Carport Rules: Attleboro vs New Bedford
How do carport rules rules compare between Attleboro, MA and New Bedford, MA?
Attleboro and New Bedford have similar restriction levels.
Attleboro, MA
Bristol County
Attleboro regulates carports as accessory structures under the City Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 17 of the City Code). Section 17-3.5(7) governs accessory use regulations. Carports must satisfy the dimensional and setback requirements of the underlying residence district (Single Residence SR or General Residence GR) and must sit on the same lot as the principal dwelling. Building permits are issued under 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code) by Attleboro's Building Department.
View full Attleboro rules →New Bedford, MA
Bristol County
New Bedford regulates carports as accessory structures under Chapter 9 (Comprehensive Zoning), Section 2330. Accessory buildings cannot exceed 18 feet in height (Sec. 2333), must sit at least 30 feet back from the front street line (Sec. 2334), and must keep at least 4 feet from the rear lot line for detached garages (Sec. 2331). Accessory structures may not occupy more than 40 percent of the required rear yard (Sec. 2332). Building permits are issued under 780 CMR.
View full New Bedford rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Attleboro | New Bedford |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Section | Sec. 17-3.5(7) - Accessory Uses | Ch. 9 Sec. 2330 |
| Districts | SR and GR dimensional standards apply | - |
| Permit Authority | Attleboro Building Department | - |
| Building Code | 780 CMR (10th Ed.) | - |
| Permit Threshold | >200 sf or attached | - |
| Height Limit | - | 18 ft (Sec. 2333) |
| Front Setback | - | 30 ft (Sec. 2334) |
| Rear Setback (Detached) | - | 4 ft (Sec. 2331) |
| Rear Yard Coverage Cap | - | 40% (Sec. 2332) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Attleboro FAQ
Do I need a permit to build a carport in Attleboro?
Yes for almost all carports. 780 CMR §R105.2 exempts one-story detached accessory structures of 200 square feet or less, but a typical carport sized to fit a vehicle exceeds that, and any carport attached to the dwelling is part of the principal structure. Attleboro's Building Department issues the building, electrical, and structural permits, and zoning compliance with Section 17-3.5(7) must be confirmed first.
How close can an Attleboro carport be to my property line?
Attleboro's Section 17-3.5(7) (accessory use regulations) requires compliance with the side and rear setback of the underlying residence district - the exact distance varies by zone (SR Single Residence or GR General Residence). An attached carport must meet the principal structure's setbacks. Confirm the figure for your lot with the Building Department or apply for a variance through the Zoning Board of Appeals.
New Bedford FAQ
Do I need a permit to build a carport in New Bedford?
Yes for almost all carports. 780 CMR §R105.2 exempts one-story detached accessory structures of 200 square feet or less, but a typical vehicle-sized carport exceeds that threshold, and any carport attached to the dwelling is part of the principal structure. The New Bedford Inspectional Services Department issues the building, electrical, and structural permits, and zoning compliance with Chapter 9, Section 2330 must be confirmed first.
How close can a New Bedford carport be to my property line?
Under Chapter 9, Section 2331, a detached carport must sit at least 4 feet from the rear lot line and meet the principal dwelling's side-yard setback. Section 2334 prohibits any part of the structure from being within 30 feet of the front street line. An attached carport must meet the principal structure's full setbacks. Variances are heard by the New Bedford Zoning Board of Appeals.
Compare other topics
See how Attleboro and New Bedford compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool