Loveland, CO Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Loveland UDC Title 18 treats unattached carports as detached accessory structures subject to the same dimensional standards as other accessory structures in residential zones: (1) a minimum 5 ft setback from interior side and rear property lines; (2) a 10 ft minimum setback from a side lot line abutting a street on a corner lot; (3) placement behind the front building line of the principal dwelling (front-yard carports are generally prohibited); (4) a height cap not exceeding the principal dwelling; (5) maximum lot coverage by accessory structures subject to the zone's dimensional standards. Attached carports are part of the principal dwelling and must meet the principal-building setbacks of the underlying zoning district (typically larger front setbacks of 20-25 ft, smaller side setbacks of 5-10 ft, rear setbacks of 15-25 ft, varying by zone such as R1, R1e, R2, R3, R3e). All carports require a building permit through Loveland Building Division (970-962-2727) under the 2021 International Residential Code as adopted in Loveland Municipal Code Title 15 because the structure is a roof supported by columns subject to wind and snow loads. Larimer County 115 mph basic wind speed under ASCE 7-16 / IRC Table R301.2(1) requires engineered anchorage - the carport posts must be secured to a concrete foundation with anchor bolts capable of resisting uplift loads. Loveland snow load (ground snow load typically 30 psf with Larimer County variations) requires engineered roof framing. Permanently enclosing a carport with walls converts it to a garage and requires a new building permit, fire separation per IRC R302.6 (if attached to the dwelling), a code-compliant garage door, and a vehicle-impact barrier per IRC R309. Pre-fabricated metal carports purchased online are not exempt - they still require a Loveland building permit and engineered anchorage.