Tell me about your garage/carriage house, please

Is there an apartment/studio? If so, how many square feet is it? Do you have plumbing/gas out to it? Do you use it for a studio/work space/apartment for guests/tenants? Thanks!

Bump

qrysdonnell is right. They keep it this way by forbidding plumbing to your garage.

qrysdonnell said:

I have a car in it.  I know that's kind of weird around here.
I seem to recall hearing that zoning regulations make it next to impossible to have a detached building zoned for people to reside in, so unless you're grandfathered in (i.e. it's already built) you'll probably have an impossible time converting a garage into a residential building.

When we replaced our detached garage, we inquired about plumbing (in order to have a hand-washing station) and were told that it was forbidden.   

We keep our cars in our garage - so nice not to have to clear snow off them in the winter or have them baking in the sun in the summer!

I have a differently zoned piece of property than most. Have talked to township about it already and have good reason to believe we can do plumbing, the whole nine. I just want to, honestly, see some carriage house/garage apartments beyond just driving around and peeking at them from the street.

We just explained why you won't see them, even if you are allowed to have one.

In 20 years in real estate I have seen 3 "legal" carriage houses in all of Maplewood and South Orange that had heat and hot water and were habitable.    The carriage houses could be used or lived in only by family members or paid staff.   It was not legal to rent them out.   

If you are  trying to get design ideas, go on Pinterest and search "garage living space ideas" or carraige house design plans, etc.  You will get to see many things.  Not the same as in real life - but good for inspiration