How Close Can a Garage Be To The Property Line?

Adding a new garage to your property might sound like a fun and exciting project. But the whole thing might turn into a nightmare if you end up building the structure too close to the property line…

You would have to consult your local zoning and building codes for the exact numbers. 5-15 feet is, in general, the most common setback, but in some states, you might be required to leave at least 35 feet between the front property line and the garage.

What exactly should you do before starting to build close to the property line and how to find out where that line even is? We’ve answered all your questions below.

How Close Can a Garage Be To The Property Line?

There is no single answer to the question as different states (and, in some cases, different cities within one state) might have different requirements.

To avoid any problems in the future, make sure to consult your local zoning or building department before starting to build the garage.

Detached garages especially have a lot of rules concerning where the new structure can be built. For example, if you’re planning on building the garage in the backyard, then there should be around 5 feet of free space on each side.

When it comes to the property line, a detached garage can be anywhere between 5 and 15 feet away from the front property line and 5 feet from the side, in case it will be facing the front of your house.

How Close Can You Build to the Property Line in California?

The local government determines the sizes of the setbacks in accordance with the land’s classification of the zoning district.

For accessory structures (including detached garages), the distance from the front property line should be at least 35 feet. The distance from the other three property lines should be 10 feet (5 feet, in case, the width of the plot is 50 feet or less).

How Close Can You Build to Your Property Line in Georgia?

The exact setbacks will vary, so make sure to consult the local building department in your city.

The most common setbacks, however, are 30 feet from the front property line, 5 feet from the side, and 15 feet from the rear.

How Close Can You Build to the Property Line in Florida?

In Orlando, for example, the side yard structures have to be at least 5 feet from the property line (unless a zero-plot line has been proposed).

Rear yard buildings should be at least 15 feet from the property line, except for alley-accessed garages where the setback is 0 feet.

How Close Can You Build to Property Line in Tennessee?

The districts might have different setbacks for different buildings as the distance depends on the building’s use.

Usually, the plot’s primary building would have to be 10 feet off the line, and any secondary buildings should have a 5-feet setback.

Things to Do Before Building Close to the Property Line

There are quite a few things that you would have to do beforehand to avoid any trouble in the future.

Mark out the land and find the property line – if you live in a relatively new area, the chances are high that the developer had already separated the plots of land. In the rest of the cases, the property lines are determined by the local governments.
Make sure that you don’t need a permit – some building projects require a permit, call the building department to find out if you need one to build a garage on your property (you might have to pay a fee and submit the building plan).
Talk to the neighbors – ideally, you would want to tell the neighbors about your upcoming projects and make sure that they don’t have a problem with them.
Check the local laws – pay extra attention to the required setback (that’s the minimum distance required between buildings and between the building and the property lines).
Finally, you can measure the setbacks – measure the distance from the future garage to the property line on all sides.

FAQs

How Do I Know Where My Property Line Is?

Property lines are the legal boundaries that separate your plot of land from that of the neighbor’s.

Instead of trying to roughly estimate where the line can be, you might want to contact the local building department and request a boundary survey. A professional land surveyor would confirm the property lines which might help to protect your property rights in the future.

How Close to the Property Line Can I Build an Attached Garage?

Always consult the local zoning and building codes.

However, in a lot of cases, you would have to leave at least 30 feet of space from the front property line and 3 feet from the sides and the rear.

How Close to the Property Line Can Concrete Be?

In general, setbacks do not depend on the material that the structure is built out of, but rather on the way in which the building is going to be used.

In the majority of cases, there would have to be 5-15 feet between the concrete structure and all four property lines.

How Close to My Property Line Can My Neighbor Build?

It is always a great idea to communicate with your neighbor before initiating the building process, just to make sure that you’re on the same page (and your neighbor should do the same).

You would have to check with your local government building codes, but usually, you will be allowed to build 5 feet away from someone else’s property line.

If your neighbor is building too close to your property, then you can call the planning department for advice (they might order to stop the construction or even tear it down, if the neighbor didn’t get a permit).

Final Thoughts

How close can the garage be to the property line?

To get the most accurate answer to your question, you would have to consult your local zoning and building codes. In the majority of cases, you would have to leave between 5 and 15 feet between your new garage and all property lines.

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How Close Can a Garage Be To The Property Line?