Residents to Provide Input on Proposed Carport Zoning Regulations

Residents were invited to offer input regarding proposed amendments to residential carport guidelines on Sept. 15.

Proposed Changes

• Prohibit the construction of carports that are visible from a street, regardless of the setback, without a zoning case.
• Establish a formal policy on where residential carports might be appropriate and where they should not be constructed, including guidelines such as the age of the house, whether the house is adjacent to a major thoroughfare and whether there are private deed restrictions prohibiting carports.
• Repeal the current zoning ordinance provisions for carport zoning cases that establish minimum standards and a reduced zoning application fee.
• Require all carport zoning requests to provide detailed design information showing how the proposed carport will complement the design of the existing house.
• Repeal the 16 existing “carport blocks” approved in the early 1990s that allow carports along certain streets with only a building permit.
• Require any carport constructed without a building permit to be removed prior to applying for a zoning change to authorize the carport.
• Require the construction of a two-car garage for any new house 1,400 square feet or larger.