Clark County, WA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Clark County, WA, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Classification
- Detached accessory building
- R1 height (lot <=20k)
- 18 feet
- R1 height (lot >20k)
- 35 feet
- Garage before house
- Allowed via recorded covenant
- Code section
- CCC 40.260.010
Summary
Carports and detached garages are accessory buildings under CCC 40.260.010. In R1 residential zones they cannot exceed 18 feet in height on lots of 20,000 sq ft or less, or 35 feet on larger lots, and must meet the zone's setbacks. A freestanding garage can be built before the main
In areas zoned R1-20, R1-10, R1-7.5, R1-6 and R1-5: a. On lots less than or equal to twenty thousand (20,000) square feet in area, no accessory building shall exceed eighteen (18) feet in height. b. On lots larger than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet in area, no accessory building shall exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height.
Full Breakdown
Clark County treats carports and detached garages as detached accessory buildings governed by CCC 40.260.010. Height limits mirror those for sheds: 18 feet in R1 zones on lots up to 20,000 sq ft, 35 feet on larger lots, and the district maximum in other zones. Under CCC 40.260.010(C), one freestanding garage may be built before the principal residence only if permits are issued for both, the garage has no habitable floors, and a recorded covenant restricts it to owner use and household/construction storage until the house is built and occupied. Carports must comply with the zone's dimensional and setback standards.
Violations & Fines
A carport or garage exceeding the height limit, encroaching on setbacks, or used as habitable/rental space before the house is built violates CCC 40.260.010 and draws civil code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a garage before I build my house?
How tall can a detached carport be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clark County
How Clark County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Clark County to another location·View the Washington accessory structures overview
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