Mobile, AL Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

The City of Mobile regulates carports as accessory structures under the Mobile Unified Development Code, Chapter 64 (Zoning), adopted in its current form on June 7, 2022. Article 2 establishes residential districts (R-1 through R-3, etc.) with district-specific setback, height, and lot-coverage standards that govern carports placed on the same lot as a primary dwelling. Article 3 (Development Standards) and Article 4 (Use Regulations) include the accessory structure provisions: a carport must be subordinate to the principal dwelling, sit on the same building site, and respect the front, side, and rear yard minimums of the underlying district. Carports are typically not permitted in a required front yard. Construction is reviewed by the city's Build Mobile Permitting & Inspections Division under Chapter 11 (Buildings) and the Alabama-adopted International Residential Code (IRC), with carports designed to the Florida-style high-wind loads required throughout coastal Alabama. Mobile lies in the Gulf Coast hurricane wind region, so attached or freestanding carports must meet design wind speeds set by the Alabama Building Commission codes for Mobile County. Properties in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas trigger additional flood-resistant construction standards under Mobile's floodplain ordinance. For the exact district setbacks, maximum height, and the current permit fee for your address, contact Build Mobile Permitting at 251-208-5895.