Lakeville, MN Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Lakeville's zoning ordinance emphasizes enclosed garages rather than carports for vehicle storage. City Code requires that for lots of record established after January 1, 1994, each single-family dwelling include an attached garage meeting the requirements of section 11-18-7.D. The maximum floor area of an attached garage is 1,000 square feet (1,250 square feet for larger homes in the RS-1, RS-2, and RS-3 districts, and potentially more by conditional use permit on lots over one acre). A carport or any roofed accessory structure would be treated as an accessory building subject to the city's published Accessory Structures requirements: a detached accessory building 200 square feet or less needs a zoning permit and 6-foot setback from other structures, while one over 200 square feet needs a building permit and 10-foot setback, and may not sit in a required buffer yard or drainage/utility easement. Maximum accessory-building height by district runs 15 to 20 feet. Detached accessory structures over 200 square feet with an exterior opening 8 feet or greater must have a paved driveway connecting to the existing driveway, meeting Zoning Ordinance section 11-19-7. Exterior building materials for accessory buildings must comply with section 11-17-9.C. Homeowners considering a carport should verify with the Lakeville Building Inspection Department (952-985-4440) whether it is permitted in their district and how it counts toward accessory-building limits.