Santa Cruz County, CA Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Carports in unincorporated Santa Cruz County are regulated as accessory structures providing covered parking, subject to the zoning standards in County Code Chapter 13.10. The County's Exceptions to Residential Standards guidance, citing County Code Section 13.10.323, describes several relevant allowances. On residential lots with significant slope (a 7-foot or greater elevation change measured at 50 feet from the road centerline), an unenclosed carport may be built with a reduced 5-foot front setback, and open safety railings up to 42 inches high may be built to the property line. Detached accessory structures (including small covered-parking structures) located entirely within the required rear yard and smaller than 120 sq ft and 10 feet tall may be set back 3 feet from the side and rear property lines. The County also provides garage/carport setback reductions: on parcels under 10,000 sq ft, attached or detached garages may reduce required setbacks by 50% when the structure is no more than 30 feet deep, has no openings within 5 feet of property lines, and maintains the required front setback; detached garages may be set back 3 feet from an alley. Carports that exceed the permit-exempt accessory-structure thresholds, or that are enclosed, require building permits and must meet the standard height and setback rules for the zone district. Coastal Zone properties may have additional requirements.