Covered Patio / Carport

REGULATIONS GOVERNING

PINAL COUNTY COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

BUILDING SAFETY DIVISION

P.O. BOX 2973, FLORENCE, AZ. 85132

85 N. FLORENCE STREET, 1

FLOOR

(520) 509-3555 FAX (520) 866-6517

www.pinalcountyaz.gov

INFORMATION

BULLETIN

006

Nov 2022

June 2019

This information bulletin describes the minimum

requirements for obtaining covered patio or carport permits

for residential buildings. Please reference Bulletin 003

(Permit Exemptions) to determine whether your project

requires a building permit. The minimum requirements for a

covered patio or carport plan submittal are attached for your

use. If your project exceeds the attached details, please

provide two sets of drawings specific to your project.

I. DEFINITION

1. Patio covers are one-story, roofed structures not

more than 12 feet above grade and used only for recreational,

outdoor living purposes.

2. Carports are a motor vehicle storage structure

accessory to a single family dwelling or duplex. It may be

freestanding or attached to another structure. A carport one

story in height must be entirely open on at least two sides

except for structural supports. There can be no enclosed use

above a carport. Any structure which does not comply with

the above definition must comply with all regulations relating

to a garage.

B. Covered patios/carport covers may be attached or

detached and are permitted only as accessory to one- or two-

family dwellings or lodging houses or to individual dwelling

units in multiple dwelling unit buildings. Covered patios

cannot be used as storage structures.

C. Covered patios/carports must be open on two or more

sides.

1. Supporting members must have clear height of not

less than 6'-8" measured from the floor to the soffit or the

supporting members.

2. Enclosure walls for covered patios may have any

configuration, provided at least 65 percent of the total

wall area of the longer wall and one additional wall is

open. Note that sliding glass doors may not be included

in the open area. The openings shall be permitted to be

enclosed with one of the following:

1. Insect screen.

2. Approved translucent plastic not more than

1/8” in thickness.

3. Glass conforming to section R309 (2018

IRC).

4. Any combination of items; 1, 2 and 3.

3. Exterior openings in the dwelling required for lighting

and ventilation shall be permitted to open into an

enclosed patio structure.

4. The patio structure shall not be enclosed if such

openings are serving as emergency egress or rescue

openings from sleeping rooms.

II. DRAWINGS TO PROVIDE & FORMS TO

COMPLETE

Plans must be drawn to scale and must be of sufficient

clarity to indicate the location, nature, and extent of the

work proposed. Be sure to clearly label all existing and

proposed construction.

Plans must show, in detail that the proposed work will

conform to the provisions of the 2018 International

Building Code, Zoning Ordinances and all other relevant

laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.

Two sets of plans are required and must include:

 A. Plot Plan

See figure 5 for requirements.

 B. Foundation and Framing Plans

A foundation plan, roof framing plan, elevations, cross

sections, and connection details are needed for review.

 C. Permit Application

All projects must be submitted with a completed

Building Permit Application.

http://www.pinalcountyaz.gov/CommunityDevelopment

/BuildingSafety/Pages/AppInfo.aspx

III. CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS

Following are the minimum construction specifications for

covered patios and carports.

A. Lumber must be Douglas fir-larch No.2 or better. All

lumber must be grade marked. Joists, girders and posts may be

required to be protected against termites. (See Section R318 of

the International Residential Code (IRC) for details.) All posts

must be minimum 4 x 4 material.

B. The post anchorage and bracing details shown on the

following sheets have been approved by Pinal County for

unenclosed covered patios and carports.

1. Posts must be anchored at the lower end and must

be braced at the upper end using any of the details

provided. Decorative-type bracing may be

substituted if the same resistance to lateral loading is

provided.

C. When it is desired to connect and support one side of

the structure by attaching it directly to the house, the rafter

spacing and beam sizes may be as shown in the Tables

provided. The main beam may be replaced on the side

attached to the dwelling unit with a ledger the same size as

the rafters and fastened to the studs with 3/8” x 5” lag

screws spaced at 32” maximum on center for up to a 10’

rafter span. Lag screws may be spaced at 16” on center

when the rafter span does not exceed 20’. Attaching the

rafters to existing fascia of dwelling unit rafters is not

allowed. If a ledger beam is not used, patio cover rafters

should be placed directly on the double top plate of the

dwelling unit wall.