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

Trinity County has no stand-alone carport ordinance; an open carport is treated as a detached accessory building (along with garages and agricultural structures) under Zoning Code Section 17.90.060 (Public Review Draft, April 2026), or as an attached accessory structure under Section 17.90.050 if it is built onto the house. A detached carport must comply with the minimum setbacks in Table 17.90-1: 20 feet from the front, 5 feet from an interior side, 5 feet from the rear, and 10 feet from a street side on a corner parcel or from an alley, and may not exceed 25 feet in height. Where a carport is used for parking or storing vehicles, Section 17.90.060(A)(2)(a) requires the parcel to allow a driveway at least 20 feet long between the carport and any road easement, right-of-way line, or alley, ensuring vehicles can pull in without overhanging the road. An attached carport is governed by Section 17.90.050, which requires it to meet the same setbacks as the primary structure. In addition, all detached accessory buildings, including carports, must comply with the Trinity County Floodplain Ordinance and the Fire Safe Ordinance (Chapter 8.30), and parcel coverage counts garages and carports under Section 17.50.040. Structures abutting a state or federal highway must also observe a 50-foot setback from the highway centerline under Section 17.50.060(E). A building permit is generally required.