Want to look into what would be involved in replacing my run down garage and foundation. Would I contact the state, county, or township. I'm in Cincinnati, Ohio. Hamilton County specifically. Would like to go bigger but not sure if that's even allowed.
Thanks Dan
Go to the Town/Village/City Hall and ask for the codes and statutes for building garages. Lots of of municipalities have links on their websites even. Have you checked there?
Menards has some simple design services that can drop ship everything you need to your location. At the least, it'll give you an estimate for material costs.
Before you knock anything down, also be aware of local ordinances and codes. If your current garage is right close to a lot line, you may need an exemption and/or you may want to basically leave part of that structure there and "rebuild it" to be grandfathered in as needed to keep the location and such.
Most townships/counties have all the codes online nowadays.
I haven't checked with my township but will after work. I haven't tore down anything and won't til I have all the answers. My garage is very close to the border between mine and my neighbors yard.
Generally if you leave the foundation, you're good. In rare instances you'll need to reuse the original framing. I.e. replace the framing covertly before removing the outer structure to make it pre-existing then do the outer structure after doing the framework. Check to confirm as it's more involved if having to go that route.
I would suggest that you begin any discussion with the city county folks with asking what is required to REPAIR your existing garage. Repair permits often bypass zoning departments because they are existing. This would mean no expansions, but may also reduce the quantity of documents required (surveys, hydrology studies, variance requests, construction drawings) as well as limit property value reassessments. Once you get an idea of the process for repairs you can always ask a hypothetical "what if I wanted to add a few feet of storage?" Question to see how fast that would escalate the time and money outlay.
I'm going to inquire about repair and rebuild. I've got contact names and numbers just haven't called. The foundation has cracks and has shifted some. The slab is also cracking. Not sure if it's worth it to repair the foundation and slab or just bulldoze and start new.
Just spoke with the building inspector. My garage is actually larger than current code would allow but is grandfathered in. If I rebuild I cant go any larger. I could build an attached garage larger than my current one but I'd have to tear down the existing one since they'd be too close. Don't really want an attached garage anyway. Now to see if the original structure can be saved.
You can always fix and existing structure. One wall at a time. It'll look like new in no time. 
xflowgolf wrote: Before you knock anything down, also be aware of local ordinances and codes. If your current garage is right close to a lot line, you may need an exemption and/or you may want to basically leave part of that structure there and "rebuild it" to be grandfathered in as needed to keep the location and such. Most townships/counties have all the codes online nowadays.
This is my case, one wall right on the property line. Garage is getting emptied out this spring regardless. Hoping for a complete teardown and new expanded rebuild but may have to keep some existing structure to comply. We'll see soon enough.
You should join this group as it's garages all the time.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/
mazdeuce wrote: You can always fix and existing structure. One wall at a time. It'll look like new in no time.
That's probably what is going to end up happening.
jimbbski wrote: You should join this group as it's garages all the time. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/
Been a member there for years although I never post. Love that site!
^^^^ dangerous site. Don't go there.
Mine's there: Garage Journal: 1066 BC
I was going to build a new barn, 30x60 to replace my old 1890 built 30x60. Then the township tells me that since it is to close to the existing road I can't build a new one on the same spot; however, they invite me to move it back twelve feet which is where my septic is. In the end I started the repairs on the old one which is about eight feet off a pretty busy road at a curve. Seems silly to spend MORE renovating an old barn than building a new one but that's the way it's going to go.
I'm $14000 into repairing it now....
still looks abandoned.
You'll need to log in to post.
