Tigard, OR Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

The Tigard Community Development Code (Title 18) governs residential accessory structures including detached carports, sheds, and detached garages. Under Chapter 18.290 (Small Form Residential), accessory structures may be located in the required side, street side, or rear setback provided they are a minimum of five feet from the side, street side, or rear property lines, except that garages and carports are subject to specific setback standards for the side of the structure designed for vehicle access, as provided in Table 18.290.1. Accessory structures cannot be located in the required front-yard setback. A garage door or carport entrance designed for vehicle access must not be closer to the street property line than a facade that encloses living area along the same street frontage, except that a garage door or carport entrance may extend up to five feet in front of a living-area facade if there is a covered front porch with no horizontal dimension less than five feet and the garage door or carport entrance does not extend beyond the roof of the porch (excluding gutters). An attached carport that is structurally part of the principal dwelling is treated as part of the main structure and must meet the principal-structure setbacks of the underlying residential zone under Chapter 18.110 (Residential Zones). Building, electrical, and structural permits are administered by the City of Tigard Building Division, which adopts the Oregon Residential Specialty Code under ORS 455.020. A carport open on at least two sides is generally an unenclosed accessory structure but still requires zoning verification and a building permit when it exceeds the threshold set in the Oregon Residential Specialty Code.