Monterey County treats carports as accessory structures subject to Title 21 zoning setbacks and building permits. Under the county ADU ordinance and state law, when a carport is demolished or converted to build an ADU, the county does not require the lost off-street parking spaces to be replaced.
Carports and covered parking structures in unincorporated Monterey County are regulated as accessory structures under Title 21 (Zoning) and generally require a building permit and compliance with the setback and height standards of the applicable zoning district. Required residential off-street parking is set in section 21.58.040; for single-family detached dwellings the standard is generally one space, while ADUs/JADUs are listed as parking 'Not Required' in the parking schedule. The most specific carport rule in the county code appears in the ADU ordinance (section 21.64.030): consistent with Government Code 65852.2 (state ADU law, now also Gov. Code 66310 et seq.), when a garage, carport or covered parking structure is demolished in connection with the construction of an ADU, or is converted to an ADU, the county shall not require that those off-street parking spaces be replaced. For a new freestanding carport, owners should confirm the side, rear and front setbacks for their zoning district with Monterey County Planning Services, since setback distances vary by district.
Erecting a carport without a required building permit, or within the required setback, can lead to Monterey County code enforcement and a requirement to permit, relocate or remove the structure.
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