Reviewed by the Benton Metal Depot team · Updated
Are you running out of room in the driveway, shed or workshop? A metal garage can put vehicles, tools and equipment under one roof. Benton Metal Depot supplies garage packages to customers in Smoaks and across Colleton, with different building sizes depending on the amount of space the property owner needs.
Key Points
- ◦A metal garage can be used as parking, storage, equipment and work space under the same roof.
- ◦Benton Metal Depot is approximately 90.4 miles from Smoaks.
- ◦Check the permit and setback rules before deciding exactly where the garage will go.
- ◦Delivery to Smoaks is currently estimated at 1 to 2 weeks.
- ◦In Smoaks, a building permit is required once the garage exceeds Not found — Colleton County FAQ confirms zoning permits are required for accessory structures like "sheds, fences, barns" without stating a sqft exemption; both a building permit and a zoning permit are typically needed. Needs direct confirmation (843-549-1709). square feet.
At a Glance
| Permit threshold |
Not found — Colleton County FAQ confirms zoning permits are required for accessory structures like "sheds, fences, barns" without stating a sqft exemption; both a building permit and a zoning permit are typically needed. Needs direct confirmation (843-549-1709).
As of 2026 · Source |
|---|---|
| Setback (side/rear) |
Accessory buildings must be separated from the principal structure or other accessory structures by at least 5 ft; district-specific side/rear property-line setback figures for accessory structures were not retrieved from available excerpts.
As of 2026 · Source |
| Wind load zone |
Colleton County is classified in secondary sources as a Coastal High-Hazard Wind Zone (>130 mph, ASCE 7-16/7-22, Risk Category II) within roughly 1 mile of the mean high-water line, tapering toward inland-SC levels (~115-120 mph) further from the coast/tidal rivers. NOT verified against a primary county map; must be confirmed with a SC-licensed engineer or the county building official, especially given how much Colleton's interior extends from the ACE Basin coastline.
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 |
127
As of 2026 · Source |
Permits & Setbacks in Colleton County
Colleton treats a metal garage like any other accessory structure: under Not found — Colleton County FAQ confirms zoning permits are required for accessory structures like "sheds, fences, barns" without stating a sqft exemption; both a building permit and a zoning permit are typically needed. Needs direct confirmation (843-549-1709). square feet, Colleton County Planning and Development Department (Building Code Administration) typically doesn't require a full permit, but the Accessory buildings must be separated from the principal structure or other accessory structures by at least 5 ft; district-specific side/rear property-line setback figures for accessory structures were not retrieved from available excerpts. setback rule still governs where it can sit on the lot.
Delivery to Smoaks
Residents in Smoaks are currently looking at about 1 to 2 weeks after placing an order. Benton Metal Depot is approximately 90.4 miles away. Use that window to finish whatever needs to happen at the property first. Waiting until the garage is ready can create unnecessary delays if the site isn't.
Representative product photo — a Colleton County-specific project photo is pending (rotates in from Trey's weekly upload per the freshness cadence).
FAQ
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.
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 Colleton County Planning and Development Department (Building Code Administration). 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.
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 Smoaks?
That depends on the garage and the requirements of Colleton County Planning and Development Department (Building Code Administration). The current rule requires a permit once the garage exceeds Not found — Colleton County FAQ confirms zoning permits are required for accessory structures like "sheds, fences, barns" without stating a sqft exemption; both a building permit and a zoning permit are typically needed. Needs direct confirmation (843-549-1709). 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.
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 Smoaks, make sure the garage specifications and site plan also meet the local requirements that apply to the property.
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. Colleton County Planning and Development Department (Building Code Administration) has requirements that can affect garage placement, including a current setback of Accessory buildings must be separated from the principal structure or other accessory structures by at least 5 ft; district-specific side/rear property-line setback figures for accessory structures were not retrieved from available excerpts.. Check the rules for your address before choosing the location, particularly if you're working with limited room between the house and property line.
Should I pour the concrete before ordering the garage?
Get the garage specifications nailed down first. You want to know the correct dimensions and make sure the planned location meets the rules for Smoaks before putting permanent concrete in the ground. It's much easier to adjust a garage plan on paper than to deal with a slab that was poured in the wrong place or at the wrong size.
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.
Definitions
- ◦ Setback
- The required amount of space between your garage and a property line, road or another boundary covered by local rules.
- ◦ Fastener
- A screw or other connector used to hold metal panels and building components securely in place.
- ◦ Gable
- The triangular wall section found at the end of a building with a pitched roof.
- ◦ Roof Pitch
- How steep the roof is, usually described by how much it rises over a set horizontal distance.
- ◦ Overhead Door
- The large door that opens upward to let cars, trucks or equipment move in and out of the garage.
- ◦ Ridge
- The top line of a pitched roof where the two sloping sides come together.
- ◦ 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.
- ◦ Trim
- The finished metal pieces used along corners, roof edges, openings and other transitions on the building.
Smoaks, Colleton County — At a Glance
- Permit Authority Name
- Colleton County Planning and Development Department (Building Code Administration)
- Permit Authority Url
- https://www.colletoncounty.org/planning-development/building-code-administration
- Permit Threshold Sqft
- Not found — Colleton County FAQ confirms zoning permits are required for accessory structures like "sheds, fences, barns" without stating a sqft exemption; both a building permit and a zoning permit are typically needed. Needs direct confirmation (843-549-1709).
- Setback Feet Side Rear
- Accessory buildings must be separated from the principal structure or other accessory structures by at least 5 ft; district-specific side/rear property-line setback figures for accessory structures were not retrieved from available excerpts.
- Wind Load Zone
- Colleton County is classified in secondary sources as a Coastal High-Hazard Wind Zone (>130 mph, ASCE 7-16/7-22, Risk Category II) within roughly 1 mile of the mean high-water line, tapering toward inland-SC levels (~115-120 mph) further from the coast/tidal rivers. NOT verified against a primary county map; must be confirmed with a SC-licensed engineer or the county building official, especially given how much Colleton's interior extends from the ACE Basin coastline.
- Coastal
- 1
- Drive Miles
- 90.4
- Drive Minutes
- 127
- Nearby Towns
- Williams, Sniders Crossroads, Bells Crossroads, Hudsons Mill
- 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 manufactures metal products in Statesboro and has served residential, agricultural and commercial customers since 2004. For someone building a garage in Smoaks, that means working with a regional metal supplier rather than trying to piece the project together from unrelated sources. The garage package can be quoted around the specifications of the project.
Ready to talk through your metal garages project in Smoaks?
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.colletoncounty.org/planning-development/building-code-administration (2026)
- https://www.colletoncounty.org/faq/when-do-i-need-zoning-permit (2026)
- Colleton County Code of Ordinances, Title 14.08 (Zoning), https://www.colletoncounty.org/sites/default/files/uploads/planning_dev/2022%20Ordinance%20Update/2022-update-zoning-ordinance.pdf — needs direct lookup of the district yard table (2026)
- Aggregated from windload.solutions and similar secondary sources — no primary Colleton County wind map found (2026)
- Given/client spec — Colleton County is a coastal South Carolina 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 Colleton County
See the Colleton County hub for metal garages
