Tuscaloosa, AL Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Tuscaloosa does not currently define "carport" separately in its adopted code; the term appears only in the city's unadopted zoning-rewrite draft, where a carport is described as a roofed accessory structure that is not fully enclosed (versus a garage, which is fully enclosed). For now, a carport is treated as an accessory building/structure under Sec. 24-5 of Chapter 24 and is subject to the same controls as other accessory structures: it must observe the front, side, and rear setbacks of the underlying zoning district, may not exceed district lot-coverage limits, and may not be used as a dwelling. A building permit is generally required for a permanent carport, and the structure must be anchored to meet wind-load requirements under the Alabama building code. The city's rule barring sheet-metal cladding on accessory structures larger than 120 square feet can apply to large metal carport kits. Because there is no dedicated carport standard, the practical rule is to confirm your district's accessory-structure setbacks and coverage with the Office of Urban Development before installing a carport, and to obtain a building permit. The pending zoning rewrite would formally define carports, but it is not yet in force.