When we wanted to add an attached 24x26 garage to our old farm house, we had no limits on height or size, our garage part is 24' deep, and 26' wide, we also had 10' more feet in additional width as a 10' wide entry for our house which we needed badly, then we have 8' overhang in front and 12' overhang in back for a 12'x36' screen porch. Our zoning does not consider overhangs as part of the dimension for future taxes that you apply for. The overhang is taxed at much lower valueation... but consider these hints:
1. Truss company will help you design the roofing trusses (most do it for free) to maximize space you can use above and below the trusses. Consider " attic trusses " which give you full stand up height storage space in the 'attic' area but on the outside it still looks like a 1 1/2 story design to get you past nosey neighbors or inspectors.
The trusses can also be built to extend out over your garage doors for a HUGE overhang area in front of the doors. Great for parking cars under the overhang in winter for guests plus it keeps rain away from your garage doors. My overhang is 8 feet out from the garage doors.
They do wonders these days with custom designed trusses that give you huge storage areas, then add gable end windows for ventilation and light up there.
2. Use 2x6's for your walls, allows more insulation and strength for 'attic truss' needs.
3. I also 2nd the "in slab" heat, its wonderful but remember to plan it so that any lift you install wont puncture any heat tubes in the floor. In fact, if you plan your lift location accurately, you can 'beef' up those corner locations with more slab concrete at those points where you will have bolts installed. Then you route your slab heat tubes around those areas.
4. Use at minimum a 100 amp elec. breaker box just for the new garage, so you have endless power options, 200amp boxes are about the same price but you might have to have new 200amp service pulled in from the pole, which adds to the price. Then put 20amp GFI outlets every 4' all the way around your new garage, plus a 220v if you plan on welding equipment. Also have exterior outlets on all 4 sides.
5. Plan your CAT 5 wires and TV cable for internet and speaker wires for TV and stereo system or surround sound.
6. Buy only thermal insulated windows of course to hold heat and keep out hot air in the summer.
7. Consider a heavy dute ventilation fan to exhaust summer heat out and any fumes you might create in the garage.
Those are a few ideas that we used in our new garage.
Here are some pics that might give you some ideas and ask if you have any questions about our project :
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