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Current page: ROT/EXT-GARAGE-BAY-WIDTH
Rule of thumbRecommended

Garage bay dimensions: 10×20 ft single; 18-20 ft × 20 ft double; 30-32 ft × 22 ft triple

ROT/EXT-GARAGE-BAY-WIDTH

Description

Garage interior dimensions per bay: 1-car = 10 ft × 20 ft minimum (12 ft × 22 ft generous). 2-car = 18-20 ft × 20-22 ft (a 22-ft-wide double bay accommodates two cars + sides). 3-car = 30-32 ft × 22-24 ft. Garage doors: 8 ft wide for single, 16 ft for double, or 8 ft + 8 ft (more flexibility). Ceiling height ≥ 8 ft to clear opener mechanisms; 9 ft if storage above doors planned.

Why this exists

Generous garages support both the cars AND the typical 'plus' use (workbench, freezer, storage, kayaks). Tight garages (smaller than these) become single-use parking spaces. Architects designing residential should size garages from the use-program backwards, not just from car count.

Measurements

PropertyOperatorValueUnitNote
singleWidthmin10ft1-car bay width
doubleWidthmin18ft2-car bay width
tripleWidthmin30ft3-car bay width

Categories

SiteAesthetic

Source

Professional consensusno manifest entry
Architectural Graphic Standards (Ramsey/Sleeper) ()
Section: Residential design conventions
Published 2024-01-01 · last verified 2026-05-15

Solver enforcement

Browsable only — the solver does not currently enforce this directive (no spec-level data to check against). This entry exists so the architect personas can cite it in conversation and the user can read what the rule says.

Related directives

Last reviewed 2026-05-15.