Carrollton, TX Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Carrollton's Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (updated April 2026) devotes Article 7, Section K.3 to accessory structures in every Single-Family Residential district (SF-12/20, SF-10/18, SF-8.4/18 and SF-8.4/16). A shed cannot go up on a vacant lot: Section K.3(a) requires a principal building already in place. Prefab sheds built from cargo containers won't pass either; Section K.3(b) bars 'trailers, containers, shipping containers, commercial boxes, vehicles or similar structures' from serving as accessory buildings. Each lot, or set of adjoining lots under one owner, is capped at one accessory building plus one detached garage under Section K.3(d), and Section K.3(c) forbids giving a shed its own utility meter separate from the house.

Placement is restricted too: Section K.3(e) keeps accessory buildings from sitting between the home's front facade and the street, and Section K.3(f) requires screening from any adjacent public street unless the structure is a garage or carport that opens directly onto that street. A shed can only double as a dwelling unit if the lot has at least 20,000 square feet of buildable area under Section K.3(g).

Size drives the construction standard under Section K.3(h): sheds from 121 to 240 square feet need metal or exterior-grade wood siding, or materials matching the house as closely as possible; 241 to 600 square feet must match the house's material percentage and type; anything over 600 square feet must also match the main home's architectural style, including roof pitch and window design. Article 7, Section L.3(b) caps accessory building height at 15 feet across all four SF districts, five feet below the 36-foot cap allowed for the dwelling itself.