Garage ideas and tips.

Bylaws in my borough (the suburbs located on the island of Montreal) read similar to yours.

-753 sq ft, 3 cars max.
- Two outbuildings total. max sq footage limited to 5% of total lot area.

I have a 20,000 sq ft lot so I would have been allowed a 753 sq ft garage and the remainder 247 sq ft as a "shed". I proposed that a single building that combined the total area allowed (1000 sq ft) would be preferable in order to reduce costs (1 foundation pour, 1 electrical service, etc).

They responded that it was acceptable as long as the two spaces remained distinct. I was to build seperate entrances to each space and build a separating wall between the two spaces. I put in the doors yet somehow the separating wall never got built and I have a 24 X 42 garage with 9'9"of clearance. Your planning dept might not be as open minded. Of course, you don't know if you don't try.

In my case, should they ever come and check, I would be willing to frame and drywall a separation. I could then use a garage door to connect the spaces.

You might approach the authorities with a plan to combine the allocations under a single roof. Even if you did have to separate the spaces, you save some money. I'm not sure whether you could renovate and remove the wall at a later date.

Oh, and definitely get the larger doors. My GF got an SUV and that thing barely clears the larger doors. Taller and wider if you can, you'll be glad you did.

Also, you might consider pulling a significant amount of electricity into the space if you can. I upgraded the old 100 Amp service in my home to 200 Amps when I bought the place and my buddy, who is a commercial electrician, suggested I put the old breaker box in the garage on a 100 Amp breaker and some big-a$$ed wire. This affords me with enough juice to power welders, heaters, lots of plugs and lights and capacity to spare.

Don't forget the perimeter of the building either. Lights outside, plenty of plugs around the garage all help make tasks easier in and around the yard.

When I built it in 2002 many of my neighbors (the guys) came around to check it out. I nicknamed it "The Garage Mahal".

Jacques Bouchard
Montreal, Qc