A carport is an accessory structure in unincorporated Benton County and needs a building permit, with posts and roof anchored against Columbia Basin winds, plus compliance with county accessory-structure setbacks.
Benton County treats a carport as an accessory structure, so the building official requires a permit and plan review under RCW 19.27 and WAC 51-50. Review focuses on anchoring the posts and roof against the strong winds that sweep the Columbia Basin, and on the seismic design category; snow load is modest at Tri-Cities elevations. A detached carport must meet accessory-structure setbacks and generally sit behind the front building line. A prefabricated steel or fabric carport kit still needs a permit and usually needs added ground anchors to meet local wind loads. Attached carports are reviewed with the house structure.
An unpermitted or unanchored carport, or one placed in a required front yard or too close to a lot line, draws a stop-work order, doubled fees, and possible removal.
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See how Benton County's carport rules rules stack up against other locations.
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