Brick, NJ Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Chapter 245 (Land Use), Article IV (General District Regulations) of the Brick Township Code governs accessory structures, including carports. The Township's published Schedule of Permitted Uses lists private garages and similar covered storage as accessory uses in residential zones; a carport (an open-sided covered parking structure) is treated as an accessory structure rather than a principal use. After the Council unanimously adopted an ordinance in March 2023 establishing the first Township-wide height and setback limits for accessory structures, storage sheds and similar accessory buildings in single-family residential zones may not exceed 12 feet in height. Any accessory structure with a footprint of 100 square feet or less must be set back from the side and rear property lines at least one-half the structure's height; an accessory structure greater than 100 square feet must satisfy the full side and rear yard setbacks of the underlying zone's Schedule of Area, Yard and Building Requirements (Section 245-10). Detached accessory structures must be located behind the front line of the principal building; an accessory use located in the side yard that abuts a right-of-way (and does not contain the main entrance) - such as a shed less than 200 square feet, an accessory deck less than 200 square feet, or a similar small accessory structure - must meet one-half of the minimum front yard setback for the zone. Garage floor area for principal residential garages is capped at 50% of the principal dwelling's total floor area (excluding basement), or 900 square feet in the R-1A district and 1,200 square feet in the R-1B, R-1C, and R-1R districts, whichever is greater; carports counted as garage space follow the same cap. In the R-ML 5, 6, and 7 zones, no garage space may be designed to accommodate more than two automobiles. On waterfront lots, accessory structures (excluding in-ground pools) must meet the same rear-yard setback as the principal structure but not more than 35 feet from the water-side property line. Carports attached to the principal dwelling are treated as part of the principal structure and must satisfy the principal-structure setbacks. A zoning permit is required before construction; a UCC building permit is required for any structural work, and electrical permits apply if the carport will be wired or have lighting. Floodplain zones require additional review under the Township's flood-damage-prevention provisions, and barrier-island lots subject to V-zone or coastal high-hazard mapping must satisfy elevation and breakaway-wall standards.