In Birmingham, a carport located in any yard other than the rear yard must be attached to the principal structure and built of materials compatible with the principal structure. Carports in the rear yard are treated as accessory buildings.
Carports are addressed directly in the City of Birmingham Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 1, Article III, Section 20. A carport in any yard other than the rear yard must be attached to the principal structure and constructed of materials compatible with the principal structure, preventing freestanding or temporary metal carports in front and side yards. Carports placed in the rear yard fall under the general accessory-building controls of Chapter 3, Article I, Section 6, including the 30-percent rear-yard coverage limit and the three-foot minimum setback from side and rear lot lines in dwelling districts. The Zoning Ordinance also notes (Ch. 2 use rules) that off-street parking in a front yard is allowed only on a paved surface providing access to a carport or garage.
Noncompliant carports are zoning violations enforced by the Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits, beginning with a Zoning Violation Notice (commonly 14 working days) and potentially escalating to Environmental Court fines and, upon misdemeanor conviction, jail.
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