Looking for the right carport size for your New Zealand home? Choosing the correct dimensions is essential to ensure your carport comfortably fits your vehicles, complies with local regulations, and meets your property’s needs.
This guide covers:
Standard Carport Dimensions: Common single, double, triple, and custom sizes, plus height recommendations for cars, SUVs, and larger vehicles.
Key Sizing Factors: How to plan for door clearance, storage space, and accessibility when selecting your carport dimensions.
Building Code & Council Rules: When you need building consent, boundary setbacks, and the structural requirements to ensure compliance in New Zealand.
Whether you’re building a standard kitset or need a custom solution, this guide will help you choose the right carport size and avoid costly mistakes.
Standard Carport Sizes in New Zealand
For general off-street car parking facilities, Australian/New Zealand Standard™ AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 provides design requirements and recommendations. This standard uses specific design vehicles, such as the B85 (85th percentile car) and B99 (99.8th percentile car), to determine base dimensions for parking spaces, aisles, and circulation roadways.
However, it’s important to note that minimum parking dimensions found in general standards or plans, like the Auckland Unitary Plan, are often designed for larger parking areas with rows of spaces. These minimums may not be suitable for enclosed garages or even carports that have walls or doors, as these can add constraints not present in an open parking area.
General standard sizes for carports include:
Single Car Carport
A common standard size is 3.66 metres wide by 6.1 metres deep. For a kitset option, a single carport might be around 4.8 metres long by 3 metres wide.
The minimum recommended size for a single car carport is approximately 3.05 metres wide by 5.49 metres deep.
Double Car Carport
A standard size for two cars parked side-by-side is approximately 7.32 metres wide by 6.1 metres deep. A kitset double carport might be approximately 6.05 metres long by 6.0 metres wide.
Triple and Quadruple Car Carports
For three cars side-by-side, a carport is typically 11 metres wide by 6.1 metres deep. A four-car carport could be 14.63 metres wide by 6.1 metres deep.
Height Considerations
Adequate height is crucial for accommodating different vehicle types and ensuring comfortable use.
- The minimum available headroom in general parking structures for cars and light vans is 2200 mm. For parking spaces and vehicular access paths for people with disabilities, a minimum clearance of 2300 mm is required.
- Standard carports are often around 2.44 metres tall, but a minimum recommended height is 2.13 metres tall.
- For larger vehicles like pickup trucks, SUVs, RVs, or caravans, you may need a significantly taller carport to ensure adequate clearance. For example, a full-size truck might need a garage at least 7.3 metres deep to allow comfortable walking around.
Streamline Carports typically supply posts at 3 metres long, allowing for a 2.1 metre clear height, with options for longer posts to achieve higher clearance.
Choosing the Right Size
When determining the ideal carport size for your needs, consider the following factors:
- Number and Size of Your Vehicles: Standard carport sizes generally accommodate typical cars and SUVs, but larger vehicles like pickup trucks, vans, or RVs will require more width, length, and particularly height.
- Space for Opening Doors and Manoeuvring: It’s not just about fitting the vehicle; you need enough space to comfortably open car doors without hitting posts or walls. This is where standard parking dimensions for open areas may not suffice for a more enclosed carport or garage.
- Additional Storage or Workshop Space: If you plan to use your carport for more than just parking, such as for storage, a workshop, or an outdoor living area, consider upsizing to the “half-car” dimensions (e.g., a one-and-a-half-car carport). This extra space can significantly enhance utility.
NZ Building Code & Local Council Regulations
Since August 2020, New Zealand has expanded consent exemptions for carports, but all builds must still meet the NZ Building Code and local council rules.
When You Don’t Need Consent:
You typically won’t need a building consent if your carport is:
- On ground level
- 40m² or smaller
Extra rules apply based on size:
- Under 20m²: No need for an engineer or Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP).
- 20–40m²: Work must be supervised by an LBP or designed/reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer.
The area is measured within the posts (not the roof overhang). A carport must stay open on at least one side. Fully enclosed structures with doors are considered garages and follow different rules.
Key Regulatory Considerations:
- Strength & Safety: Carports must handle wind, earthquake, and snow loads. Kitsets (like Streamline Carports) must have PS1 design documents and be engineered for local zones.
- Boundaries: You may need to build at least 1.5m from side/rear boundaries (or 500mm with neighbour consent).
- Fire Rules: Open-sided carports are lower risk, but fire separation rules still apply near boundaries.
- Drainage: Rainwater must be safely managed with gutters and downpipes.
- Wiring: Only registered electricians can do electrical work.
Permits & Compliance Tips
- Always check with your local council for up-to-date requirements.
- If buying a home with a carport, request a LIM report to confirm it was consented.
- If using a kitset, make sure it’s engineer-approved and comes with the right documents.
Get Tailored Advice
Understanding the nuances of carport dimensions and compliance can be complex. For a solution tailored to your specific property and needs, it is highly recommended to seek expert advice.Contact Streamline Carports today for bespoke advice, compliance support, and custom sizing options to ensure your carport is perfectly suited for your New Zealand home.