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

Section 17.16.030 of the Calaveras County Zoning Code lists carports among the roofed detached accessory structures it regulates, alongside garages, barns, sheds and covered patios. A carport must comply with the height, setback and lot-coverage development standards of the base zoning district and, like other accessory structures, may not be used as a dwelling unit. A detached carport generally may only be built where there is a permitted main use on the lot. Carports must observe the County's standard setbacks under Section 17.16.080; unlike the small-shed exemption, there is no special setback encroachment for carports, so they must sit outside required yards unless an allowed encroachment applies. New development must also respect the 50-foot stream and wetland setback. The ADU rules interact with carports in two ways: under Section 17.25.040.F, if covered parking (which can include a carport) is converted or demolished to build an ADU, replacement parking is not required; and Section 17.66.040.K of the prior code allowed required parking to be replaced in any configuration on the lot. Parking dimensions and surfacing for any required spaces are set by Chapter 17.22 (Parking). Because the central Sierra foothills are largely in State Responsibility Area fire zones, a carport's placement should also account for defensible-space and fire-safe access standards in Title 15.