Hawthorne, CA Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Hawthorne's residential parking and design standards in Chapter 17.20 address carports as covered parking. Carports 'may be substituted in lieu of garages on key lots and interior lots for any parking spaces that are screened from the street by a building or wall of a building,' and carports or porte cocheres 'may be built for any parking spaces outside of the front yard setback, provided that all roof drainage is directed away from property lines' or rain gutters prevent spillage onto adjacent properties. The code requires that carports, garages, and accessory structures 'be designed as an integral part of project architecture,' and it expressly states that 'fabric and prefabricated metal carports are prohibited.' Canopies 'are not permitted in any setback area or over driveways.' Garages in residential zones may be built to the side and rear property lines, while porte cocheres must stay at least six inches from a property line. Because carports are open covered parking rather than enclosed habitable space, they are not treated as ADUs; however, on multifamily sites, existing carports and covered parking may be converted to ADUs under Chapter 17.21.