Carport

Carport - A carport is a covered parking space for motor vehicles that is open on the sides or partially open. Under building regulations, it is treated as an ancillary structure and is exempt from approval in Bavaria under certain conditions (Art. 57 BayBO). A carport fulfills the parking space requirement under the Bavarian Building Code and increases a property’s utility value, but is valued lower than a closed garage in real estate appraisals.

Building Code Requirements in Bavaria

According to Art. 57(1)(1) BayBO, garages and covered parking spaces (carports) with a usable area of up to 50 m² are exempt from the permitting process-no building permit is required. However, the following conditions must be met:

• Setback distances: According to Art. 6(7) BayBO, a carport may be built adjacent to the property line without a setback distance if the wall height does not exceed 3 m and the total length along the boundary, together with other adjacent buildings, does not exceed 9 m per property line
• Zoning plan: The provisions of the zoning plan (building line, floor area ratio, construction method) must be complied with - procedural freedom does not exempt one from substantive building law
• Fire safety: Carports on the property line must be constructed of non-combustible materials or provide adequate fire protection

Carport vs. Garage

Feature	Carport	Garage
Protection	Rain, snow, hail	Complete protection from the elements and theft
Cost	€3,000-8,000	€15,000-30,000
Permit	No permit required in Bavaria for up to 50 m²	No permit required in Bavaria for up to 50 m²
Value	Minor increase in property value	Significant increase in property value
Ventilation	Natural	Mechanical in enclosed garages

Materials and Design

Carports are constructed from various materials: Wood is a classic choice that blends harmoniously into green spaces, but requires regular maintenance (staining, sealing). Steel offers high stability with a sleek design-particularly modern-looking versions with powder-coated profiles are low-maintenance. Aluminum combines corrosion resistance with low weight and is the most durable option.

The carport roof can be designed as a gable roof, flat roof, shed roof, or arched roof. Roofing materials include corrugated metal, roof tiles, polycarbonate sheets, or EPDM membrane. With integrated photovoltaic modules (glass-on-glass modules), the roof serves a dual purpose: weather protection and electricity generation in one.

Carport with Photovoltaics - Cost-Effectiveness and Incentives

The combination of a carport and a photovoltaic system is particularly attractive for owners of electric vehicles: the self-generated electricity can be used directly for charging. A typical carport PV system with 3-5 kWp costs between 8,000 and 15,000 euros - subsidized by feed-in tariffs, federal tax exemptions for small-scale systems, and municipal incentive programs. In Nuremberg, N-ERGIE assists with grid connection and provides advice on technical integration. The structural suitability of the carport roof for PV loads must be checked in advance; standard carports made of wood or steel can usually be retrofitted for this purpose.

Practical Tip for Owners in Nuremberg and Franconia

We recommend that owners in the Nuremberg metropolitan region check the zoning plan before erecting a carport-even if the construction project is exempt from the permitting process. In many residential areas of Nuremberg, zoning plans dictate the location and design of parking spaces. A carport that violates the zoning plan can be challenged by authorities despite being exempt from the permit process and, in extreme cases, may be required to be dismantled. If you plan to install a photovoltaic system on the carport roof, the structural suitability must be checked in advance-this combination is particularly cost-effective for electric car owners. In residential areas with a shortage of parking spaces-such as Nuremberg’s Südstadt or around the city center-a carport can significantly increase a property’s appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a carport count toward the floor area ratio (FAR)?

Yes, carports are included as ancillary structures when calculating the FAR. However, the FAR may be exceeded by ancillary structures (garages, carports, driveways, terraces) by up to 50% of the set value, up to a maximum FAR of 0.8. Before construction, carefully verify that the FAR limit is not exceeded by the carport-exceeding it without an exemption constitutes an administrative offense and may result in an obligation to remove the structure.

Do I need my neighbor’s consent for a carport on the property line?

In Bavaria, neighbor consent is not required if the boundary distance regulations of Art. 6(7) BayBO are observed (maximum wall height of 3 m, maximum length of 9 m per boundary). Nevertheless, we strongly recommend informing your neighbor in advance and seeking a dialogue-this avoids disputes and fosters good neighborly relations. Problems arise primarily when the carport obstructs light or access.

Does a carport increase property value?

A carport increases the utility and appeal of a property, but is valued significantly lower than a comparable garage. As a rule of thumb: A simple carport increases the selling price by approximately 3,000-8,000 euros, while a well-built garage with a sectional door increases it by 15,000-25,000 euros. In areas with a severe shortage of parking spaces, the added value is higher. A high-quality carport-solar-panel combination can increase the added value to 10,000-20,000 euros if the system is well-sized and technically sound.

What do I need to consider when dismantling a carport?

If a carport is dismantled-for example, because it violates the zoning plan or the owner wants to redesign the property-costs will arise for demolition and disposal of the materials. For wooden carports, the material can often be sold or used as firewood; steel and aluminum structures are disposed of as scrap. For roofing materials containing asbestos from older carports-which may be the case for structures built up to the late 1980s-professional disposal by a certified waste management company is mandatory; costs can range from 1,000 to 3,000 euros, depending on the area. We recommend that owners check the material composition before demolition and, if necessary, commission a material analysis.

Carport as a substitute for proof of parking spaces under BayBO

In Bavaria, builders must provide proof of a certain number of parking spaces for new construction projects (parking space requirement under Art. 47 BayBO). A carport can be recognized as proof of parking space, as it counts as a covered parking space. This is particularly helpful for properties with limited space where building a garage would not be feasible structurally or financially. In Nuremberg, the number of required parking spaces depends on the type of use and the size of the project; for multi-family homes in the downtown area, the parking space requirement can alternatively be fulfilled by paying a fee to the city. Anyone erecting a carport for this purpose should coordinate this in advance with the building authority to ensure that the carport is actually recognized as proof of a parking space.

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