Yuba City, CA Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

Yuba City Municipal Code §8-5.5001(C) governs residential accessory buildings including carports. Section (C)(3) specifies that 'No accessory building, except garages or carports, may encroach on the front half of any lot or be within 50 feet of the front property line, whichever is less' - meaning carports (along with garages) are the only accessory structures permitted in the front yard area. Carports remain subject to lot coverage limits (C)(1), cannot be built before the main residence (C)(2), and follow the same tiered height/yard reduction table in (C)(4): a carport up to 8 ft tall has no rear/side yard requirement; over 8 to 10 ft requires 5 ft rear and 5 ft side; over 10 to 15 ft requires 10 ft rear, 5 ft side; over 15 to 20 ft requires 25 ft rear (or 20% of lot depth, whichever is less) and 5 ft side. A building permit is required - the 120 sq ft shed exemption does not apply to carports because carports are not 'tool/storage sheds, playhouses or similar use.' Height is measured from adjacent finished grade (soil, not the slab) to the highest point.