Fort Myers, FL Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Fort Myers' Land Development Code treats a carport as an accessory structure and generally holds it to the same setback lines as buildings in its zoning district. A carport can never sit within the principal building's front setback area or the front half of the lot, and no accessory structure setback may ever be cut below five feet. Small accessory structures under 200 square feet in residential districts get a break: a five-foot side-interior and rear setback. Detached garages are carved out of the general rule and follow separate garage standards, so confirm whether a structure counts as a carport or a garage before assuming which setback line applies. In Master Development Plan (MDP) communities, a further exception lets front setbacks for accessory garages or carports serving multifamily buildings drop to ten feet where the carport is reached from an internal accessway rather than the abutting street.