Detached Metal Garages
Fully enclosed 1-car, 2-car, or 3-car vehicle storage. Requires driveway access planning, slab anchoring, and adherence to accessory building setback distances.
Montgomery Zoning & Placement Guide
City of Montgomery Accessory Structure Rules
Adding a detached metal garage, workshop, storage barn, or carport to a residential property in Montgomery requires following municipal accessory structure rules. These regulations govern where on your parcel a building can be placed, how close it may sit to property lines, its maximum allowable height, and how much of your lot may be covered by buildings.
Verified against City of Montgomery Land Use and Inspection Department ordinances. Last reviewed: March 2026.
Understanding Accessory Structure Rules in Montgomery
An accessory structure is a detached building located on the same lot as the principal residence, used for purposes incidental and subordinate to the main dwelling. Under Montgomery regulations, accessory structures include detached metal garages, carports, storage sheds, post-frame hobby shops, and equipment barns.
The City of Montgomery explicitly requires building permits for accessory structures, portable buildings, and storage buildings. Placement is governed by your zoning district, required side and rear setbacks, easements, and lot coverage limits. Small size, lack of a concrete slab, or delivery on skids does not exempt a building from placement review.
Regulated Structures
Detached Garages, Workshops, and Storage Buildings in Montgomery
Montgomery property owners install metal accessory buildings for a wide variety of practical uses. Each building type carries specific placement and planning considerations:
Workshops & Hobby Barns
Dedicated spaces for woodworking, metalworking, or mechanics. When wired for power or plumbed for water, separate trade permits are required.
Metal Carports & RV Covers
Open-sided or partially enclosed structures for vehicle and boat shelter. Even without walls, roof area counts toward lot coverage and must meet setbacks.
Post-Frame Storage Barns
Economical pole barn construction for lawn equipment, ATVs, and bulk household storage on larger residential and suburban parcels.
Backyard Storage Sheds
Prefabricated or site-built utility sheds. Must be placed behind the front building line and maintain required clearances from lot boundaries.
Lean-To Additions
Covered wings attached to existing garages or pole barns. Lean-to roof overhangs cannot encroach into side or rear yard setback buffers.
Zoning & Placement Criteria
Accessory Building Placement Considerations in Montgomery
Placement is the single most critical factor in accessory structure approvals. Key zoning criteria evaluated by the Land Use Division include:
Rear & Side Setbacks
Accessory structures must be located in the side or rear yard, generally behind the front line of the main residence. Structures cannot be placed on property lines; they must maintain specified distances from side and rear boundaries according to the property's zoning classification (e.g., R-100, R-85, R-65).
Building Height Limits
In most residential districts, the height of an accessory building cannot exceed the height of the primary dwelling, and overall roof peak height is capped. This prevents commercial-scale structures from towering over neighboring residential homes.
Lot Coverage & Impervious Surface
Zoning codes limit the percentage of the rear yard or total lot that can be covered by roofed structures. These limits ensure sufficient open space, natural drainage, and adequate absorption of stormwater runoff during heavy rainfall.
Easements & Underground Utilities
No structure may be built over recorded drainage, water, sewer, power, or gas easements. Always consult your property plat and call Alabama 811 before excavating post holes or pouring concrete footings.
Step-by-Step Approvals
Planning a Detached Metal Building near Montgomery
Follow these practical steps to navigate Montgomery accessory building review smoothly:
1
Locate Your Property Survey or Plat
A boundary survey reveals exact property line dimensions, utility easements, and the location of your existing home and driveway.
2
Verify Zoning District Rules
Contact the Montgomery Land Use Division to confirm your parcel's zoning classification, accessory setbacks, and maximum allowable building footprint.
3
Check Private HOA Covenants
If your subdivision has an active Homeowners Association, review its architectural guidelines regarding acceptable exterior siding materials, roof pitch, and colors.
4
Draft a Scaled Site Plan Drawing
The city requires a drawing showing all structures, their physical dimensions, and exact distances to property lines and between buildings.
5
Submit the Permit Application
File your application online through the City of Montgomery permitting portal, upload the site plan and building specifications, and await plan review approval.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Accessory Structures
Clear answers to common questions about setbacks, shed placement, and municipal requirements:
Official Municipal Sources
Always verify specific requirements with official city departments prior to purchasing or delivering a building:
Get Started
Plan an Accessory Metal Building in Montgomery
Whether you need a two-car garage, hobby workshop, RV cover, or backyard storage barn, we can help you design a durable metal building configured to fit your property and meet local setback requirements.
Contact Us
- Montgomery, Alabama
- outlandterritorynetwork@gmail.com