ᐅ Garage approved, is it now possible to build a carport of the same size instead?

Hello everyone,
I’m new here and want to get straight to the point. I have a small issue that’s been bothering me a bit because I want to do everything correctly.

We built a house at the end of last year and included a garage measuring 6 x 9 m (20 x 30 ft) in the building application for possible future use (retrofit).
As you might expect, prices, tradesmen, and everything related have increased significantly since then. Even my builder can no longer honor the original price he offered for the garage, understandably.

Now I’m thinking, since the building permit was granted for the garage at that time, could I just put up a carport of similar size and enclose it, adding a door, without running into problems with the building authorities? Or would I still need to apply for a new permit? The volume and dimensions would be basically the same, but the difference is that it wouldn’t be brick-built but constructed using a timber frame method.

Unfortunately, I’m totally inexperienced in this area, and no matter whom I ask, I get very different answers.

Is the construction method of your garage specified in the building application or permit?
I was once told by an official at the building authority that, from a regulatory perspective, there is no difference between a garage and a carport. However, I cannot say if this applies universally or at all times.
To be on the safe side, you could stick with a carport within the threshold size that does not require a permit (usually 30m² (320 ft²)) and then build one or two additional garden sheds that also do not require a permit.

ligno18 schrieb:

Unfortunately, I am completely inexperienced in this matter, and no matter whom you ask, you always get very different answers.

And then you thought, I’ll try the Internet—surely it’s different there *ROTFL* *SCNR*

ligno18 schrieb:

Now I’ve been thinking that since I basically got approval for the garage building permit / planning permission back then, I could just put up a carport of similar size, clad it, and install a gate.

I would rather suggest implementing the approved structure in phases: for example, leave out the gate (with it, it’s actually no longer a carport); the screed, plaster, and all the finishing details don’t really matter for the car. Since this is your first post (and your thread history with the complete approved plan is missing), it’s not possible to give more tailored advice.

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That should not cause any problems, unless your development plan specifically requires garages.
In our area, it’s the other way around: many people have enclosed their wooden carports and added a gate.
At the building authority, if nothing is stipulated, they check the area, height, setback, and structural integrity. How it is built later on does not matter.

Ultimately, you can always add to it later if you want.

Tolentino schrieb:

Is the construction method of your garage specified in the building application or permit?
A building department employee once told me that there is no legal difference between a garage and a carport. Whether that is always (and everywhere) true, I can’t say.
To be on the safe side, you could keep the carport within the permit-exempt size (usually 30m² (320 ft²)) and then build one or two additional permit-exempt garden sheds separately.

Fortunately, it is not specified; I just checked, and only the sizes and the volume are mentioned.

11ant schrieb:

And then you thought, I’ll check online—surely it’s different there *ROTFL* *SCNR*


I would rather carry out the approved construction in phases: for example, just leave out the gate (with it’s actually no longer a carport); screed, plaster, all those finishing touches that don’t really matter to the car. Since this is your first post (and your thread history with the complete approved plan is missing), it’s not possible to give more tailored advice.

Yes, that’s true about the internet, but with enough replies you can at least get a general idea.

I agree with you about the building permit/planning permission. I didn’t realize there could be so many differences; I thought they would all be quite similar and structured in much the same way. I will upload the application next week, maybe then we can draw more specific conclusions.