Domestic garages

For the purpose of the Building Regulations a definition of a domestic garage includes a carport and is either attached to or detached from the dwelling. It is generally recognised that a garage is an area designated for car storage.

Attached garages

Garages which are structurally connected to an existing house are classified as attached regardless of whether there is a doorway connecting them.

Application

The erection of any attached garage will need an application to Building Control in the usual manner.
Please note that a fee will be payable.

Detached garage

A detached garage is a garage which is structurally unconnected to a dwelling and is used for the storage of cars.
An application is not required if the detached (single storey) garage, which contains no sleeping accommodation, has a floor area not exceeding 30 square metres and is:

• constructed substantially of non-combustible material

Please note: This is not a requirement if it is more than 1m from any boundary.
If the detached garage has a floor area exceeding 30 square metres then it is necessary to make an application to Building Control.

Carport

An application is not required if the proposed carport:

• is situated at ground floor level
• has an internal floor area which does not exceed 30 square metres
• is open on at least two sides

If the above criteria are not met then an application is required.

Additional information

Garages do not have to resist moisture penetration. Consequently, Building Control will not enforce the use of damp proof courses, membranes or other proprietary items for resisting rain penetration.

Like any other extension, a garage is required to have a proper drainage system for both storm drainage and foul drainage if sanitary appliances are fitted in the garage.

An attached garage is treated in a similar fashion to an extension but:

• not all the Regulations apply, depending on the intended use of the building
• in the interest of fire safety, if there is a door between a garage and the dwelling it should have 30 minutes fire resistance and be self closing. This opening must incorporate a step up of at least 100mm between garage and dwelling floor.
• the positioning of an attached garage must not affect the fire safety precautions of the existing house, Eg. must not jeopardise an escape window either on the ground or the first floor. If in doubt, contact the Building Control service.
• Any part of a detached garage that is less than 1 metre from the boundary should be non-combustible.