If you live in Mesquite, Texas, listen up: Rules for having a carport in front of your home are about to change dramatically. Such laws are usually done in the name of restoration and preserving a neighborhood, especially those that are aging and need an improved appearance. Recently, regulations in Mesquite have been placed on carports for this purpose. If you live in Mesquite, some of these changes in this zoning amendment include:
• Same color and same material as the house for a front carport.
• Metal carports are no longer acceptable, although nothing is mentioned about metal and polyethylene carports.
• The roof must be pitched but its height should not exceed that of the roof on the house.
• The structure should be no more than 400 square feet.
• The structure must be built over a concrete driveway.
• Front carports are not permitted in neighborhoods platted after 1973.
If you have a rear carport in Mesquite currently, most of these rules do not apply to you. Instead, this amendment, which was scheduled for a February 15 discussion, focuses solely on current front carports and restricting such new structures in most Mesquite neighborhoods.
Nevertheless, although this amendment is designed to improve the appearance of many older neighborhoods, some issues haven’t been addressed. For example, can front carports be attached to a home or do they need to be a separate structure that meets all of the requirements above? If as a separate structure, can it be anchored in the ground or must it be removable? What about any side walls? Do these same rules apply to all portable shelters, such as RV and boat storage, or are they only for every-day use carports? Perhaps if this amendment goes through further drafts, these aspects concerning portable shelters will be taken into account.
