New Orleans, LA Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Under CZO Article 21, carports are accessory structures subject to the same rear-yard and setback rules as garages and sheds in most New Orleans residential districts. Detached carports must generally be located in the rear yard, set back at least 3 feet from side and rear property lines, with maximum height of 15 feet for single-story structures. Attached carports are regulated like additions to the principal structure and must meet front, side, and corner setbacks of the underlying district, often 5 to 20 feet depending on zoning. Building permits are required for any carport attached to a dwelling or larger than 200 square feet, including footing inspection for posts, and structural review for wind loads given Louisiana's hurricane exposure (ASCE 7 wind speeds of 130 to 150 mph in Orleans Parish). Carports must also meet the Floodplain Management Ordinance, with open-sided structures generally treated as enclosures only when they have walls on more than two sides. In HDLC and Vieux Carre districts, front-yard or street-facing carports are typically prohibited as incompatible with historic streetscapes; rear-yard carports accessed from alleys or driveways are preferred. Total accessory structure coverage of the rear yard is generally capped at 30 percent. Off-street parking minimums in the CZO may also be satisfied by an open carport in some districts.