Fairfax County treats a carport as a freestanding accessory structure under the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 112), Article 4 use rules and Article 5 dimensional standards. A building permit is required for any structure over 256 square feet. Setbacks vary by zoning district (Article 2). On lots 36,000 sq ft or less, freestanding accessory structures are not permitted in any front yard.
Fairfax County regulates carports through Zoning Ordinance Chapter 112. Permitted accessory uses are listed in Article 4, and the dimensional standards (height, setbacks, lot coverage) are in Article 5. A freestanding carport is treated as a freestanding accessory structure. A Land Development Services building permit is required for any structure exceeding 256 square feet, and a zoning permit is required regardless of size. On lots of 36,000 sq ft or less, freestanding accessory structures are not allowed in any front yard. A freestanding accessory structure that does not exceed 8.5 feet in height may be located in side or rear yards subject to district-specific setbacks. Taller carports must meet the principal structure setbacks of the underlying zoning district under Article 2. The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63), which incorporates the 2018 IRC, also applies. Confirm setbacks for your specific zoning district with Fairfax County Zoning at 703-222-1082.
A carport in a front yard on a lot of 36,000 sq ft or less, or one violating district setbacks under Article 5, is enforceable through Zoning Enforcement. Building a carport over 256 sq ft without a building permit is enforceable through Code Compliance.
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