Inyo County, CA Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Unincorporated Inyo County does not maintain a dedicated 'carport ordinance.' A carport - whether attached or detached - is treated as an accessory structure and must comply with the development standards of the property's zoning district under Title 18 (Zoning) and with the California Building Code as adopted in Title 14 (Building Regulations). Setback, height, and lot-coverage limits for accessory structures are set within each zone chapter, such as RR Rural Residential (Chapter 18.21), R-1 One-Family Residences (Chapter 18.30), and the residential general-regulations chapters. Inyo County's code also references a 10-foot minimum separation between detached structures. A building permit is generally required to construct a carport because it is a roofed structure, and the structure must meet wind and snow-load standards appropriate to the parcel's location - relevant in the Eastern Sierra, where Inyo County has a separate Snow Avalanche Hazard Overlay (Chapter 18.64) for certain mountain areas. Because exact dimensional limits vary by zone, owners should confirm setbacks and permit requirements with the Inyo County Planning Department (760-878-0263) before building a carport. The full text of the applicable zoning standards is published in the County's eCode360 codification of Title 18.