Garage Conversion Without Permit

Many homeowners prefer living by the rule “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” and perhaps this is the only best way to exist in our society. With the number of potential buyers of property steadily decreasing every year and the construction costs of new living quarters increasing, it is of utmost importance that every homeowner could take advantage of what they possess. Luckily, there is a remedy to this issue with the recent advent of ADUs of all shapes and forms.

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a building located next to the existing structure which can be used for different purposes. More and more landlords prefer having them on the lot instead of investing in new houses somewhere in America. Such units normally significantly increase property value and provide substantially more living space to all family members or even renters. However, any illegal unit is strictly punished.

One of the possible conversion options includes the transformation of the garage. Those property owners who do not see any value in them can recreate comfortable living quarters there, but just like with any other renovation, garage conversion requires a building permit. But what is an unpermitted garage conversion, and is it even legal? Here, we will figure it out.

ADU Types Available

On the market right now, there is a growing number of different options that homeowners can pick from in order to build a unit on their lot. Let us break them all down in a clear format and point out their advantages as well as disadvantages.

Attached ADU

If you require a building that is connected to the main house, you can do it by adding an attached ADU to your wishlist. These units should stand right next to the apartment and stay connected to it after the construction process is finished. The homeowner gets an opportunity to visit dwellers there through a door, so we believe it is a perfect opportunity for you to keep your older relatives in the vicinity so you can take care of them if needed and keep an eye on them at any moment. This option allows you to save money on the building while giving an increased property value anyway. Anyway, the construction process should comply with the building code of the area, as an unpermitted ADU will lead to serious consequences for the local government.

Detached ADU

On the contrary, detached ADUs are the polar opposite of attached units because almost every aspect of them is different. First, they cannot be connected to the house; after all, they are detached. Therefore, these units are located on the same lot as the main apartment, so you can visit them using another entrance. Next, detached units are normally bigger than their attached counterparts because it is difficult to place an additional wall bigger than your main one, while everything is possible with detached units. Moreover, the entire process takes a bit longer than with attached buildings as the amount of work is much greater. Nevertheless, it’s still a decent choice for homeowners who would like to make money on real estate. We can easily imagine a situation when you rent this apartment out and get enough rental income to cover the previous expenses.

Junior ADU

Here, the name also says it all: these units cannot boast their size as they are rather small, but it certainly does not mean that they provide less value or opportunities to homeowners. We think this is an awesome pick for everyone striving for energy efficiency and an increase in living space while stashing some money for other expenses. A vital step toward your own junior ADU is figuring out which one you actually need because they all vary in extra features that construction companies provide you with. Another advantage of having a junior ADU is the lack of complexity; in other words, such units can be erected in a timely manner, providing you with living space in less than a year after you order one. This also gives you a great opportunity to find renters and get passive income.

Garage Conversion

Sometimes homeowners figure out that they don’t really need the garage space they have and that it would be better to use this space in other ways, for example, by letting their kids live there. In this case, they order garage conversion from the local contractor, and professionals there do all sorts of manipulations to make it a convenient place to live. This also requires going through a long and tiresome approval process, which includes obtaining the necessary permits to convert the garage legally. We believe this is another great chance to create extra living space and satisfy the needs you have in terms of organizing your own small business, for example.

Consequences of Not Having Permits

We have already mentioned that a converted garage cannot just exist without any permits given, as unpermitted garage conversions face all sorts of penalties, and homeowners who take this risk should understand that. 

It is applied according to local building codes, but nevertheless, all illegal units will face consequences:

• Among other legal issues, one of the most severe ones is financial penalties. The amount of money paid will vary depending on regulations or the extent of converted space. Also, different fines may be applied, including a set amount of money, daily fines, or percentage fines that are meticulously calculated by tax agents.
• Another situation it may lead to is forced demolition. If safety standards are not met or garages converted into ADUs violate zoning requirements, ADU laws may force you to destroy the building, leaving you without a garage and unit at the same time. But before you start tearing the apartment down, think of ways to avoid it; perhaps you could change something inside the unit to make it fit the requirements.
• We have mentioned how a detached garage or other living spaces can significantly increase the value of the whole lot, but the situation becomes completely opposite when an unpermitted unit is erected. Unpermitted conversions put a strain on the whole lot, and potential buyers rarely want to buy such units at all, hence limiting your resale opportunities.

As you can see, obtaining the necessary permits beforehand is a better way of getting your garage converted. Building regulations are not a joke, and they need to be respected by all homeowners. However, if you lack the knowledge or skills to obtain the necessary permits, you can always hire A+ so they can do it for you.

Insurance Complications

Apart from being quite dangerous constructions and the possibility of leaving you empty-handed, an unpermitted ADU can also lead to certain troubles with the insurance, as these companies also don’t want to lose their money. Let’s break down possible complications.

Homeowners may face the following difficulties with obtaining insurance:

• Coverage denial

In case the damage is done to the converted garage, some companies may not compensate for the expenses. They explain it in the following way: unpermitted ADUs, including garages, represent property that does not meet safety standards and building codes. Therefore, the risk of property damage increases significantly. Even if you file a claim for such damages, the main argument of insurance companies is that the actions of the owner contributed to the damages, so they can easily deny the coverage.

• Increased premiums

In the case of unpermitted property, insurance companies may easily charge a higher premium. Because such buildings are considered to be of higher risk, their damage is much more probable, leading to potential safety hazards. To mitigate the loss of money, local laws normally allow insurance companies to charge more after you illegally convert a garage. They consider every square foot when looking at the architectural plans and give their assessment.

• Limited coverage

Sometimes, insurance may even be given, but depending on how large the unit is, coverage is usually limited to living spaces that don’t follow building codes. For example, certain damages or losses may be excluded from the coverage. The structural integrity of the whole building should be regulated, and when it does not happen, the resulting damage is a normal situation; hence, the coverage is unreasonable here. All in all, homeowners who build without following code requirements will not get the money they hope for.

Before you convert a garage it is essential to not only follow the building codes but also look for a decent insurance company. Without insurance, the living space you have may turn into useless quarters in the nick of time.

Perfect Moment to Obtain a Permit

There is no general rule that you should follow in terms of when to obtain the permits. At the same time, it should be obtained anyway, so the earlier you deal with it, the better. Normally, a permit is required when you add a new room or bathroom to your garage. Such conversion, if done improperly, may lead to its destruction and hence requires extra support or new utilities. What is more, sometimes owners want to remove a wall or modify the roof to install solar panels, for example, there. This also changes the structure of the unit and requires a permit.

Remember that even though adding additional room in place of an old garage may seem like a desirable renovation, a legal ADU requires the necessary documents, and this takes time. Even small changes to the units must be registered in the building department, for example. The whole process takes time, and no owner should forget about it. The permit for an accessory dwelling unit should be obtained in advance; therefore, the plans for it should be provided beforehand.

In order to avoid difficult situations, everyone who wants to build an ADU should consult with building codes, as they vary from place to place. Normally, the application for the permits includes the garage conversion costs, the resulting living space, dimensions of the unit, including ceiling height and walls, and plans for nearby property. If you don’t need the resulting headache, it is always possible to consult with construction companies like A+, which can provide assistance and expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

How long does the construction normally last?

The creation of any ADU is a rather long process that can take up to 18 months. However, it varies depending on the unit that you want to see on your lot. As for detached and attached ADUs, they require a lot of time and effort to reach their final stage. On the contrary, junior ADUs and garage conversions take less than a year to be fully completed. Therefore, converting your garage is actually a time-saving way of getting living quarters in possession. But remember that the process includes different stages, from the creation of a plan and getting necessary permits to leaving the final touches.

How do I find experts who will obtain permits for me?

For a regular person, it may be quite difficult to navigate the obstacles of the legal process, so sometimes, it is more convenient to hire professionals who would figure it out much faster. You can ask around the city; perhaps one of your neighbors has already converted a garage. Or you can use the Internet before converting your garage to find a trustworthy remodeling company. They usually work with any living space and find compliance with the building code, which is the easiest task that exists for them. You simply pay them before converting your garage, and magically, the building regulations will not stop you from the dream ADU.

Why is it important to not meddle with the legal unit?

Even garage conversions, no matter how small they are, have a vast array of implications, and homeowners should always remember them. The permit you get from the building officials is a vitally important step in converting your garage, as without it, the sole presence of a converted garage loses its necessity, as it can be demolished at any moment. What is more, a real document grants you a sense of security in the future that is vital for our existence.