A carport protects vehicles from sun, rain, snow and hail for much less than a garage. The right size depends on the number of vehicles, how much room you need to open doors and whether you want storage too.
Width per vehicle
An average car is about 6 ft wide, and a full-size pickup about 6.5 to 7 ft without the mirrors. To open the doors comfortably and walk around, plan:
- about 10 to 12 ft of width per vehicle, with 11 ft as a comfortable middle;
- 20 ft of depth for most cars and SUVs, 22 to 24 ft for long-bed pickups or to walk around the front.
A single carport is often 12 × 20 ft, and a double 20 to 24 ft wide. The calculator multiplies the number of vehicles by the width per vehicle and adds any extra width for storage or a path:
width = vehicles × width per vehicle + extra width, area = width × depth
Two cars at 11 ft and 20 ft deep give 22 × 20 ft, or 440 sq ft.
Height
Allow at least 7 ft of clear height for cars and 10 to 12 ft for RVs, boats on trailers or trucks with roof racks. Check the height of the tallest vehicle with any cargo box, and the slope of the roof, since the low side sets the clearance.
Snow and wind
Metal carport kits are rated for a snow load and a wind speed. In snowy or windy regions, choose a kit certified for your local ground snow load and anchor it properly to concrete footings or a slab. Clear heavy snow before it builds up.
Permits and rules
A carport is a structure, so most towns require a building permit, and zoning sets how close it can be to property lines and how tall it can be. Some neighborhoods and homeowners associations restrict or ban them. Ask your building department before you order a kit.
Cost
Steel kits can start around $10 to $20 per sq ft installed for basic designs, while custom wood or aluminum carports often cost $25 to $60 per sq ft or more. Enter a local price to estimate the budget, and add the slab, the permit and any electrical work.