Port St. Lucie, FL Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Port St. Lucie's carport standards are codified in Chapter 158 (Zoning Code), Article XI (Supplementary Use Regulations), Section 158.217 (Accessory Uses and Structures). Subsection (C)(2)(p) addresses carports specifically: for lots under 18,500 square feet, the maximum permitted carport area is 200 square feet, while lots of 18,500 square feet or greater may have up to 400 square feet of total carport area, with height limited to the principal building's roofline or 22 feet, whichever is more restrictive. Section 158.217(C)(1) sets the general accessory-structure placement rules: accessory structures must be located a minimum of 10 feet from the rear property line, with side-yard setbacks matching the standards of the underlying zoning district. Section 158.217 also caps total accessory uses at no more than 20 percent of the principal building's floor area or the lot's ground area, whichever is more restrictive. Side-yard setbacks vary by residential district: RS-2 (Single-Family Residential) requires 10-foot side yards while RS-3 requires 7.5-foot side yards. Accessory structures, including carports, are not permitted within the area extending from the front corners of the principal structure to the front property line, so a freestanding carport in a front yard is generally not allowed in single-family residential districts. A building permit from the Port St. Lucie Building Department is required, and the structure must comply with the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code, including the 180 mph wind-load design requirement applicable in the city. Open-sided carports attached to the principal residence are permitted to encroach on the side or rear setback only as expressly allowed by the underlying district standards. HOA and deed-restricted subdivisions may impose stricter carport rules that the city does not override.