Investor · West Bloomfield, MI · Member since 2009 · 358 posts · 306 votes
We're building a spec house with a detached garage on a city lot. The garage can't be larger than 485 sqft which means we could build a garage 24w x 20d, 23w x 21d or 22w x 22d. Any thoughts on which would be most useful for the future homeowner? Since it's a spec house we don't know if it'll need to fit small cars or Suburbans.
20' deep seems tight to walk around with a fullsize SUV or pickup but since it's detached there's no issue with walking around the vehicle to get inside, just walk out the garage door or side man door. Depending on the width and depth it presents different limitations on storage of lawnmowers, bikes, shelving, workbench, etc.
Interesting question. The normal parking space width, if I remember correctly is 9 feet wide, thus for two vehicles you would need 18ft of width for the cars. When you add in the swing circumference of a walk-in doorway (assuming it opens inwards), you need to add 3ft. So the minimum width in my opinion would be 21ft. I would go 22x22
I just recently had a 20 x 20 installed on my small city lot. Two cars will fit comfortably in this space. However, a big SUV may not fit to well. We have two cars.
The city we're building in has several potential garage size restrictions. The one that hits us is that the garage can't be more than 10% of the total lot area. This is an infill project on a 40' city lot. If the lot were larger the garage could be larger. There's also a limit on total lot coverage percentage (30% - 35% depending on lot size) and on absolute garage size, but the most restrictive prevails.
either way you will also make it more functional by having a 16' garage door instead of 2 - 8'. 8' are nice because it creates a sense of more privacy when only one is open. In the winter, less heat/cold will effect home. Esthetics. But if space is limited a 16 works better. A 16 is also safer in pulling in/out. I have 2-10' on my house and it seems tight lol.
either way you will also make it more functional by having a 16' garage door instead of 2 - 8'. 8' are nice because it creates a sense of more privacy when only one is open. In the winter, less heat/cold will effect home. Esthetics. But if space is limited a 16 works better. A 16 is also safer in pulling in/out. I have 2-10' on my house and it seems tight lol.
As wide as possible & I would also max the height. Its amazing how many guys use the extra height for storage or think they will install a lift one day.
We walk a new survey with very expensive homes & it amazes me that < 25% actually use the garage for their vehicles & if they do it usually has room for one auto if at all.
My personal residence was the catalyst for the City's zoning restrictions on garages introduced in the 1960s. The fellow who built the garage, ran a taxi company (from the house), so naturally the garage is 28 x 32 ... you can squeeze 4 old VW buses into it {don't ask} and there is still room for a 9 x 18 office down one side.
Apparently the City was opposed to his garage, but could not stop it, but they did implement zoning restrictions. We also have a driveway which covers 25% more of our lot than permitted by present zoning ... I've been told, when we redo the drive, I have to make it conform.