Farmington Hills, MI Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Farmington Hills treats a carport as an accessory structure under Chapter 34 of the Zoning Ordinance. A building permit from the Building Division at (248) 871-2450 is required for any permanent carport — defined as one with a foundation, structurally attached to the dwelling, or exceeding 200 square feet — and the structure must comply with the Michigan Building Code for snow load, wind load, and footing standards. Carports must observe the same setback and yard rules as other accessory structures: they must be located within the building envelope established by the underlying zoning district (RA-1, RA-2A, RA-2B, RA-3, RA-4) and may not encroach on required front, side, or rear yard setbacks. An attached carport that creates a covered side entrance over a driveway is treated as a building addition and must meet the principal-dwelling side-yard setback rather than the more lenient accessory-structure setback. Carports may not be enclosed with walls without a permit (enclosure converts them into a garage and triggers full structural and energy code review). Subdivision and HOA covenants frequently restrict or prohibit carports entirely — applicants should verify with their association before construction. Temporary fabric carports require Zoning review and are generally treated as accessory structures subject to placement rules.