Under Boise City Code Title 11 (Development Code), Section 11-06-07, a carport is an accessory structure, defined as a structure open on at least two sides used to house motor vehicles of the occupants. In residential zones, garage and carport openings facing a side street must sit at least 20 feet from the side-street lot line, and detached accessory structures cannot encroach into required front or street-side yards.
Boise regulates carports through Title 11 (Development Code) of Boise City Code, primarily Section 11-06-07 (Accessory Uses and Structures) along with the dimensional standards for each residential zoning district in Section 11-02-02. An accessory use or structure must be subordinate and customarily incidental to the principal use on the same parcel and may not be used as a dwelling unit or for human habitation. In all residential zones, garages and carports with an opening onto a side street must keep the opening at least 20 feet from the side-street lot line so a parked vehicle does not overhang the right-of-way. No detached accessory structure may sit in front of the main building or encroach into a required front or street-side yard unless approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission as a conditional use. Small detached accessory structures under 120 square feet and under 7 feet high have more flexible yard placement, but typical roofed carports usually exceed those thresholds and must meet the standard side and rear setbacks of the underlying zone. A building permit is required for most carports through Planning & Development Services; confirm zone-specific setbacks and height limits with PDS at (208) 608-7100 before construction.
Building a carport in a required front or street-side yard, placing the opening less than 20 feet from a side-street lot line, or constructing an accessory structure that exceeds the dimensional standards of the underlying zone violates Boise City Code Title 11, Section 11-06-07. Unpermitted construction can result in stop-work orders and code-enforcement action through Planning & Development Services.
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