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The 750 sq foot challenge
- Thread starter 98talon
- Start date
bczygan
Well-known member
Can you get around the SF limit by attaching it to the house? Sometimes a breezeway will count as attachment.
22' height is great. Make it 2 levels and put light work areas and storage upstairs.
What is your lot layout, setbacks, utility easements etc.
22' height is great. Make it 2 levels and put light work areas and storage upstairs.
What is your lot layout, setbacks, utility easements etc.
I'd also say you ought to check the max allowed height. In my TWP, it was the "median" height that mattered....not the total height. The median height is the center point of the distance between the roof peak and the gutters.
A second floor made a huge difference for me as I put all the stuff I don't use everyday upstairs. The parts washer, the blast cabinet, hardware bins, etc...
A second floor made a huge difference for me as I put all the stuff I don't use everyday upstairs. The parts washer, the blast cabinet, hardware bins, etc...
I too was left with the same 750 sq.ft. limit, and I ended up building 23x34 so I could fit 2 cars end to end along one wall of the garage. The extra 40 sq.ft ended up outside the man door but under the roof, made a nice entrance to the garage without getting wet when it rained out.
sorry 22 feet is the max height wall height is 12 feet. alos i have plenty of room to build on the lot to be with in all the other bylaws i cannot do a attached becuase my septic tank is right on the side of there house where it would have to go
ffjeeper
Well-known member
In my city, a garage may be considered to be attached even if it is a covered walkway with the roof touching both house and garage. As bczygan stated, a covered breezway. I've seen 80 feet of breezway so a homeowner could have a garage large enough for a gravel truck inside inside city limits. In a couple of cases, I've seen a 2x10 supported on poles and that is accepted as an attached garage.
Well, remember that at least for the upstairs, you really only need 7 feet of height to work comfortably. Most ceilings are 8 feet, so that extra foot is a big deal.
Save floor space by having an external staircase going upstairs.
-Brad
Save floor space by having an external staircase going upstairs.
-Brad
bczygan
Well-known member
Build a 12' wall and a gambrel (Barn) roof with the second floor within the roof envelope.
Gives you a 12' ceiling downstairs and approx 7' upstairs.
Any minimum roof slopes?
Keep the upper gambrel roof slope as shallow as possible, and the lower roof slope as steep (vertical) as possible for the most usable volume upstairs.
You have just created a great shop space below, with ceilings tall enough for a lift or tall machines and lots of storage upstairs.
Will they allow an exterior covered stair?
Gives you a 12' ceiling downstairs and approx 7' upstairs.
Any minimum roof slopes?
Keep the upper gambrel roof slope as shallow as possible, and the lower roof slope as steep (vertical) as possible for the most usable volume upstairs.
You have just created a great shop space below, with ceilings tall enough for a lift or tall machines and lots of storage upstairs.
Will they allow an exterior covered stair?
rwhite692
Well-known member
Have you considered trying to applying for a variance? The 750 sq.ft. limit may not be totally cast in stone, you know.
Your variance request has a good chance of being approved, particularly if you are not asking for a LOT more square footage. Most building departments will look at the percentage of your total lot area which will be covered by structures, so if you are below their guidelines, you likely stand a good chance of getting approved.
Get to know the folks at your building department. Ask questions. You may be pleasantly surprised to find out that they are actually helpful.
FYI.....A 24x36 is a nice size and ratio of depth to width and is 864 sq.ft.
(I will admit to being just a bit biased!)
Your variance request has a good chance of being approved, particularly if you are not asking for a LOT more square footage. Most building departments will look at the percentage of your total lot area which will be covered by structures, so if you are below their guidelines, you likely stand a good chance of getting approved.
Get to know the folks at your building department. Ask questions. You may be pleasantly surprised to find out that they are actually helpful.
FYI.....A 24x36 is a nice size and ratio of depth to width and is 864 sq.ft.
(I will admit to being just a bit biased!)