Durham, NC Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Detached carports in Durham are classified as accessory structures and require a building permit from the City-County Building and Safety Department. Under UDO Section 5.4.1, carports cannot be placed in the front yard and must be located behind the front building line. An exception exists in the RR district on lots of 2 or more acres where structures may be placed in front if not in the street yard. The minimum setback from rear and side property lines is 5 feet for structures under 15 feet in height and 10 feet for taller structures. In RU and RC districts, the minimum setback is reduced to 3 feet. Carports exceeding 12 feet on any side require structural drawings meeting the NC State Building Code in addition to a site plan. The total square footage of all accessory structures combined cannot exceed the primary structure square footage. On corner lots where the rear or side yard abuts a street, the carport setback must meet the front yard minimum for that zone. The structure height is limited to the greater of 2 stories or 32 feet, or the height of the primary structure, in standard districts.