Sonoma County, CA Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Sonoma County's zoning regulations (Chapter 26) list carports among customary residential accessory structures, alongside garages, sheds, greenhouses, and workshops. A detached carport is governed by Permit Sonoma's Detached Residential Accessory Structures policy (1-4-6): a building permit is required once the structure is 120 square feet or larger, which most carports exceed. Carports must comply with the development standards of the underlying zoning district, including minimum side and rear setbacks, accessory-structure height limits, and site (lot) coverage maximums. An attached carport must meet the same setbacks and height as the main dwelling. Placement in a required front, side, or rear setback is generally not allowed, and overlay/combining districts (flood, scenic corridor, riparian) can impose additional limits. Because a carport often sits near a driveway or property edge, owners should verify the exact setback for their zone before building. A carport can also serve as the base for an ADU built above an accessory structure, in which case the ADU height follows the base zoning district. Exact dimensional standards vary by zone, so confirm requirements for your specific parcel with Permit Sonoma.