Ashton Crusher wrote:
On Thu, 21 Nov 2013 00:01:35 +0000 (UTC), DerbyDad03
wrote:

Oren wrote:
On Wed, 20 Nov 2013 13:46:32 -0500, willshak
wrote:

Google carport and then click on "Images" at top of results page.

Simple answer is; carports do not have walls on three sides (open on 3
sides). Garages have walls and a garage door.

A lean-to can have walls or not.

I'm not finding it so simple.

Some of the Google images for "carport" have not open on 3 sides.

This one has 2 walls and no door. The roof is not a lean-to style.

http://www.usmetalgarages.com/upload...l-Texas-TX.jpg

This one has 3 walls...

http://www.alansfactoryoutlet.com/Portals/72859/images/40-wide-carports-IL-metal-carports-Illinois-40'-metal-garages.jpg

This one has 0 walls...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...5/Carports.jpg

They don't seem to fit any of the definitions above. If they aren't
carports, what are they?

Fully enclosed and it's a garage.

2 or 3 walls and it's a carport.

0 to 1 wall and it's covered parking.

Don't take this an argument, but do you have a cite for those definitions?
I have cites that say otherwise, but the problem is that depending on which
cite/site you look at, you will find differing definitions for a carport.

The number of walls will vary, some say a carport is "usually" attached to
the side of building, others do not.

As examples...

From Wikipedia

"A carport is a covered structure used to offer limited protection to
vehicles, primarily cars, from the elements. The structure can either be
free standing or attached to a wall. Unlike most structures a carport does
not have four walls, and usually has one or two."

One or two walls is a cross between your definitions of a carport and
covered parking.

From http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carport

"carport: a shelter for a car that has open sides and that is usually
attached to the side of a building."

As long as there are less than 3 walls, the words "open sides" would fit.
Again, a cross between two of your definitions.

From http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/carport

"carport: a roofed, wall-less shed, usually projecting from the side of a
building, used as a shelter for an automobile"

"Wall-less" fits your definition of covered parking, not carport.

I really don't think there is a clear, specific definition of a carport.