Garage Conversions

When designing the conversion, remember the following:

• Prior to starting a garage conversion, be sure that there is a 10 ft x 20 ft parking pad behind the front yard set back, to ensure there is adequate off-street parking after the garage is converted. (Usually this is 25 feet.) All parking and driveways must be of a solid surface. Note that in the front yards of homes only 40% surface coverage is allowed.
• In many areas of the older parts of the City, the garage floor and foundations are lower than the street and may be flooded during heavy rains. Contact our Permit Counter or call the Help Line at 916-808-5656 for ways to raise the floor and stem walls.
• All habitable rooms require a minimum of 10% (1/10) of the floor area to be windows (natural light) or 10 square feet (whichever is greater) and a 5% (1/20) opening to allow air flow (natural ventilation).
• If the existing concrete floor is to remain, it will need to be sealed to prevent water/moisture seepage from exterior water flow. This could be caused by yearly rains or lawn sprinklers especially if the floor level is at or even close to the exterior grade/soil level. Check into overlaying and leveling the existing slab with a cap of concrete or gypcrete over a vapor barrier to eliminate this concern.
• If the garage is being converted to a sleeping area, gas-fired or solid fuel fired appliances cannot be in the room without obtaining combustion air from an outside source.
• Many garages do not have proper electrical outlets or lighting. Often the existing circuits are for appliances or are shared with exterior plugs. To avoid any issues, it is best to install a new lighting circuit (15 amp Arc Fault Interrupter Circuit). The new lighting circuit will allow you to tap off of it for the new smoke detector that is hardwired with a battery backup as required for the new square footage and needs to be placed in accordance to Federal and State fire and building codes.
• The existing HVAC / FAU may not be large enough for the existing house and the added square footage. Remember that the air needs to circulate throughout all rooms. A larger unit may need to be installed for the entire house or just a small one for the converted garage. Note you cannot bring the return air through a kitchen area. If the garage access is through a kitchen a second return air register will need to be placed in the converted area.
• The 2005 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24) are meant to save both energy and money and there are minimum requirements for windows, doors, and insulation for your new conditioned space.