Committee debates lift-or-limit approach to Garland carport rules; staff recommends legalizing existing structures

Al Raymond, managing director of Development Services, presented a review of Garland's carport ordinance and offered recommendations on repairs, nonconforming carports, enforcement and appeals during the Development Services Committee meeting on Oct. 14.

Raymond told the committee the current ordinance dates to an April 2006 adoption that was incorporated into the 2015 Garland Development Code. He summarized existing provisions: carports and canopies generally are not permitted in front yards or side yards of single-family homes; carports must comply with height limits relative to the primary structure; metal carports are allowed in rear yards if they come off a paved alley; and carports constructed after the 2006 effective date are the primary focus of the ordinance.

Raymond proposed several changes, including allowing metal carports in front yards if they are painted to blend with the house, clarifying that carports attached to a house should be treated as a portion of the building, and setting proposed standards: side setback of 3 feet, a rear-carport size cap near 400 square feet and a rear setback discussion of 20 feet (committee members suggested shorter rear setbacks in many neighborhoods). For enforcement he urged a pragmatic approach: consider all existing carports legal nonconforming rather than require staff to retroactively permit or remove large numbers of structures, but use stop-work orders and complaint-driven follow-up to address obvious safety or nuisance problems.

Council members and staff discussed design standards, enforcement practicality and equity. Several members said paint alone was insufficient and asked staff to develop design standards that require carports to be visually compatible with the house (matching rooflines, trim or materials). Council discussion also focused on enforcement limits: much construction occurs on weekends, and staff resources are constrained; several members said retroactive enforcement to remove existing carports would be impractical and politically fraught. There was debate about whether to treat all existing carports as legal nonconforming; the committee leaned toward legalization of existing structures with a stronger design standard for new construction.

Raymond said proposed next steps include drafting revised standards (including possible size limits, setbacks and design guidance) and returning to committee with a design standard package; council members suggested December would be an appropriate timeline for a design-package update.