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

Section 17.88.140 defines residential accessory buildings to include 'private garages, carports, covered awnings, greenhouses, and private storage buildings.' A carport may be permitted in any district that permits a residence (with the residence permit issued where required), provided all required permits are approved. The floor area of a carport counts toward the combined accessory-structure total, which may not exceed 2,500 square feet on a lot with a legally established residence (the 600-square-foot attached-garage exclusion applies to enclosed garage space, and up to two detached structures under 120 square feet each are excluded). The section does not set carport-specific setbacks; a carport must instead satisfy the yard (setback) and height limits of the underlying zone district under Sections 17.84.020 (Yards) and 17.84.030 (Height limits). Because a carport is an open structure, it must also avoid creating sight-distance or drainage problems and typically requires a building permit. Standards differ between residential, rural, and agricultural zones, so confirm the rules for your specific parcel with Shasta County Resource Management before building.