SD Information Bulletin 205

Development Services OSD Home | Permits, Approvals & Inspections | News & Programs | Zoning | Codes & Regulations | Forms & Publications | Public Hearings, Meetings & Notices | Fees | Records | Building & Land Use Enforcement Carports INFORMATION BULLETIN 205 September 2025 View All Information Bulletins IN THIS BULLETIN: • Definition • When is a Permit Required? • Submittal Requirements • Construction Specifications • Public Property Curb Cuts • Options for Service • Project Fees • Inspections • References • Figures and Tables • Previous Versions This Information Bulletin describes the minimum requirements for obtaining a Building Permit for carports accessory to a single-family dwelling unit or duplex. All carports shall be constructed to comply with this information bulletin, or product evaluation report, research published by International Code Council Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) or a similar approved product evaluation agency. I. Definition A carport is a covered motor vehicle parking structure accessory to a one or two-family dwelling units.

It may be freestanding or attached to another structure. A carport cannot exceed 1,000 square feet in area or one story in height and must be entirely open on two or more sides except for structural supports per California Residential Code (CRC) R309.2. There can be no enclosed use above a carport. Any carport which does not meet the above definition must comply with all regulations relating to a private garage (CRC R309.2). II. When is a Permit Required? A building permit is required for any new carport or for repair or enclosure of an existing carport. A final inspection must be passed by the City of San Diego before the work is considered complete. III. Submittal Requirements A. Forms 1. Project Contacts Information (DS-345) PDF 2. Owner-Builder Verification Form (DS-3042) PDF This form is required if the property owner is acting as the general contractor. If you are not a licensed contractor and intend on performing the work yourself or hiring licensed subcontractors, an Owner-Builder Verification form must be completed and submitted with your project documents. B. Plans

Plans must be drawn to scale and be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the proposed work. Existing and proposed construction should be clearly shown. Plans must show that all work conforms to the provisions of the current edition of the California Residential Code (CRC), Zoning Ordinances and all other relevant laws, ordinances and regulations applicable in the City of San Diego. 1. Site plan and vicinity map (See Figure 1). See Information Bulletin 122 PDF for detailed information. 2. Foundation and framing plans. Provide one of the following: A. Building permit template (specifications in this information bulletin) with the proposed footing sizes, rafter sizes, and beam sizes highlighted, or B. Copy of (ICC-ES) evaluation reports approved plan available from your material supplier, or C. Copy of any other plans. These plans should include a roof framing plan, foundation plan, elevations, cross-sections, and connection details. The copy also shall be permanently incorporated and imprinted into plans submitted for permit approval.

Structural calculations may be required for designs that do not conform to this information bulletin. 3. Floor plans. For carports within six feet of a dwelling, include a floor plan of the dwelling and show the following information: A. Use and dimensions of all rooms adjacent to the carport. B. Size and type of all windows and doors from those rooms. IV. Construction Specifications A. Structural Design Criteria 1. Size of rafters and beams (See Table B and C). 2. Size of posts shall be based on the maximum height of the posts above the carport slab: A. Height from 0 to 8 feet: 4x4 minimum B. Height from 8 to 10 feet: 6x6 minimum 3. Square pad footing under carport posts (See Table A). 4. Carport posts and beams must be interconnected with diagonal braces, with each brace connected at the lower and upper end per AISC 360-16. Diaphragm type bracing may be substituted if of similar size and fastened as required in this Information Bulletin. 5.

Porches, lanais, carports, or garages that are located near property lines shall be designed to comply with all applicable setback requirements.

5. Posts shall be anchored to foundations with a standard approved post base installed per the manufacturer's installation instructions (Figure 5). 6. When it is desired to connect and support one side of the carport from a structure by attaching it directly to the dwelling, the beam may be replaced on the side attached to the dwelling unit with a ledger having the same size as the rafters (See Figures 7 & 8). Carport rafters shall not be solely supported by the existing rafter tails or eave fascia of the house. 7. Construction material specifications for the carport shall be as follows: A. Concrete mix for footings and slab must meet a minimum compressive strength of fc = 2,500 psi. B. Lumber must be Douglas fir-larch No. 2 or better. All lumber must be preservative-treated or naturally resistant to decay and termites when required by the CRC (Section 2303.1.8). C. Allowable soil bearing pressure is assumed to be not less than 1,500 PSF. B. Carports shall be covered with listed Class A roof coverings.

If nominal one-inch-thick roof sheathing boards are proposed, the roof framing may include rafters spaced at not more than 32" on center. Roofs shall be sloped 1/4 inch per 12 inches minimum. C. If carport posts are located less than five feet from the property line, the carport must be protected with a one-hour fire-resistive wall extending from the foundation to the underside of the roof sheathing on the side of the carport parallel to the property line [CRC Table R302.1(1)]. No openings shall be permitted in this wall if it is located less than three feet from the property line. Area of wall openings such as doors and windows shall not exceed 25% of gross area of the wall when the wall will be located at a distance between three and five feet from the property line [CRC Table R302.1(1)]. D. No fire protection is required for the common wall between a one- or two-dwelling unit structure and a carport with no enclosed spaces above and having at least two or more sides that are completely open (CRC R302.6). E.

When exterior wall openings are required for light and/or ventilation and they are located in the exterior wall of the dwelling common to an attached carport, the carport's roof shall be located not less than seven feet above the parking surface when measured to the underside of the rafters (CRC R305.1). F. All electrical wiring and equipment must comply with regulations for exterior installation. G. Carports located in the environmentally sensitive lands and brush management zones must comply with Sections 143.0101 and 142.0412 of the SDMC. H. Carports located in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone or within Brush Management Zones, governed by the City of San Diego's Brush Management Ordinances, may need to comply with c additional fire protection requirements. V. Public Property Curb Cuts Cutting the curb, closing an existing curb cut or paving a driveway on public property requires a separate permit and must comply with parking regulations Division 5 of the SDMC (142.0501). See Information Bulletin 165. Obtaining a Public Right-of-Way Permit for Standard Public Improvements.

VI. Options for Service Plans for a carport require a building permit and must be submitted electronically through the online portal, selecting Building Permit. Project Fees The following fees are required to be paid prior to review unless otherwise indicated below. For your convenience, DSD offers online payments. Payment may also be made in person by cash, check, debit card, Visa or MasterCard credit cards. Checks shall be in the exact amount, drawn on US banks, and made payable to the "City Treasurer." Refer to Information Bulletin 501, Fee Schedule, Construction Permits – Structures, for all applicable fees. Please note that plan check fees and some administrative fees are non-refundable, but inspection fees may be refundable. For additional refund information, see the Refund Policy noted within Refund Application Form DS-721. Inspections For inspection requirements, refer to Information Bulletin 120 References • San Diego Municipal Code (SDMC) • Building Permit Template • Project Submittal Manual, Section 2A Figures and Tables Figure 1 – Sample Carport Site Plan SURVEY MARKER

EXISTING SINGLE DWELLING UNIT 60' PROPERTY LINE 20' 5' PROPOSED CARPORT 20' 10' 10' 20' DRIVEWAY 20' SIDEWALK 20' 50' CURB CENTER LINE OF STREET N Figure 2 – Typical Carport See figure 7 and 8 for ledger details For ledger to unit attachment see Figure 7 & 8 See Figure 3 post to beam details Approved U-type hanger Rafter spacing Rafter span 12" Min. Post spacing Main beam spacing Continuous solid blocking at beam between rafters 12" Min. see Table A & Figure 5 for footing details WOOD CARPORTS IN AREAS WITHIN VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES OR CITY OF SAN DIEGO BRUSH MANAGEMENT ZONES ARE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS PER CRC R337.4 Figure 3 – Post-To-Girder Connections

8" 3-1/2" 1-1/2" 3" 3-1/2" 1-1/2" 10" Approved post cap or 7 gauge steel "L" straps, 1/2" wide each side with (4) 5/8" diameter bolts Approved post cap or 7 gauge steel "L" straps, 1/2" wide each side with (4) 5/8" diameter bolts 18" Min. 2" typ. 2-1/2" typ. 18" Min. Brace each way at corner conditions Provide 4X4 diagonal brace at all post-to-beam connections Two 1/2" diameter lag bolts top & bottom, 3" penetration (typical), 1" offset Do not over countersunk lag bolts CORNER CONDITION INTERIOR CONDITION Figure 4 – Section View of a Carport Drip flash/gravel stop Rolled/torch - down , or built-up roof 5' Min. 1' Max. projection. 26 Ga. galv. flashing strip Boundary nail 1/2" exterior grade CDX. 2 X Roof framing A ATTACHED CARPORT Slope (1/4" / 12") 2X Blocking @ plywood diaphragm edges with boundary nailing See Figure 3 Ledger (Figures 7 and 8) 7' Min. 12' 0" Max. 3-1/2" concrete slab with #3 @18" o.c. @mid depth See Figure 5 5' Min. Drip flash/gravel stop Rolled/torch - down , or built-up roof 1' Max. projection. Boundary nail 1/2" exterior grade CDX. 2 X Roof framing

B DETACHED CARPORT Rafters (Table B) Approved Beam hanger Slope (1/4" / 12") Beam (Table 3) See Figure 3 Beam (Table 3) 2X Blocking @ 4' O.C. Diagonal Brace (Figures 2 & 3) 7' Min. 12' 0" Max. Diagonal Brace each direction Table C 3-1/2" concrete slab with #3 @18" o.c. @mid depth

Note: This example illustrate the most common case. WOOD PATIO COVERS IN AREAS WITHIN VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES OR CITY of SAN DIEGO BRUSH MANAGEMENT ZONES MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Figure 5 – Typical Footing Detail CASE 1 / ANCHOR AND FOOTING DETAIL, CONCRETE SLAB Simpson CBS Base or Equal 3-1/2" concrete slab with #3 @18" o.c. each way @mid depth Post ⊂ Pad ⊂ Post elevated 1" min. above concrete or provide treated wood. 1" – Natural grade #4 top and bottom 12" 3' Min. A Note: Extended continuous footing 12" beyond end post CASE 2 / ANCHOR AND FOOTING DETAIL, ISOLATED PIER Post Simpson CBS Base or Equal #4 @ 12" each way (minimum 2-#4 each way top and bottom) 8" 1" 12" Pavement (R309.2) Secure footing at posts 1.5 x A At interior post increase footing dimension (Table A) by 150% Figure 6 - Typical Eave Details 1/2" CDX ply sheathing 2X roof framing Drip flashing 2x blocking with (2) A34 clip at each blocking 2X Fascia Beam with post cap Post Figure 7 – Typical Rafter Attachment Details Extended roofing min. 4" beyond edge of flashing. 2X Roof framing

Rolled/touched down or built up roof. 1/2" CDX ply sheathing 2X roof framing Rafter Hanger 2X ledger (same depth as rafter) with 3/8" X 5" lag bolt @ 16" O.C. to top plate. (See Figure 8) See figure 5

Figure 8 – Typical Ledger Details 3/8" diameter by 5" min. length lag bolt with washer or machine bolt with nut as for both lateral and vertical support. Rafter with hanger 1.5" Min 1 1/2" Min 1" Min 16" 16" WOOD CARPORTS IN AREAS WITHIN VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES OR CITY of SAN DIEGO BRUSH MANAGEMENT ZONES MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Table A – Minimum Square Footing Size (inches)* Post Spacing (Feet) | Rafter Span (Feet)¹ | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 4 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 6 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 20 16 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 18 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 22 20 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 24 * See dimension A on Figure 5 ¹For footing reinforcement, See Figure 5 Table B – Minimum Rafter Spacing (inches) Rafter Span

(Feet) | Rafter Spacing Center-to-Center (inches)¹,² | 12 | 16 | 24 | 5/16" plywood sheathing | 3/8" plywood sheathing | 1/2" plywood sheathing 6 | 2x4 | 2x4 | 2x4 7 | 2x4 | 2x4 | 2x4 8 | 2x4 | 2x4 | 2x6

9 2 x 4 2 x 6 2 x 6 10 2 x 6 2 x 6 2 x 6 11 2 x 6 2 x 6 2 x 6 12 2 x 6 2 x 6 2 x 6 13 2 x 6 2 x 6 2 x 8 14 2 x 6 2 x 6 2 x 8 15 2 x 6 2 x 8 2 x 8 16 2 x 8 2 x 8 2 x 10 17 2 x 8 2 x 8 2 x 10 18 2 x 8 2 x 8 2 x 10 19 2 x 8 2 x 10 2 x 12 20 2 x 8 2 x 10 2 x 12 ¹ Deflection based on L/240 (LL only) ² Load Duration Factor = 1

Table C – Minimum Beam Sizes (inches) Post Spacing Rafter Span (Feet) ¹,² (Feet) 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 4 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 4 6 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 6 8 4 x 4 4 x 4 4 x 6 4 x 6 4 x 6 4 x 6 4 x 6 4 x 6 4 x 6 10 4 x 4 4 x 6 4 x 6 4 x 6 4 x 6 4 x 6 4 x 6 4 x 8 4 x 8 12 4 x 6 4 x 6 4 x 6 4 x 8 4 x 8 4 x 8 4 x 8 4 x 8 4 x 10 6 x 8 6 x 8 6 x 8 6 x 8 14 4 x 6 4 x 8 4 x 8 4 x 8 4 x 8 4 x 10 4 x 10 4 x 10 4 x 10 6 x 8 6 x 8 6 x 8 6 x 10 6 x 10 6 x 10

16 4 x 8 4 x 8 4 x 8 4 x 10 4 x 10 4 x 10 4 x 12 4 x 12 4 x 14 6 x 8 6 x 8 6 x 8 6 x 8 6 x 10 6 x 10 6 x 10 6 x 10 18 4 x 8 4 x 8 4 x 10 4 x 10 4 x 10 4 x 12 4 x 12 4 x 14 4 x 14 6 x 8 6 x 8 6 x 8 6 x 10 6 x 10 6 x 10 6 x 12 6 x 12 20 4 x 8 4 x 10 4 x 10 4 x 12 4 x 12 4 x 14 4 x 14 6 x 8 6 x 8 6 x 10 6 x 10 6 x 10 6 x 12 6 x 12 6 x 12 6 x 14 ¹ Deflection based on L/360 (LL only) ² Load Duration Factor = 1 Previous Versions of this Information Bulletin

This section contains previous versions of this Information Bulletin by the last day they were effective. • 2025-09-30 IIB-205 PDF