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Simple Garage Question

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Joined
Nov 2, 2006
Professional Status
Certified Residential Appraiser
State
Pennsylvania
Real simple question here. What is the minimum garage width or depth that can be considered to be a 1 vs 2 car garage or suitable for being a parking bay at all? I have seen builders really cheaping out on garage widths lately. I had one builder tell me that 19' interior width was the minimum for a 2 car garage width but I have seen town homes with 18' (exterior) widths. And its really the door width that is important anyway. And then there's the ones that market "2 1/2 car garages".
 
In PA, like NY State, Health, Safety and Construction Requirements can be found at the State level, County, City, Town, and/or Village Levels. PA also has Boroughs. Contact Building Official at the appropriate lowest level and work your way up.

http://www.pamunicipalitiesinfo.com/BrowseByMuni.aspx

State http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/034/chapter403/chap403toc.html

Cross References

This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 403.61 (relating to residential buildings); 34 Pa. Code § 403.102 (relating to municipalities electing to enforce the Uniform Construction Code); and 34 Pa. Code § 403.103 (relating to municipalities electing not to enforce the Uniform Construction Code).

§ 403.65. Certificate of occupancy.

(a) A residential building may not be used or occupied without a certificate of occupancy issued by a building code official.

(b) A building code official shall issue a certificate of occupancy after receipt of a final inspection report that indicates compliance with the Uniform Construction Code and ordinance within 5 business days or within 10 business days in cities of the first class. The certificate of occupancy must contain the following information:

(1) The permit number and address of the residential building.

(2) The name and address of the owner of the residential building.

(3) A description of the portion of the residential building covered by the occupancy permit.

(4) A statement that the described portion of the residential building was inspected for compliance with the Uniform Construction Code.

(5) The name of the building code official who issued the occupancy permit.

(6) The construction code edition applicable to the occupancy permit.

(7) If an automatic sprinkler system is provided.

(8) Any special stipulations and conditions relating to the building permit.

(c) A building code official may issue a certificate of occupancy for a portion of a residential building if the portion independently meets the Uniform Construction Code.

(d) A building code official may suspend or revoke a certificate of occupancy when the certificate was issued in error, on the basis of incorrect information supplied by the permit applicant, or in violation of the Uniform Construction Code. Before a certificate of occupancy is revoked, a building owner may request a hearing before the board of appeals in accordance with § 403.122 (relating to appeals, variances and extensions of time).

(e) A third-party agency under contract with a building permit holder shall submit a copy of the certificate of occupancy to the municipality.

(f) A building code official may issue a temporary certificate of occupancy for a portion or portions of the building or structure before the completion of the entire work covered by the permit if the portion or portions may be occupied safely. The building code official shall set a time period during which the temporary certificate of occupancy is valid.

Source
The provisions of this § 403.65 amended December 15, 2006, effective December 31, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 7548; amended December 24, 2009, effective December 31, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 7196. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (323812) to (323813).

Cross References
This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 403.61 (relating to residential buildiings); 34 Pa. Code § 403.102 (relating to municipalities electing to enforce the Uniform Construction Code); and 34 Pa. Code § 403.103 (relating to municipalities electing not to enforce the Uniform Construction Code).
 
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All very interesting, but I don't think this is an issue of public codes. I believe that most codes would allow the construction of an unfinished space with a roll up door that is 11' wide and 14' deep, whether or not it could be used as a garage. And I am pretty sure there's no regs about what a builder could call such a space. My question was more about whether or not anyone uses a rule of thumb on size as to what constitutes a usable parking bay.
 
24 x 20 seems "standard" to me, but I would never buy a house with a garage that is not somewhat oversized, preferably 28' x 30' - I am always storing junk along the side of the garage.
 
In my market the market will accept a 16' wide garage as a two car; however, more common is 20' wide. Well built homes typically have 24' for wide and 20' for depth.

We also have lots of tandem 3 car garages. The market reaction is only slightly less than a traditional side by side three car. That sort of surprised me.

We have two smaller cars, a Suzuki and a Subaru so I have some extra room in my garage for some file cabinets, a work bench, and a tool storage area. If we had standard size cars the garage would be pretty tight.
 
I think it depends on the neighborhood. In an urban setting I would think the minimum width would get down to 16 (14' door). Urban types drive those little tiny cars. Out west, an F150 needs 90" of width just to fit the mirrors though, so it better have 18' doors and a 24' wide, at a minimum.
 
All very interesting, but I don't think this is an issue of public codes. I believe that most codes would allow the construction of an unfinished space with a roll up door that is 11' wide and 14' deep, whether or not it could be used as a garage. And I am pretty sure there's no regs about what a builder could call such a space. My question was more about whether or not anyone uses a rule of thumb on size as to what constitutes a usable parking bay.

It most certainly is an issue of Building Codes. Post a local Municipality as a test case.
 
It most certainly is an issue of Building Codes. Post a local Municipality as a test case.

Very true, Mike, and important for a builder to know this. Not so much for an appraiser. You may be 1 / 500 appraisers who know (or care) about this.
He was asking more about how an individual appraiser would handle this. I really think it is a "market specific" question. Compare the subject and the comps.
 
18 feet is very tight, it can fit 2 cars but then nothing on sides and have to be careful pulling in. 19 feet similar, but acceptable. 20-22 feet seems the norm with 22-24 feet more generous.

2.5 car here means 2 car with golf cart storage.
 
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