Carport Rules: Garden Grove vs Midway City
How do carport rules rules compare between Garden Grove, CA and Midway City, CA?
Garden Grove and Midway City have similar restriction levels.
Garden Grove, CA
Orange County
Garden Grove regulates carports as accessory structures under Title 9 Zoning. Detached carports must observe a 5-foot side and rear setback, 10-foot street-side setback, and a 20-foot front setback. Any garage or carport door opening directly to a street or alley must sit at least 20 feet back so a parked vehicle does not overhang the right-of-way. A building permit is required.
View full Garden Grove rules →Midway City, CA
Orange County
Carports in unincorporated Orange County are governed by Section 7-9-70.3(d) of the Codified Ordinances, which requires carports to comply with main-building setbacks and provides specific rules for entry location, alley/driveway access, and placement in rear or interior side yards. Section 7-9-70.3(c)(2) requires 28 feet of unobstructed maneuvering area in front of a carport, and each covered space must be at least 10 feet by 20 feet under Section 7-9-70.3(a)(1). Building permits are required under Title 7 (adopted CBC).
View full Midway City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Garden Grove | Midway City |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | GGMC 9.08.040 | - |
| Side/Rear Setback | 5 ft | - |
| Street-Side Setback | 10 ft | - |
| Front Setback | 20 ft | - |
| Garage/Carport Door to Street | 20 ft (18 ft on 5K-6K sf lot with roll-up) | - |
| Alley Setback | 20 ft from centerline / 5 ft from property line | - |
| Wall-to-Wall Separation | 6 ft from main building | - |
| Permit | Building permit required | Required (CBC Title 24) |
| Building Code | 2022 CRC / CBC as adopted | - |
| Planning Phone | (714) 741-5312 | - |
| Authority | - | OC Codified Ord. Sec. 7-9-70.3, 7-9-116 |
| Min Covered Stall | - | 10 ft x 20 ft (Sec. 7-9-70.3(a)(1)) |
| Maneuvering Area | - | 28 ft (Sec. 7-9-70.3(c)(2)) |
| Setback Default | - | Same as main building |
| Detached Carports | - | Allowed in rear / interior side yard (Sec. 7-9-70.3(d)(3)) |
| Accessory Height | - | 12 ft (8 ft if within 3 ft of line) |
| ADU Conversion | - | Allowed; no parking replacement (Sec. 7-9-90(d)(3)) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Garden Grove FAQ
How far does a carport door have to be from the street in Garden Grove?
At least 20 feet from the front property line so a parked car cannot overhang the sidewalk. On a 5,000 or 6,000 square foot lot the setback can be reduced to 18 feet only if the garage uses a roll-up door.
What are the side and rear setbacks for a detached carport?
5 feet to interior side and rear lot lines and 10 feet to a street-side lot line under Garden Grove Municipal Code 9.08.040. Walls of a detached accessory must also be at least 6 feet from the main house wall.
Do I need a building permit for a carport in Garden Grove?
Yes. Carports require a building permit from Garden Grove Building Services and must meet the 2022 California Residential and Building Codes as adopted by the City. Confirm specifics with Planning at (714) 741-5312.
Midway City FAQ
Can I build a detached carport in my rear or side yard in unincorporated Orange County?
Yes. Section 7-9-70.3(d)(3) of the Orange County Codified Ordinances allows detached garages and carports to be placed any place within the required rear or interior side setback area, except within the corner-visibility zones where fences and walls are limited to 3.5 feet under Section 7-9-64. The carport must still meet the 10 ft by 20 ft minimum stall size and be permitted under the adopted California Building Code.
How much driveway space do I need in front of a carport?
Section 7-9-70.3(c)(2) requires 28 feet of unobstructed maneuvering area, measured from the outward end of the parking stall, in front of a carport. That requirement may be reduced by up to 4 feet in some configurations under Section 7-9-70.3(c)(4). For attached or detached side-entry garages, the unobstructed area required is 30 feet under Section 7-9-70.3(c)(1).
Can I convert my existing carport to an ADU?
Yes. Section 7-9-90(a)(2) of the Codified Ordinances allows conversion of an existing accessory structure into an ADU, and Section 7-9-90(d)(3) provides that no replacement parking is required when a carport is converted to or removed for an ADU. The conversion is processed ministerially under Government Code 65852.2 and must comply with the California Building Code as adopted under Title 7.
Compare other topics
See how Garden Grove and Midway City 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