Add value to your property and flexibility to your living with Two Story, garage plans with an optional apartment offered by Behm Design. Having many designs available has allowed Behm Design to lead this concept into today's market. All our garage plans with apartments have been popular offering a range of sizes and features. These garage plans are drawn to IRC code U (utility/miscellaneous) occupancy with the second floor having extra space only. It would be built as a garage building.
If your zoning category allows accessory dwelling space above the garage space (R3 occupancy) you can include the second floor optional apartment plan in building permit application. However, R3 has additional requirements beyond standard U occupancy which include HVAC, electrical, lighting, plumbing, insulation, fire separation from the garage space and standard residential egress. So it then becomes the same as building a house. The additional requirements would need technical and code compliance information added to the basic Apartment Layout Plan provided. You can add that yourself, have a design/drafting service or architect, or have your contractor provide that if available in their services.
Because there are state to state variations in requirements and some have "residential specialty and safety" codes for their state, Behm Design cannot provide that additional support. There are also some states that have very minimal requirements. So before planning the project it is best to check wit the local Zoning Dept. and Building Dept. for their requirements to build a accessory dwelling unit/apartment.
An approach used by many customers is to build the garage with the extra space as U occupancy and then plan to later adapt that space to an apartment use. The local authority can advise you on that, as well.
This unique collection of plans is available only at Behm Design.
