Multnomah County, OR Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Multnomah County, OR, 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
- Governing zone
- LR-5 Urban Low Density Residential base zone
- Front setback (detached)
- 50 feet from front lot line minimum
- Size limit
- Can't exceed main house height/footprint
- Yard coverage cap
- Max 25% of required yard
- Civil fine range
- $45 to $3,500 per day
Summary
In unincorporated Multnomah County's LR-5 residential zone, a detached carport must sit behind the house's rear line or at least 50 feet from the front lot line, and can't exceed the main house's height or footprint.
(A) Accessory buildings such as garages, carports, studios, pergolas, private workshops, playhouses, private greenhouses or other similar structures related to the dwelling in design, whether attached or detached, provided: ... (3) If detached and located behind the rear-most line of the main building, or a minimum of 50 feet from the front lot line, whichever is greater, a one-story accessory building may be located adjacent to or on a rear and/or side lot line not abutting on a street. (4) A detached accessory building shall occupy no more than 25 percent of a required yard.
Full Breakdown
Multnomah County's Zoning Code treats a carport as an accessory building alongside garages, studios and workshops. In the LR-5 Urban Low Density Residential base zone, a detached carport can't be taller or larger in ground-floor area than the main house, and if it's freestanding it must sit behind the rear line of the dwelling or at least 50 feet back from the front lot line, whichever is farther, before it's allowed on a rear or side property line. A detached carport also can't cover more than 25% of a required yard. This governs unincorporated county land only; Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village set their own accessory-structure rules.
Violations & Fines
Multnomah County's Code Compliance Specialist can issue a Notice of Violation for an unpermitted or misplaced carport, with civil fines of $45 to $3,500 per day of noncompliance under MCC § 39.1560.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a carport anywhere on my lot in unincorporated Multnomah County?
Does this rule apply if I live in Portland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Multnomah County
How Multnomah County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Multnomah County to another location·View the Oregon accessory structures overview
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