Patio Cover

Helpful Resources

A building permit is required for patio/porch cover (whether attached to your home or freestanding in your yard). Many neighborhoods have their own distinct rules regarding exterior materials. Some of these rules are City Ordinances and some are private deed/HOA restrictions. The City will enforce City Ordinances, but it is the homeowner's responsibility to know and abide by private deed/HOA restrictions.

Requirements

  • Patio/Porch covers are not allowed in the required front, rear, or side yard setbacks when adjacent to a street (typically the setback is 20 feet from the property line but can be as much as 35 feet, depending on the zoning for the neighborhood).
  • Patio/Porch covers must be built of typical building materials. Unpainted wood, tin, plastic, plain concrete blocks, corrugated metal, canvas, vinyl, or similar materials are not allowed.
  • The roof of any patio/porch cover cannot be corrugated metal or plastic. Roof materials may consist of composition shingles (if roof pitch is at least 2:12); rolled roofing; built-up roof; metal panels type R, U, S-36, 72, or A; or any material allowed by the Building Official.
  • Patio/Porch covers that are attached to the home must meet the same setback requirements from the property lines that the house must meet (typically 10 feet from the rear yard and 6 feet from the side yard).
  • Patio/Porch covers that are located between the home and the side property line must meet the same setback requirements from the property lines that the house must meet (typically 6 feet).
  • Distances are measured from the patio/porch posts to the property lines. Patio covers in the rear yard may have a 2-foot roof overhang; porch covers in the front yard may have a 3-foot roof overhang; patio covers in the side yard may have a 3-foot roof overhang.