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#1 kriswaters

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Posted 18 May 2015 - 08:21 PM

Hello all,

 

I'm new to Empire Ranch community. I have a 3 car garage. I dont have a bedroom down stairs. Can I convert my 3 car garage to 2 car garage and add living space. This will chaange my home appreance from front. It will have a window and 3 car garage to 2 car garage. Is this acceptable with the community, if the design and architecutre are well above the standard.

 

Thanks!!



#2 ducky

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Posted 18 May 2015 - 09:11 PM

Hello all,

 

I'm new to Empire Ranch community. I have a 3 car garage. I dont have a bedroom down stairs. Can I convert my 3 car garage to 2 car garage and add living space. This will chaange my home appreance from front. It will have a window and 3 car garage to 2 car garage. Is this acceptable with the community, if the design and architecutre are well above the standard.

 

Thanks!!

 

Welcome to Folsom

Did you get the CC&Rs for Empire Ranch when you moved in?  I just looked up a copy from 2000 and it says garages are not to be converted for any type of living quarters.

Anybody know if those are enforced?



#3 nomad

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Posted 18 May 2015 - 09:40 PM

House or 2 here in South Lexington have done this. Quite frankly I think it looks awful. The old garage door is replaced and stucco'd over or maybe a window added but it still doesn't look right when you have a driveway in front.

 

And would you want to sleep in a garage even though it's converted? There have been many diverse families that do this and shove their in-laws out there and i suppose that's better than what they had before but it still ain't right.



#4 leenda

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Posted 18 May 2015 - 09:50 PM

While I cannot speak to the applicability of the CC&Rs that Empire Ranch may have, I do know that you or your contractor will need to get permits from the City.  I would suggest that you contact Folsom's Community Development Department, Building Safety/Permit Division at 916/351-3555.  I think they'll be able to provide the information you will need before embarking on this project.  Good luck (and welcome to Folsom!!)



#5 4thgenFolsomite

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Posted 19 May 2015 - 04:17 AM

So many of the new (meaning last 20 years) are built to look good, instead of being built to live in. It always amazes me how nearly all the two-story homes have no bedroom downstairs. It leads me to think these neighborhoods will never be communities because people will not be able to grow old in their own house.
Knowing the past helps deciphering the future.

#6 supermom

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Posted 19 May 2015 - 07:15 AM

Seems to me like you have to be very careful about fire and poison/exhaust when converting garages into living spaces. 

Maybe a cheap fix to have an exhaust ventilation system added into plan in order to get conversion approved.



#7 ducky

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Posted 19 May 2015 - 08:10 AM

Seems to me like you have to be very careful about fire and poison/exhaust when converting garages into living spaces. 

Maybe a cheap fix to have an exhaust ventilation system added into plan in order to get conversion approved.

 

Those are definitely considerations, as well as the water heater's location if it is in the garage.

 

Leenda's advice was the best.  Check with the city first before starting anything or you may be wasting time & money.



#8 TruthSeeker

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Posted 19 May 2015 - 08:38 AM

The prior owners of my house built a room/office in the 3rd bay of my garage, it's actually very nice, built just like a regular room with drywall etc, has a side window too.  The front garage door was left intact so that part wasn't converted and there's a wall in front of the door now so it's not like it will ever be opened. One of my kids moved into the room to have their own outside entrance.  We don't park our cars in the garage so no worries about exhaust etc.  No idea if it was built legitimately or not. 


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#9 ducky

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Posted 19 May 2015 - 08:43 AM

The prior owners of my house built a room/office in the 3rd bay of my garage, it's actually very nice, built just like a regular room with drywall etc, has a side window too.  The front garage door was left intact so that part wasn't converted and there's a wall in front of the door now so it's not like it will ever be opened. One of my kids moved into the room to have their own outside entrance.  We don't park our cars in the garage so no worries about exhaust etc.  No idea if it was built legitimately or not. 

 I could see where this would work because it doesn't change the appearance of the home from the front.  It would also work for tandem-style garages where a window or door could go on the side of the home.  It complies with the new municipal code that requires two off-street covered parking spaces for single-family residences.



#10 Steve Heard

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Posted 19 May 2015 - 12:04 PM

Empire Ranch has several different subdivisions with varying rules for each. If there is an HOA, you have to contact them.

 

Some of the homes came with an optional bedroom or 3rd garage bay. I don't know if it will make a difference if you have one of those.

 

I've seen many folks convert their garages and left the garage door intact so no one sees what's on the other side.


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#11 caligirlz

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Posted 19 May 2015 - 12:57 PM

I remember much discussion (& complaint) about Empire Ranch CC&R's not allowing people to park in the driveway...I dont recall which development this was related to. 

Since ER is a really new neighborhood, I cant imagine your neighbors being really happy with this plan. Not that they matter in your decisions. Still. 

 

Too bad you could not buy a house that met your needs without having to do a conversion. Good luck. 






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