An open carport installed a year ago at a soundfront property in Roper must be removed or relocated, according to a verdict rendered last week by Washington County Commissioners — deliberating in the role of the Board of Adjustment.

According to testimony in a variance request filed by James and Helen Garris, the carport was installed close to the property line with prior assent from neighboring property owner Cindy Furlough.

However, Furlough later filed a complaint with county authorities, objecting to the shelter that came to within 28 inches of her property’s boundary. The Garrises acknowledged the carport was installed without the benefit of a zoning permit, resulting in the a February 2025 letter from Zoning Officer Alan Pittman “asking” the shelter to be relocated to a position complying with an eight-foot side setback...