Whittier, CA Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Carports in the incorporated City of Whittier are regulated as covered parking structures under the city's zoning code rather than by a standalone carport ordinance. Off-street parking (including covered parking) is listed as a permitted accessory use in Whittier Municipal Code Section 18.10.020(D). Structure placement is governed by Section 18.10.030(C): no building or structure may be located in a required yard area except as expressly provided, and the distance between buildings must be at least five feet. Like other accessory buildings, a detached carport in the rear one-third of the lot can follow the same lot-line rules that apply to detached non-dwelling accessory buildings (with eave and roof-drainage limits). Carports may not be enclosed for storage in a way that obstructs required parking, and home-based-business materials may not be stored in a carport except in cabinets/shelves that do not block the required parking area (Sec. 18.10.020(C)(1)). A carport (covered parking) may be converted to an accessory dwelling unit under Section 18.10.020(I); when that happens, the lost off-street parking spaces do not have to be replaced, consistent with state ADU law. A building permit is generally required to construct a carport because it exceeds the 120-sq-ft permit-exempt threshold the city applies to tool/storage sheds. These are city ordinances; unincorporated South/West/East Whittier follow Los Angeles County standards instead. Specific carport dimension limits beyond the general yard/placement rules were not located in a fetched city source.