Building garage shorter than it is wide

[Liatris]

So the size and conditions of our lot make it that the only garage we can build is a maximum of 16 x 21. What makes it different is that the 16 feet is actually how deep it would be when you drive in. We would also do 9 feet walls with an 8 foot door.

Is it really very strange to have a garage that is wider more than it is deep? Any problems anyone can think of?

Just trying to get any ideas, we really want a garage and we're hoping to make it work with what we have but don't want to affect resale values negatively or anything else.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Techhead]

The only problem I can see with the 16' depth is that it limits you to short cars.

[virgoan]

wow...16 feet deep is really short...can't even park a corolla/civic...however...21' wide is a really good size...plenty of room to put up those shelves on the side...or even a workbench...

[blizzah]

So the size and conditions of our lot make it that the only garage we can build is a maximum of 16 x 21. What makes it different is that the 16 feet is actually how deep it would be when you drive in. We would also do 9 feet walls with an 8 foot door.

Is it really very strange to have a garage that is wider more than it is deep? Any problems anyone can think of?

Just trying to get any ideas, we really want a garage and we're hoping to make it work with what we have but don't want to affect resale values negatively or anything else.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Well, aren't all double door garages shorter than its width?

[Liatris]

We actually have an older Jeep YJ and it will fit just fine. We have measured and a mini-van will fit, barely but it will fit :)

I think having a garage is better than nothing and in our real estate listing when it comes time to sell we can focus on the height of the garage and the storage rather than the depth. I just want to make sure y'all can't think of anything obvious that we're not thinking of that might make this a $17,000 mistake! eeek!

So any other thoughts on the bad side of things?

[Justin]

It will affect your resale. If a normal vehicle cannot be parked in it, what good is the garage? Why Can't you just build the garage a couple feet closer to the road or have a couple less feet of backyard?

[JAC]

Pointless, really. I'd redraw the plan.

[Techhead]

If ya got good neighbours, go back to the city with new plans, even 18-19 foot long and request a variance.

They then send out letters to your neighbours to see if they approve.

[Liatris]

Thanks for the comments y'all. The problem lies in the width of the space we have to work with as our backyard is lower than the parking area and lane. To build a retaining wall and backfill will be upwards of $10,000 as it needs to become level with the lane so the wall will need to be over 5 feet tall, an engineer is also required. The cheaper option is to make the garage on the parking pad above and the dimensions of that are 18 x 25 from property edge to property edge.

So what if we did ask permission like you said for an 18 foot width? It would be very close in the alley and we wouldn't have much of an apron. I didn't know asking permission was an option. I'll have to see if there is even enough room to drive a vehicle in the garage at that length.

Argh...we've been at this for weeks trying to figure out the best most economical way. Our only other option is to sell and buy a property with a garage or a better lot layout to build one. :(

Thanks again for your comments.

[BartBandy]

Yep, what you describe is not a garage - it's a shed with an overhead door.

I don't have an answer, beyond negotiating something with the neighbour.