Planning new garage

[BP in ME]

I always though if I built a garage it would have to doors. One in the front and one in the back making it a pull through. Plus it gives you access to the back yard straight out the back door. Just give it some thought.

Several good points have been made and I appreciate all the suggestions. I'm putting a 5' door in the back for the ZTR but alas, there's no chance of making a drive thru for the boat. The biggest obstacle to making things the way I want them is shoreland zoning and the way I'm boxed in. I'm somewhat grandfathered by the existing structure but not allowed to have any part of the building be closer to the water than the original footprint. I'm also facing some height restrictions

[Fishshooter]

Several good points have been made and I appreciate all the suggestions. I'm putting a 5' door in the back for the ZTR but alas, there's no chance of making a drive thru for the boat. The biggest obstacle to making things the way I want them is shoreland zoning and the way I'm boxed in. I'm somewhat grandfathered by the existing structure but not allowed to have any part of the building be closer to the water than the original footprint. I'm also facing some height restrictions

Sounds like you have done your homework. Is there any variances available that would allow you to "remodel" the existing building bigger ? Sometimes it's allowed if you reuse a wall of an existing structure instead of completely replacing the entire structure. Which side of your new building would you have closer to the shoreline in order to go bigger ? Not knowing your layout, would it be possible to gain size by going more to a side or possibly giving up some driveway ? Don't know if making a variance request thru an attorney would possibly help or not. Just a couple more ideas that I have had friends go thru when they wanted a bigger garage. Good luck & hope you can get this resolved.

[BP in ME]

Sounds like you have done your homework. Is there any variances available that would allow you to "remodel" the existing building bigger ? Sometimes it's allowed if you reuse a wall of an existing structure instead of completely replacing the entire structure. Which side of your new building would you have closer to the shoreline in order to go bigger ? Not knowing your layout, would it be possible to gain size by going more to a side or possibly giving up some driveway ? Don't know if making a variance request thru an attorney would possibly help or not. Just a couple more ideas that I have had friends go thru when they wanted a bigger garage. Good luck & hope you can get this resolved.

A variance might be possible. I don't want to say anything bad about the code officer (yet). He hasn't even reviewed the situation and won't do a site eval until a permit is filed. When I say "boxed in" I'm not exaggerating. Water on 3 sides (mostly behind it). And in front, there's the discontinued town road that serves as my driveway. I have to stay 10' back from that line

[Fishshooter]

A variance might be possible. I don't want to say anything bad about the code officer (yet). He hasn't even reviewed the situation and won't do a site eval until a permit is filed. When I say "boxed in" I'm not exaggerating. Water on 3 sides (mostly behind it). And in front, there's the discontinued town road that serves as my driveway. I have to stay 10' back from that line

I don't know who your "code officer" reports to, but I'd try to go over his head somehow, if possible, to try to get answers. If a building permit only costs say $25 , it might be worth it just to get things moving foreward with real answers after a site evaluation. Good luck.

[BP in ME]

I don't know who your "code officer" reports to, but I'd try to go over his head somehow, if possible, to try to get answers. If a building permit only costs say $25 , it might be worth it just to get things moving foreward with real answers after a site evaluation. Good luck.

Exactly my strategy. I've talked to state DEP to get a feel for the current reasons and goals of the regulations. (I have a degree in Environmental Biology so I studied and used to know the regs very well but things change in 35 years). They aren't wanting to prevent people from having nice homes. They want to minimize and prevent damage to the water resource and, to some extent, keep the natural beauty intact.

[Fishshooter]

Exactly my strategy. I've talked to state DEP to get a feel for the current reasons and goals of the regulations. (I have a degree in Environmental Biology so I studied and used to know the regs very well but things change in 35 years). They aren't wanting to prevent people from having nice homes. They want to minimize and prevent damage to the water resource and, to some extent, keep the natural beauty intact.

Hopefully then you will know the laws & regulations better than this "code officer" before its said & done. Might be worth documenting your findings as you go so can avoid being misinformed/misled by him once he is involved. He might not like you for doing that, or he might be impressed you did the research . At least you will know what's allowed & what's not.