When you build your garage with CarShacks, your estimator can consult with you on and help you understand the city bylaws which may be applicable. Additionally, CarShacks applies for your building permit on your behalf, taking care of your application, site plans, and building plans.
The City of Calgary includes a summary of detached garage rules and safety standards in their “Detached Garages and Carports” pamphlet:
What are the rules and safety standards for detached garages and carports?
Some of the common bylaw and code requirements and considerations for detached garages and carports are:
- In most communities, the maximum lot coverage for all buildings on the property cannot exceed 45.0 per cent. The maximum area covered by accessory buildings cannot exceed 74 m2 or the building coverage of the main residential building, whichever is the lesser. To determine the maximum coverage allowed in your area, please contact Development & Building Approvals at 403-268-5311.
- The maximum height of a detached garage or carport is 4.6 m above grade, measured from the finished floor of the building.
- The maximum eave line height of a detached garage or carport is 3.0 m, measured from the finished floor of the building.
- The building eave can be no closer than 0.45 m to a property line.
- A detached garage or carport must have a minimum of 1.0 m of separation from a house.
- A deck is not permitted to be constructed on the roof of a detached garage or carport.
- A detached garage or carport cannot be located in a front yard.
- A detached garage can have only one storey (except in the case of a secondary suite. Please refer to the brochure called Secondary suites).
- A detached garage must be 0.6 m from all property lines unless:
- The garage has vehicle access off of a street; then, a 6.0 m driveway length with a minimum 3.0 m width is required, measured from the back of the public sidewalk or, where there is no public sidewalk, measured from the curb.
- The garage is on a corner lot; then, 1.2 m is required or, if there is no lane, 3.0 m is required from the street side property line.
- The exterior of the garage wall is constructed of maintenance-free materials; and the wall is fire rated and equipped with downspouts and eaves troughs that direct water run-off onto the same lot then, a required 0.6 m side yard can be reduced to 0.0 m.
- Two-storey garages and garages constructed with masonry veneer or concrete must have foundation walls and footings 1.2 m (minimum) below grade around the perimeter, OR the design of the foundation must be signed and sealed by an engineer licensed to practise in the province of Alberta. It is recommended that garages over 55 m2 (approximately 592 ft2) in building area meet these same requirements.
- If your lane is not paved it is recommended that a lane grade be established so that your garage or carport floor will be at the correct elevation in relation to the lane. There is a fee for this service. Please contact Development Site Servicing at
403-268-5795.- Provincial regulations prohibit the construction of a garage over a gas line. If you are faced with this problem, you can either move the garage at least 30cm (1 ft) from the gas line or have the service line relocated. For more information, contact your gas service provider.
- Before you dig, reduce the risk of personal injury and property damage by contacting Alberta One-Call at 1-800-242-3447 to request to have the location of your utilities marked.
If your desired garage doesn’t comply with the city standards for residential detached garages, it may still be possible to build. In this case the home owner will need to apply for a development permit. Once the development permit is acquired, CarShacks can apply for your building permit and take care of the rest of your construction.
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