windows and other selections can change the final cost of a garage.
- ◦Benton serves Windsor Forest, Coffee Bluff, Grove Point and Mount Herman and other communities around Windward.
- ◦Get the final garage dimensions before completing permanent site work.
At a Glance
| Permit threshold |
No explicit sqft exemption found on the county page — it lists "garages, carports... accessory buildings, storage buildings, tool sheds" as requiring permits without stating a size cutoff. Georgia's state minimum code baseline (IRC) exempts one-story detached sheds/playhouses up to 120 sq ft, but it is unconfirmed whether Chatham County enforces that exemption as-is.
As of 2026 · Source |
|---|---|
| Setback (side/rear) |
Not retrieved — Chatham County has its own zoning ordinance with district-specific setback tables; figures were not found in available search results and need direct lookup.
As of 2026 · Source |
| Wind load zone |
Coastal Georgia (Savannah/Chatham County) — commonly cited around 130 mph (3-second gust, ASCE 7-22, Risk Category II), with barrier-island areas (Tybee, Wilmington, Skidaway Islands) potentially reaching or exceeding 140 mph. NOT verified against a primary county map — Georgia adopted the 2024 IBC/IRC (with GA amendments) effective Jan 1, 2026, referencing ASCE 7-22, and the exact mapped speed depends on precise site location 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 |
66
As of 2026 · Source |
Permits & Setbacks in Chatham County
Chatham treats a metal garage like any other accessory structure: under No explicit sqft exemption found on the county page — it lists "garages, carports... accessory buildings, storage buildings, tool sheds" as requiring permits without stating a size cutoff. Georgia's state minimum code baseline (IRC) exempts one-story detached sheds/playhouses up to 120 sq ft, but it is unconfirmed whether Chatham County enforces that exemption as-is. square feet, Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services typically doesn't require a full permit, but the Not retrieved — Chatham County has its own zoning ordinance with district-specific setback tables; figures were not found in available search results and need direct lookup. setback rule still governs where it can sit on the lot.
Delivery to Windward
The current estimate for getting a metal garage to Windward is 1 to 2 weeks. The area is about 53.4 miles (66 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 Chatham County-specific project photo is pending (rotates in from Trey's weekly upload per the freshness cadence).
FAQ
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. Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services has requirements that can affect garage placement, including a current setback of Not retrieved — Chatham County has its own zoning ordinance with district-specific setback tables; figures were not found in available search results and need direct lookup.. 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.
Do I need a permit for a metal garage in Windward?
That depends on the garage and the requirements of Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services. The current rule requires a permit once the garage exceeds No explicit sqft exemption found on the county page — it lists "garages, carports... accessory buildings, storage buildings, tool sheds" as requiring permits without stating a size cutoff. Georgia's state minimum code baseline (IRC) exempts one-story detached sheds/playhouses up to 120 sq ft, but it is unconfirmed whether Chatham County enforces that exemption as-is. 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 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.
What do I need to do to my property before the garage arrives?
First, decide exactly where the garage will go and check the permit and setback requirements with Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services. Then follow the site requirements for the garage you've selected. Any grading, concrete or other preparation should be based on the final building specifications. Don't prepare the site using rough dimensions if the building hasn't been finalized.
Definitions
- ◦ Roof Pitch
- How steep the roof is, usually described by how much it rises over a set horizontal distance.
- ◦ Fastener
- A screw or other connector used to hold metal panels and building components securely in place.
- ◦ Setback
- The required amount of space between your garage and a property line, road or another boundary covered by local rules.
- ◦ Gable
- The triangular wall section found at the end of a building with a pitched roof.
- ◦ Overhead Door
- The large door that opens upward to let cars, trucks or equipment move in and out of the garage.
- ◦ Building Permit
- Approval from the local government to construct a building under the building and zoning rules that apply to the property.
- ◦ 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.
- ◦ Ridge
- The top line of a pitched roof where the two sloping sides come together.
- ◦ Trim
- The finished metal pieces used along corners, roof edges, openings and other transitions on the building.
Windward, Chatham County — At a Glance
- Permit Authority Name
- Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services
- Permit Authority Url
- https://buildingsafety.chathamcountyga.gov/PermitsInspections/WhenPermitsRequired
- Permit Threshold Sqft
- No explicit sqft exemption found on the county page — it lists "garages, carports... accessory buildings, storage buildings, tool sheds" as requiring permits without stating a size cutoff. Georgia's state minimum code baseline (IRC) exempts one-story detached sheds/playhouses up to 120 sq ft, but it is unconfirmed whether Chatham County enforces that exemption as-is.
- Setback Feet Side Rear
- Not retrieved — Chatham County has its own zoning ordinance with district-specific setback tables; figures were not found in available search results and need direct lookup.
- Wind Load Zone
- Coastal Georgia (Savannah/Chatham County) — commonly cited around 130 mph (3-second gust, ASCE 7-22, Risk Category II), with barrier-island areas (Tybee, Wilmington, Skidaway Islands) potentially reaching or exceeding 140 mph. NOT verified against a primary county map — Georgia adopted the 2024 IBC/IRC (with GA amendments) effective Jan 1, 2026, referencing ASCE 7-22, and the exact mapped speed depends on precise site location and must be confirmed with a GA-licensed engineer or the county building official.
- Coastal
- 1
- Drive Miles
- 53.4
- Drive Minutes
- 66
- Nearby Towns
- Windsor Forest, Coffee Bluff, Grove Point, Mount Herman
- 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 Windward 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 Windward?
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://buildingsafety.chathamcountyga.gov/PermitsInspections/WhenPermitsRequired (2026)
- https://buildingsafety.chathamcountyga.gov/PermitsInspections/WhenPermitsRequired — needs direct confirmation by phone (912-201-4300) (2026)
- https://buildingsafety.chathamcountyga.gov/ — needs direct ordinance lookup (2026)
- Aggregated from windload.solutions and similar secondary sources — no primary Chatham County wind map found (2026)
- Given/client spec — Chatham County (Savannah) 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 Chatham County
See the Chatham County hub for metal garages
