It happens all the time. You buy a house, grab some DIY tools and a lawnmower, and you’re out of space to store everything before you know it. So, it’s time to build a garage! But, how close to the property line can you build a garage?
Each city has its own laws and ordinances regarding how close to a property line you can build. A good rule of thumb is to keep at least five to ten feet from your property line. Check your local and state laws for exact measurements and permit requirements.
Knowing to check property laws is one thing, but building a garage can bring up many other questions. So, to simplify, we’ve pulled together some of the most common questions surrounding the building of a garage. Enjoy!
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Here’s a Quick Pro Tip!
Typically, you can build a garage beside a side property line as long as you leave 3 feet of space. But, this can vary.
However, once you have the logistics sorted out, you are free to start building! Now, you will need to make sure you have the best tools to make the job easier.
Here are some recommended tools for building a garage:
1. Hammer – Because every tool man/woman needs a hammer in their tool belt!
2. Carrhart Tool Belt – Speaking of tool belts, this one’s pretty epic
3. Carpenter Square– To make sure your angles are perfect!
Building a garage can come with a lot of questions and concerns. You know you want to build a shelter for your things, but you don’t want to break the rules! So first, let’s break down some common questions regarding garages and boundaries.
Typically, a local law states how close you can build to your property line. Check your local zoning laws on boundary lines for complete rules. In most cities, you must be at least five or more feet away from your property line when building a new structure.
Regardless of the legality, it’s not the greatest idea to build a garage directly on your boundary line, but there are no setback garages for a reason.
This can be a great option if you’re running out of space. Consider where you’re going to build before making any final decisions.
All parts of the garage need to reside on your property. Five or more feet away from the property line is fairly standard. However, if you accidentally go over, your neighbors may have the right to remove or modify your garage, so be careful!
If you are unsure of your boundary lines, check your title and deed for information on your property lines. You can also check any existing surveys done to the property to ensure you are not accidentally going over to your neighbor’s yard.
If you’re running out of space, you may be considering building your new garage right next to the boundary lines. While this may be a space saver, you’ve got to be careful you’re not going outside of your boundary.
Most cities will require at least five feet between a structure and the boundary lines.
You may want to check your county and state ordinances to see if there are any specific regulations for zoning and boundary lines. For example, in Dubuque, Iowa, a detached garage must be at least six feet from a property line!
A great rule of thumb regarding the minimum distance between a house and a garage is to get at least five to fifteen feet from your house. This is the law for most places, but it’s always wise to check with your local zoning board for the specifics in your area.
Assuming you are building a detached garage, there must be some distance between your house and the garage. How much depends on many factors, including space, other outside decor and landscaping, and where the driveway lies.
You might also enjoy our post on If You Need a Permit to Build a Shed
In most cities, your structure should be at least five feet or more from a property line. You most likely want to keep your structure close to the property line, so you don’t take up valuable space close to the house.
That makes perfect sense! Consider building your garage close to a corner of your property. This saves space and will look aesthetically pleasing.
You don’t want to build your garage too close to a property line for a variety of reasons. Check your county’s ordinances for any regulations on how close you can legally build and see what (if any) permits you may require to build your garage.
Now that you’ve decided to build a garage and know where you want to put it, be sure you’re aware of the local rules and regulations surrounding detached garages.
You can find your cities building code by contacting your local government offices. There will typically be a large number of requirements to keep your building to code.
St. Paul, Minnesota, has a two-page sheet for the requirements for the construction of a detached garage, complete with a diagram!
No matter where you’re building, failure to follow a city building code can result in fines and even the possibility of your property being condemned.
Obviously, this would be terrible, so be sure you’ve got your ducks in a row before building!
A garage is typically considered a detached residential accessory. Detached residential accessories are any freestanding structure on a property that is not the largest structure (basically everything with a roof that’s not your house!)
Typically, your house will be considered the main structure of your parcel of land.
There are several great ways to find your property lines. You can find the lines in your title. If you cannot access your title, you can also find it by contacting your realtor or having a land survey completed.
It’s important to know exactly where your property lines are so you do not accidentally build too close to the edge of your property.
Also, you don’t want to pour a lot of time and money into a project only to find out it’s not up to code or on the neighbor’s property!
You might also enjoy our post on How Close a Driveway Can Be to a Property Line
You should have received a copy of both your title and deed when you bought your home. If you do not have them, you can request a copy from the realtor that brokered your sale.
The government will also have a copy because titles and deeds are legal documents. This means you can also contact your local recorder or property records office for a copy of your title and deed if needed.
You will want to contact a licensed land surveyor to perform the survey. Be sure to check their licensing before accepting an offer.
Surveying can cost between $200 and $1,000 depending on where you live, so be sure to shop around before making a final decision on your surveyor!
Once you have an appointment for the survey, the surveyor will come to your property and measure your land to establish the boundaries of the land.
This will be crucial to decide where best to legally build your new garage.
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