3-car garage to 2-car garage -- HELP

[mmsheb]

So, we are moving to a new place that only allows a 2-car garage (21'6" x 21'6") with one 16' door. My current garage is 24' wide by 23' deep plus an additional 12' x 12' area in front of one of the bays. I have 3 cars plus plenty of room for storage.

I know I will miss what I currently have, so I'm wondering what suggestions there are that I should consider prior to the final design, and construction stage. I expect I will store my vintage auto elsewhere since I can't use a lift to store one on top of the other.

Thanks in advance. Mike

 

[Docbentley]

Design a huge “family room or bedroom” behind the garage. Then delete the wall after construction and you have the occupancy permit.

 

[joey1320]

Move to a different place.

 

[Viper98912]

Don't move there.

 

[Millwrong]

How can they only "allow" you a 2 car garage? If that is truly the case, don't move to that shithole!

 

[Old Man Roger]

This is easy, just give me some of your stuff.

 

[mmsheb]

It's the size of the lot that dictates. Maybe will move to someplace else, but asking for possible ideas in case I don't.

 

[DGersic]

Garage with a basement underneath and a lift?


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[Stuart in MN]

I expect I will store my vintage auto elsewhere since I can't use a lift to store one on top of the other.

Is this actually part of the rules, or is it a deal where the allowable height of the garage roof won't allow one? Roof trusses can be designed to allow extra ceiling height inside, if that's an option, but maybe the builder can't or won't vary from their standard designs.

As far as making room for other stuff, I guess the first thing is to take a hard look at what things you can get rid of that you don't really need. Another thing is a basement workshop (or even a workshop that's on the same level as the garage) where you can keep things.

If you haven't already, look at Jack Olsen's garage thread, as well as lilscorpion's storage solution thread, for ideas on how to pack ten tons of stuff in a five ton bag.

 

[mmsheb]

DGersic - I'll investigate doing that.

Stuart - builder can't vary due to Association rules. I am getting rid of excess now, and will probably do the basement workshop. It has fairly convenient access right off the garage. I watch Jack's thread, but had not seen lilscorpions's. Thanks for that and the other comments.

kngelv - good points. It seems like we are going to downsize though.

 

[LX-Markham]

If you can't go up, I'd see if you can go down as DGersic suggested.

What are the restrictions on installing a lift? Is there a room above the garage or something? If there's any chance at all of gaining some headroom in the garage for a lift, that's the way to go.

There's always a way to do it. When I got married and moved into my wife's place with her, we had to convert the 2 car garage to a 3 to accommodate my Mustang. Wasn't easy or cheap, but easier and cheaper than moving.

 

[greg13]

"Association" rules??? Run, Run like hell! All it take is for one person to get a bug up their **** and EVERYTHING changes.

 

[greenskeeper]

DGersic - I'll investigate doing that.

Stuart - builder can't vary due to Association rules. I am getting rid of excess now, and will probably do the basement workshop. It has fairly convenient access right off the garage. I watch Jack's thread, but had not seen lilscorpions's. Thanks for that and the other comments.

kngelv - good points. It seems like we are going to downsize though.

A home owners association! You've fallen for one of the two classic blunders! The first being never get involved in a land war in Asia but only slightly lesser known: never buy property in with a HOA!

 

[Stuart in MN]

Possibly the only blunder is mentioning a HOA on this board... The topic always brings out a bunch of people who have to tell you how much they hate them, even though I suspect most of them have never actually lived in one.

 

[fiataccompli]

sounds like at least as small as possible a 4 post lift would give some flexibility.

I know you didn't ask THIS, but really really meditating on the apparent permanence of the space (or lack thereof) is worth doing. In my own experience, the theoretical lack of decent space and the reality of living with it are two different things.

On a funny note, I happened to become curious seeing stupid neighborhood group facebook post a few months ago & decided to do some plat research to see if my neighborhood has any building restrictions. We have no viable HOA, so restrictions would be more theoretical than anything else. It turns out that the garage that I had already pulled a permit for is completely "legal" but the temporary storage shelters I'd had in my driveway for the last 12 years were not. Funny.

 

[mmsheb]

Great ideas. You guys are making me think, especially fiataccompli and LX Markham. I don't like rules, but it is a fact of life and knowing them upfront is helpful for me.
fiataccompli - I sent you a PM if you get a chance to see it and reply. Thanks.

 

[Rorin67]

You CAN do it - I have faith in you. Here's my ol' 18x20 from my HOA townhouse, which held a '67 Mustang, Harley Davidson, and the wife's BMW. You learn to use every inch of the place for storage (even the 1' between the ceiling and the open garage door - and make/use cabinets that go all of the way to the ceiling).

 

[mmsheb]

Rorin67 - Thanks for the vote of confidence. Yours looks amazing and I hope mine turns out similar. Like the 67 in your avatar. Mike

 

[Rorin67]

Glad to be of help. The '67 Fastback has been my daily driver battling the streets of Los Angeles for the last dozen years. It's a blast!

Other garage tips - pegboard/slatwall/storewall are your friends, and be sure to "look up" - meaning take advantage of storing things close to the ceiling (think ceiling-suspended/overhead shelving units), like this:

 

[Homerr]

2 storys down and 3 storys up.

 

[mmsheb]

Rorin67,
I have been away for a few days. Just saw your last reply. Thanks a ton. Good suggestions, and in talking to the builder it looks like it can be made four feet deeper. That is going to be a huge help for me. With all the good suggestions I have received here I think it will work. I appreciate your comments. Enjoy that 67.
Mike

 

[rburke65]

They would have to give me the house before I’d allow them to tell me what I could and could not have.

 

[BajaScout]

Whose house is it if they make the rules?


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[James-W]

Whose house is it if they make the rules?

There are rules regardless of where you live. You own the house, but you have to live with the rest of the people who reside in the same neighborhood.

When I built my garage the largest size the city would allow is 24X36 and the peak of the roof can't be taller than 18 feet 6 inches. The city made that rule, not a HOA. I would have preferred to built it 30X50 but I only had three choices. I could build a garage 24X36, I could forget about building a garage altogether, or I could move someplace else. I chose to build a garage 24X36. I wish it could have been larger, but I get by OK with I have.

 

[BajaScout]

We all do. Just wouldn’t want more people telling me what I can/cannot do.

Choices. We all have them.


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[greenskeeper]