Is a 24x24 garage big enough?

[matt63]

... Also remember that if the city puts a limit on size, you could always apply for a variance to get a bigger one. I am going through this with my father.....the city will only allow 768 sq ft (24x32) and he wants a 60x40, so hopefully they grant it. ...

The city only allows 40% of the property to be covered by building along with some other stipulations.  I don't know how close I am to this yet.  The biggest issue is keeping some usable part of the yard in tact to keep the wife happy.  The pics of 24x24 garages are certainly encouraging.  I agree that squeaking out more on width would be beneficial.  I've also got a great big Manitoba Maple tree "strategically" positioned in the yard that I love which limits the width.  It could be cut down but I can't bring myself to do it.
 

[ksierens]

Yup, I was up to my limit with the city, and I didn't feel like getting a variance, and paying that much more for just a little more room.  The big problem with my garage is that the land falls away behind it and it would have required more cinder block to build up from the grade, more cement, more backfill, etc = more money.

I am really fine with what I have, even with my car on a rotisserie I can get around ok.  No couch or fridge, but I do have heat and cable TV!

[jeryst]

You might want to consider attic-style trusses. It will give you a nice size room up there. Plenty of room for extra parts and stuff. And it doesn't cost much more at all. I wish I would have done that.

[kudakidd]

in a word, no. You can never have too big of a garage. Secondly, however large you go avoid using lally (support columns). Your car doors will always find them!

[422STROKER]

You use engineered "I" Joists to span it or a roof truss system.

Here is mine 24'wide and 26' deep  not huge but in the winter I can get 2 cars in there.

Tom

Put shelves on the wall higher than the car and you can fit it up nice and tight to the wall(car).

That's a Bathroom in the corner, Slop sink and Throne.....Shelves in there too!

Those are old Kitchen cabinets taken of a house that was getting new cabinets, so I took them out before a sawzall did.(free)

[matt63]

I staked out the yard and think I can get the 24 x 26 wide which really gives me the room I need on the width.  I found a nice truss design called parallel chord which gives me a vaulted ceiling to allow for a hoist.  The other option is 10' walls with conventional 4/12 roof but the wall height is a little much.  I got to talk to the truss people.  There is lots to do before construction ie cut down 4 trees, trench across yard and put power,cable, phone underground, take down fence.... I can't wait until next year!

[JJ]

I agree with the others. It is never big enough. My garage is 16 wide x 48 long, two cars fit in there with enough room to walk around. All concrete and part of the basement of my house. It is all in-ground now, so I post photos of the construction. Yes, I need another garage, this one is too small...