The Essential Guide to Standard Garage Size in Victoria – No More Guessing!

Having a garage not only creates additional storage space in your home but also helps to beef up security by keeping intruders out. As such, there are many considerations to ponder when setting up a garage.

You can settle for any of the wide arrays of designs, sizes, and styles to suit your unique user needs. In this article, we will look at the standard garage size in Victoria, the different types of Australian garages, and what you must consider when remodeling or installing a new garage.

Standard Car Parking Spaces Requirements in Victoria 

The state regulates the standard garage size in terms of minimum dimensions. The local council may also have restrictions, so it’s wise to check. There are different types and garage designs to suit different user needs. The size of your garage should maximise the efficiency of the space available on your property. 

Victoria’s Planning Provisions, relying on the Municipal Planning Strategy and Planning Policy Framework, guide the design and construction of car parking spaces for residential dwellings. This standardisation ensures that a car parking doesn’t adversely impact the amenities in a neighborhood or community and also guarantees a safe environment for the residents. 

The defined requirements are set by the State on how many garages you can have. The number of parkings that you can have for your Victoria home is defined by either the number of bedrooms you have or the size of your total parking size in relation to the total site area. 

A car parking plan must specify the following: 

• All proposed car parking spaces 
• Lanes, driveways, and associated works
• Landscaping and other urban design elements 
• Finished levels, if requested by the governing authority 

The definitive nature of the law necessitates the need for households to rely on reputable professionals who can guide them accordingly as they put up their home. 

Types of Garage

Single Garage 

This type of garage is designed to accommodate one car of a regular size such as a sedan. They normally don’t have extra storage space but are common, especially in highly populated areas such as Melbourne CBD. The minimum dimensions of a single garage are 3.5m by 6m.

The standard size of a single garage door is normally 2100 mm in length and 2400 mm in width. It is a good option for both new and old garages. If you are remodeling an older home, you can find a single-size door that resembles the old one and retain the original look of your home. You can also choose a new style for aesthetic purposes if necessary.

Double Garage

The double size garage is also common for housing two regular-sized vehicles. The minimum dimensions for a double-size garage are 5.5m by 6m. The garage door measures the same as the single size in height at 2100mm but has more width at 4800 mm.

Multiple Car Parking

If you own multiple cars, you need to have enough floor space to accommodate the vehicles and leave extra space, about 500mm between the cars. This allows you to open the doors comfortably without banging or scratching the walls or adjacent cars.

It also allows you enough room to move in and around the vehicles. Such garages are found in luxury homes with extra hobby cars, and are prone to customisation to accommodate other storage and aesthetic needs.

Mechanical car parking, such as stackers, is a popular choice in modern Australian homes and apartments. It involves automated parking systems that use hydraulics and other innovative technology to maximise the use of available space. The garage includes lower and upper tiers for convenient parking. 

They are ideal for underground parking and make light work to park and retrieve your vehicle. With stackers, for instance, one can easily and conveniently retrieve their car from the upper levels without moving those packed at lower tiers. These parking systems come in handy for offices, homes, hotels, and residential buildings. Even so, make sure you meet the mechanical car parking standards.

Mechanical parking must meet the provisions found in Australian Standards AS 5124 that were launched in February 2017. These laws establish the minimum requirements for mechanical car storage systems. 

Some of the set standards are provided below: 

• At least a quarter of the mechanical parking lots should be able to accommodate a vehicle of a minimum height of 1.8 metres. 
• Mechanical car parking slots should only be allocated to visitors in a valet parking scenario. 
• The standards should meet the responsible authority’s satisfaction. 

Carport

If you intend to add additional space for your car, you do not always need to construct a garage. Whereas fabricated free-standing garages are an ideal and cheaper option, a carport may also be a reasonable alternative. A carport offers an affordable option that is easy to set up.

Open on all sides, it is more of a shade for your cars as it has a roof supported on all sides by pillars. They come in a variety of styles and types and may need council approval depending on the type you choose. Their only downside is that they don’t offer much security for your car as they only offer a roof.

Standard vs. Custom Design for your Victorian Home

Standard designs are predetermined in terms of size, appearance, and style. However, for a more personal touch, a custom design may come in handy. Likely, you can’t find what you are looking for in standard garage door designs, prompting the need for a custom design. 

That way, you can design a standard single garage size or a double garage size that fits your preference for aesthetic appeal, style, size, materials, and colors. A custom design can also allow you to get a specialty garage door designed just for you. 

What to Consider for your Custom Design

Size of your car

The variation in size between different makes and models of cars means that the car size dictates the size of your garage and garage doors. The minimum dimensions according to the state may not suit every other car. Thus, it’s important to ask yourself the type of vehicles you drive and their sizes.

The bigger the car, the more space it will utilise. Hence, your car size can help you determine if you need to have extra space for maneuvering or storage purposes.

Flooring

There is an assortment of flooring options available for your standard single or standard double garage size. The most important aspect is to have the floor sturdy enough for support. Concrete is the most common floor material used as it is thick and sturdy. Other materials such as timber can be used for a more custom design. Timber helps to bring in a natural and bold statement in your garage.

Winter salt damage is a common problem in Victoria homes, please make sure your floor is cured and treated and garage design is well ventilated to prevent any structural and health issues to your house.

Structural integrity

You need to find the suitable material whose strength is unquestionable but also will be cost-effective and low-maintenance in the long run. 

Steel reinforced concrete panels are one of the highly recommended options. It is durable, extremely strong, and can withstand the extreme conditions experienced in Australia. The use of core filled blockworks is another viable construction material. Compared to reinforced concrete, it is cheaper, more versatile but will require a longer construction time as every block is stacked by hand labor.. 

There are a lot of old Victoria homes completely built with timber frame and cladding with weather boards, but if you are worried about the durability of wood and wood products, brick is a material that you should consider. It is not as affected by heat or dampness. In addition, brick is available in various colours. 

When it comes to doors, you have several options to choose from. The most common one is the tilt up. It is a favorite amongst many households but they could prove to be an obstacle if you have a big car. The other two options you can choose is either a sliding single door or a roll-up door. Each selection comes with its own unique factors that make them ideal for your Victorian home. 

Council Approval

In most parts of Australia, any construction must be approved by the relevant local council and a building approval issued by the Building Authority. Make sure that your garage construction is approved by your local municipality and that it meets the standards set by the local council.

Space and Use

How you intend to use the garage plays a role in its construction. In most cases, a garage is also used as an extra storage space. Thus, apart from the floor space needed for your car, additional space for storage or other activities must be set aside. It should also be enough to allow the vehicle in and out of the garage hassle-free.

Access

The accessibility depends on the owner’s preference. If you want easy access to the garage from the main house, you may need a linking door between the garage and the living room or any other room in the house. However, such accessibility must only be limited to you and the people in your household.

An intruder can access the rest of the house by gaining entry to your garage. An alarm system, a passcode, or biometric locks are ideal to prevent that from happening. 

Wrapping Up

For a Custom Victorian Design for your Garage, get in touch with SQM Architects. You will not only be assured of professionalism and expertise, but also a trustworthy partner who takes time to understand your needs and deliver beyond expectations.