How To Look At A House

McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of  

site-built, mobile/manufactured and modular homes

Is a golf cart garage considered the same as a car garage in the building codes?

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Yes. Here’s the definition of a garage in the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC): “A building or a portion of a building in which one or more self-propelled vehicles can be kept for use, sale, storage, rental, repair, exhibition or demonstration purposes.” And a private garage (as opposed to public one) is defined by the 2018 International Buidling Code (IBC) as: "A building or portion of a building in which motor vehicles used by the owner or tenant of the building or buildings on the premises are stored or kept, without provisions for repairing or servicing such vehicles for profit."

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Field Guide for Home Inspectors, a quick reference for finding the age of 154 brands of HVAC systems, water heaters, and electrical panels, plus 210 code standards for site-built and manufactured homes, and the life expectancy rating of 195 home components. Available at amazon.com for $19.95.
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Here’s links to some of our other articles about GARAGES AND CARPORTS:

Why is a garage floor sloped?  

What is the difference between a carport and a garage? 

Why is my garage ceiling sagging? 

Why are there score line grooves in the concrete floor of the garage? 

What are the common problems when a homeowner converts a garage to conditioned living space, such as a family room? 
 
 • What are the code requirements for fire separation between an attached garage and the house?

Can a bedroom door open into the garage?

Does an attached garage that is only used for storage or as a workshop, and not for parking a car, still have to comply with building code requirements for a garage?

How far apart should electric receptacle outlets be placed in a garage? 

Why if the garage door track a white tube?

What is the raised metal plate on the floor under the garage door?

 Why do I have to hold down the button to close the garage door? 

How can I check my garage door to make sure it is safe?  

What does a home inspector check on an electric garage door? 

• Can the a garage door header bracket and torsion springs be mounted through drywall? 

How can I tell if cracks in the garage floor are a problem or not? 

Is tempered/safety glass required by the building code for windows and doors? 

Why can't I use my home's central air conditioning system to cool the garage? 

 What is the unusual garage door opener mounted on the wall above the door and marked "Wayne Dalton”?

When were GFCI receptacle outlets first required in the garage?

• Why are most pull-down attic ladders not approved by building code for installation in a garage?

• Is the wood anchor pad for a garage door rail and torsion spring supposed to be nailed or bolted to the wall? 

Is a ceiling receptacle outlet for a garage door opener required to be GFCI protected? 

What is the minimum slope for a garage floor slab?

Can you run exposed NM-cable (Romex) in a garage?  

What causes a garage floor to crack?

• What is the difference between an attached and detached garage? 

What is code for the fire rating for garage walls?

• What is code for the fire rating for a garage ceiling? 

What is code for air conditioning a garage?

• Can I use plywood between garage and living space of my house? 

Is an attached garage required to have a door to the house or exterior?

• How can I make my garage cooler in the Florida heat? 

Does a garage door opener need its own separate dedicated circuit?

• Is a ceiling required in a garage by code? 

Do I need a permit enclose a carport into a garage?

• Can PVC water pipe be used in a garage? 

• When did the code change from minimum one receptacle per garage to one receptacle per garage vehicle bay?

What are the minimum code requirements for a residential garage? 

• Why is it a dangerous mistake to attach a carport, porch, or room addition directly to the roof of a mobile home? 

• Do I need a building permit to construct a metal carport in Florida?

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