North Charleston, SC Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Under Article VI of Appendix A (Zoning Regulations) of the North Charleston Code, an attached carport, porch, deck, attached garage, or covered patio is considered the main body of the dwelling for front, side, and rear yard setbacks (Sec. 6-1(c)(2)(a) for R-1 single-family and Sec. 6-1(e) for R-3 mobile/manufactured homes). That means an attached carport must meet the principal-building setbacks of the underlying district. A detached carport is a residential accessory structure governed by Sec. 6-1 and Sec. 6-6, may not be located in a required front yard, and is generally placed in the rear yard, although the zoning administrator may allow a side-yard location where rear-yard placement is impracticable due to the principal dwelling's position, easements, trees, or wetlands. Detached accessory buildings may not be situated closer than six feet from any structure or three feet from any interior property line, may not exceed eighteen feet in height to the ridge or the height of the existing residence (whichever is less), and may collectively occupy no more than forty percent of the rear yard. A City of North Charleston building permit is required from the Construction & Development department, with filing fees scaled to project value (starting at $30 for projects under $1,000) plus a plan-review fee.