Yakima, WA Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Carports in Yakima are accessory structures governed by YMC Chapter 15.05 (Site Design and Improvement Standards). Detached carports follow YMC 15.05 Table 5-1 setback minimums for accessory structures — typically 5 ft from side and rear property lines in SR, R-1, R-2, and R-3 zones, located behind the principal building (or no closer to the front property line than the zone's front yard setback). Attached carports follow the principal-building setbacks of the underlying zone (front, side, rear). Maximum height is generally 15-20 ft or the principal building height, whichever is less, with lot coverage subject to YMC 15.05 Table 5-2 (typically 50-60 percent impervious in R-1). Construction requires a building permit from the Yakima Code Administration Division (509-575-6126) under the 2018 Washington State Building Code (RCW 19.27 + WAC 51-50). Required design checks include engineered post and roof framing, anchorage to footings to resist Yakima Valley basic wind speed (90-100 mph per WAC 51-50) and Seismic Design Category D1 lateral forces, and snow load per WAC 51-50 (typically 25-30 psf in the Yakima Valley but higher at elevation). Permit fees typically run $200-$500 plus plan review. Permanently enclosing a carport with walls is a structural alteration converting it from IRC Group U-occupancy carport to Group U garage — triggering a new building permit, fire-separation between the new garage and any habitable interior (1/2 inch gypsum board per IRC R302.6), an overhead garage door or equivalent, vehicle barrier curbs, and a code-compliant slab. Further enclosing a carport-turned-garage with full HVAC and habitable use is a separate change of occupancy to R-3 — see Garage Conversions. Manufactured carport kits (steel-frame, fabric-cover) sold at home centers still require a building permit unless they qualify as a temporary structure under WAC 51-50 (typically 180 days). Yakima Valley wind speed exceeds the design specs of many off-the-shelf carport kits without ground-anchor upgrades.