Is a variance required to add a bedroom over a non-conforming garage?
4/23/2018 at 9:08:57 PM
My 60 y.o. single-family house in Halifax Nova Scotia has an attached garage that is 2' away from the side property line, so inside of the 6' side-yard setback. I'm considering adding a bedroom addition over the garage. I don't plan to increase the footprint of the house, nor overhang the existing garage, so the addition would be entirely within the footprint, though the new second-storey bedroom would be inside the side-yard setback.
Would I require a variance to receive a permit?
4/23/2018 at 10:35:07 PM
There are both development and Building Code regulations at play.
If your garage is only 2' from your side property line you can be assured your municipality will not allow any improvement or change of use.
Code requires houses to have a minimum of 4' (1.2 m) to the property line and it only increases from there depending on the percentage of unprotected openings.
Development has their own set of rules on top of that.
Ian Derksen
Safety Codes Officer - Building
4/24/2018 at 9:48:18 AM
Best bet for you is to contact your local building officials, present a rough sketch and measurements, and briefly state what you would like to accomplish. They would be happy to put you on the right path.
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