Westminster, CA Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Westminster's off-street parking standards are set by Municipal Code Chapter 17.320 (Off-Street Parking and Loading), with residential development standards in Chapter 17.210. Per the city's parking design standards, in the R1 (single-family) zone, carports or coverings may be permitted only in addition to the minimum number of garage spaces required by the Title—meaning a carport supplements, but does not substitute for, the required enclosed garage parking, subject to the R1 development standards (Table 3-5, Parking Requirements by Land Use). Parking spaces generally must be located only in garages, carports, parking structures, or areas approved for guest parking. For SB 9 (state-mandated) two-unit developments in R1, the city's code allows required and non-required parking to be provided within an enclosed garage, a carport, as open spaces, or in tandem, so long as tandem spaces serve the same unit—an accommodation that tracks state law. Carports are accessory structures and must also respect the applicable setback and height standards for accessory structures (WMC 17.400.130) and the underlying zone. These covered-parking rules are specific to the incorporated City of Westminster and differ from unincorporated Orange County standards.