Fayetteville, NC Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Fayetteville's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), codified as Chapter 30 of the City Code, defines a carport in Article 30-9 as a roofed structure that is not more than 75 percent enclosed by walls and may be attached to or located adjacent to the principal structure. When a carport is attached to the principal dwelling, the UDO classifies it as an addition to the principal structure, so it must satisfy the front, side, and rear yard setbacks established for the underlying zoning district in Article 30-3 and must comply with the building height, lot coverage, and impervious-surface standards of that district. A free-standing or detached carport is regulated as an accessory structure under Section 30-5.D and the accessory-use standards of Section 30-4.D. Section 30-5.D limits an accessory structure to 1,200 square feet of footprint, requires an additional 5 feet of setback from any lot line for any accessory structure with a footprint over 700 square feet, and caps the combined area of all accessory structures and accessory-use areas on a lot at 25 percent of the allowable lot coverage. Detached carports must be set back behind the front building line of the principal dwelling and may not be located in a required front yard or street-side yard. The accessory-structure size and setback caps do not apply where the structure is adjacent to a business zoning district. Lots of at least one acre may exceed the size cap by complying with Section 30-4.D.3.w (Accessory uses/structures on large residential lots). Building permits are issued by Cumberland County Inspections under the North Carolina Residential Code and the NC Building Code; a permit is required for any roofed structure that meets the code's structure threshold (generally any new structure greater than 12 square feet or that involves footings, electrical, or plumbing). Carports may not be placed within recorded utility, drainage, or access easements. The owner is also responsible for confirming that any private subdivision covenants or HOA architectural standards permit the structure and material.