Garage Size - narrow? Options

[thomasotten]

Looking at building a detached garage to the side and back of my home. Unfortunately, when I take into consideration the 5' setbacks on the property lines, the big space I had in mind gets really cut down. I have more length than I have width. I am looking at a 16' garage, with I suppose a 14' door. I was thinking of getting a scissor lift as well. Is this workable with two car side by side? Should I just put the scissor in the center, rather than to one side? Anyway, just seeing if anyone has any experience or advice.

Thanks

[Tom_T]

Recheck with your city/county if that is a planning & zoning setback of 5', because by building code you can usually go down to 3' or 0' setback with the appropriate fire rating of that wall & NO openings there - i.e.: no doors/windows along that property line wall.

You may be able to squeeze 2' or more into it with a solid wall along that property line with no windows/doors & 1 hour rated wall IIRC - 2 Hr if 0' setback IIRC.

However, your local zoning code could trump that allowance, so call them.

Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[JmuRiz]

Recheck with your city/county if that is a planning & zoning setback of 5', because by building code you can usually go down to 3' or 0' setback with the appropriate fire rating of that wall & NO openings there - i.e.: no doors/windows along that property line wall.

You may be able to squeeze 2' or more into it with a solid wall along that property line with no windows/doors & 1 hour rated wall IIRC - 2 Hr if 0' setback IIRC.

However, your local zoning code could trump that allowance, so call them.

Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
My area has crazy setbacks listed, but you can work with them to get it to 3' or 1' with fire ratings. That usually means doing the outer wall (one on the line) with 1/2" drywall inside AND outside of the wall, then siding over the outside. I like Hardiboard for looks and paint and it happens to be fire rated as well.

My builder told me it would be $ to fire rate, only after the foundation was done did I find out it was only an extra layer of dyrwall. I've made sure to tell others I know of the way to go. My brother is reaping the rewards of my zoning mistakes on his new garage.

Take down a young tree and get a 3' setback and you're looking at a 20' wide...go to 1' setback and you have a 22' like I have.