Brockton regulates carports as accessory structures under Appendix C, Article III, Section 27-20 of the Code of Ordinances (Zoning). Detached accessory structures must satisfy the setback requirements applicable to the underlying residence district, and any accessory building must be located on the same lot as the principal building. Building permits are issued under 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code) by Brockton's Inspectional Services Department.
Brockton's zoning ordinance (Appendix C of the Code of Ordinances) addresses accessory structures in Article III, Section 27-20, which the City Council most recently amended in 2023. Carports - whether open-sided or enclosed, attached or detached - are treated as accessory structures and must comply with the dimensional requirements of the underlying residence district (R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2, R-3) set out in Article II beginning at Section 27-4 (Definitions and Zone Map) and the residential dimensional standards in Article IV (Permitted Uses). An attached carport is part of the principal structure and must meet the principal structure's front, side, and rear setbacks. A detached carport is an accessory building and must satisfy the side and rear setback for accessory structures in that zone, must sit on the same lot as the principal dwelling, and may not occupy the front yard. Article III, Section 27-20 separately limits residential fencing to six feet on rear/side lot lines and four feet in the front, which in practice constrains how a carport open-sided structure can be screened. Building permits, electrical permits, and structural permits for carports are administered by Brockton's Inspectional Services Department under Title V of the City Code and 780 CMR (the Massachusetts State Building Code, currently the Tenth Edition based on the 2021 IBC/IRC). Per the Brockton Permitting Handbook and 780 CMR §R105.2, one-story detached accessory structures of 200 square feet or less and not used for habitation generally do not require a building permit, but a carport over that threshold or attached to the dwelling does. Site Plan Review under Brockton's zoning is required if the project triggers the Article XVII threshold or any waiver/variance is needed. Lots in or near a Brockton local historic district may require additional Historical Commission review.
Building a carport without the required Inspectional Services Department building permit, or placing it in violation of Section 27-20 setbacks or the residence-district dimensional standards in Article II, can lead to stop-work orders, code-violation citations, and required removal or after-the-fact permitting. The Brockton Zoning Board of Appeals hears variance requests when a proposed carport cannot meet the setback or dimensional standards. Civil fines for zoning violations are assessed under MGL c.40, §21D and Brockton's local non-criminal-disposition schedule.
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