Hoover Zoning Ordinance Section 3.01.25 defines a carport as an accessory structure attached to a principal building, having a roof with one or more open sides for sheltering motor vehicles. Section 9.05.07 governs accessory buildings and structures: they may not be located in front of the principal building, may not encroach on a required side-yard setback, must collectively be no larger than 15 percent of the rear-yard area, must be at least 5 feet from any side or rear lot line, and must be at least 5 feet from any other structure.
Hoover's Zoning Ordinance (most recently amended April 21, 2025) defines a carport in Article 3, Section 3.01.25 as an accessory structure attached to a principal building, having a roof with one or more open sides and intended for the sheltering of motor vehicles. Article 9, Supplemental Regulations, Section 9.05.07 imposes the operational standards for accessory buildings and structures: (A) shall not be located to the front of a principal building; (B) shall not be located in a required side yard setback unless classified as a fixed mechanical appurtenance under 9.05.07.E; (C) shall collectively be no larger than 15 percent of the area comprising the rear yard; (D) shall in no instance be nearer than five feet to any side or rear lot line and shall be at least five feet from any other structure; and (E) fixed mechanical appurtenances such as HVAC equipment, pool equipment, and generators must maintain a five-foot clearance from property lines and other structures. Because the Section 3.01.25 definition treats a carport as attached to the principal building, an attached carport must also satisfy the principal-building front, side, and rear setbacks of the underlying district (E-1, E-2, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-T-4, R-E, PRD, R-LSF, or applicable PUD district) under Articles 5 and 8. Building permits for carports are issued by the Hoover Building Inspections Division under the adopted International Residential Code; many neighborhoods including Greystone, Ross Bridge, Riverchase, Lake Cyrus, and Trace Crossings have HOA covenants imposing additional architectural review and material restrictions in both Jefferson County and Shelby County portions of the city.
Building or expanding a carport without zoning approval and a building permit, exceeding the 15-percent rear-yard coverage cap, or placing the structure within five feet of a side or rear lot line violates Section 9.05.07 of the Zoning Ordinance. Hoover's Building Official may issue a written notice of violation under Section 6-59 of the Municipal Code identifying the violation and specifying a corrective period, after which a citation may be issued returnable in Hoover Municipal Court with fines under Code Sections 1-5 and 1-6, and the city may also pursue equitable or injunctive relief.
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