Carports or Garage Required for Duplex?

Question

General Question from a REI Rookie: Is a carport or a garage required in a duplex? Is it county or city dependent? If so, what department do I contact to ask?

I am in escrow on a duplex in San Bernardino county (Redlands, CA) and the owner tore down the old garage since it was in bad shape.

Thank you in advance!

David Friedman · Answer

I’ve flipped in Redlands before and if you or the previous owner tore down a garage without permits and the city finds out, they will most likely require you to rebuild it to today’s code. Building a garage or a carport is very easy. Probably $15,000 for the garage and another $5,000 in city fees, architectural drawings, etc. Redlands is pretty serious about this stuff. On the other hand, the city is missing a lot of documents on older houses and they may have a hard time proving there was a garage. I think it’s worth to have for your tenants, but most likely no one will know.

Nathan Diones · Answer

@Dave Zarcone since the property is in Redlands, it would be a city who makes the call, not county.  However, usually if its preexisting it won't be required, new multifamily builds definitely require carports or garages.  A bonus to tenants if it does have a garage and possibly more $ in rent.  We own some units in Redlands and have our offices there as well.

Jo-Ann Lapin · Answer

Call a city or county planner and ask your question.

Vaughn Smith · Answer

@Dave Zarcone I'd partner with your Realtor for an answer to that question, they should know the market and town or they should be willing to find an answer for you. You may also want to consider what the market says. Do all of the other homes that are similar to yours have a carport? Will the numbers support you replacing the carport/garage? Hope this helps