Noblesville, IN Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Sec. 159.121 expressly lists 'carports' alongside garages, canopies, porte-cocheres, patios, and similar structures as accessory uses 'a permitted use in all zoning districts except as otherwise restricted.' Carports must satisfy the size and height caps of Sec. 159.121: combined accessory structure square footage on a lot one acre or smaller cannot exceed 50 percent of the principal building or 1,000 sq ft (whichever is less), at a 17-foot maximum height. Setbacks: side and rear default to the underlying residential district (typically 6-10 ft side, 20-25 ft rear); on lots 1-5 acres the side/rear minimum rises to 20 ft; on 5+ acre lots it rises to 40 ft. Front-yard carports are constrained — Sec. 159.121 prohibits accessory structures in required front yards, though a carport attached to the principal building and integrated with the driveway approach may be allowed as a covered driveway feature subject to design review. Open-sided metal carports must be anchored and engineered to Indiana Residential Code wind loads (90 mph basic wind speed for Hamilton County). Carports made from fabric, tarp, or similar temporary materials may be classified as 'temporary structures' subject to time-limited permits. A building permit ($75 base) is required for carports over 200 sq ft. Pre-fab metal carports and aluminum awnings still require permit review even if delivered as a kit. The carport cannot be enclosed into a garage without a new permit and compliance with the higher accessory-structure standards.