Redwood City, CA Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Article 36 (Exterior Site Improvements) Section 36.5 governs accessory buildings citywide, including carports. An accessory building may not project beyond the front wall line of the main residence. Side-yard setbacks (interior and exterior street side) must equal the main building's required side-yard setback. Rear-yard setback is a minimum of 6 feet, and the carport must stand at least 6 feet from any other building on the same lot. Total height is limited to 14 feet, with wall height limited to 9 feet for flat or shed roofs adjacent to side and rear property lines, and accessory buildings count toward the lot-coverage maximum of the underlying zone. Front-yard placement is governed by the base district. Article 5, Section 5.7 (R-1 and RH) requires garages and carports to be set back at least 20 feet from the front property line; for garages facing an exterior side yard the setback is also 20 feet. In hillside (RH) lots only, required parking — including a private garage or carport — may be approved as close as 5 feet from the street property line at the Director's discretion, while non-parking portions of the dwelling continue to meet the standard setback. Article 6, Section 6.9 (R-2 Duplex) likewise requires carport entrances and garage doors to be set back 20 feet from the front property line. A building permit is required because a carport has permanent posts, footings, and a roof; framing, post connections, and roof structure must comply with the California Building / Residential Code. State law (Government Code 65852.2) prohibits the City from requiring replacement parking when a garage or carport is demolished or converted to build an ADU. Existing legal-nonconforming carports built before current zoning may remain but cannot be expanded without Planning review.