Garage + Accessory Building Maximums

• Max garage area (attached or detached): 1,000 sq ft
• Max total area of ALL accessory buildings combined: 1,200 sq ft
• Max detached garages on a lot: 1
• Attached, detached, or a combination of both may not exceed the lot coverage or floor area of the house.

Source: City of Richfield “Garages Attached & Detached” handout. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Lot Coverage + Impervious Surface

• Max lot coverage (all roofed areas/structures): 35% of total lot area
• Max impervious surface coverage: 45% of total lot area (includes roofed areas + driveway/walks/patios and other water-resistant surfaces)

These limits often drive what’s possible for garage size, driveway width, and placement. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Overhead Door Facing a Side or Rear Lot Line

If a vehicle access door faces a side or rear lot line, that side or rear setback must be 20 ft, except:

• If the door faces a side lot line that abuts a non-arterial / non-collector street, the side setback can be reduced to 15 ft.
• If the door faces a rear lot line that abuts an alley, the rear setback can be reduced to 15 ft.
• If the lot is less than 45 ft wide and the door faces an interior side lot line, the side setback can be reduced to 15 ft.

These rules are shown in the City diagrams (Fig. A / B / E). :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Alley Access + “Rear-of-House” Placement

• If alley access is provided at the rear (and there is no utility easement), the rear setback for a detached garage can be reduced to 2 ft.
• No detached garage may be located forward of the principal building line.
• If the detached garage is entirely 5 ft or more beyond the rear face of the principal building, the interior side setback can be reduced to 3 ft (this reduction is not available if the detached garage exceeds 14 ft in height).
• Roof overhangs (eaves) must be at least 2 ft from any lot line.

Source: City of Richfield handout (Setback Exceptions + diagrams). :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Standard Height Limits

• Vehicle door height: may not exceed 9 ft
• Attached garages: R = 25 ft, R-1 = 35 ft, MR-1 = 25 ft
• Detached garages: 14 ft (R / R-1 / MR-1)

Height is measured per the City definition (varies by roof type; measured on the vehicle-door side). :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Exceptions for 1.5-Story / 2-Story Detached Garages

• Lots under 75 ft wide: detached height may increase from 14 ft up to 18 ft or 1.5 stories or the height of the principal structure (whichever is less).
• Lots 75 ft wide or greater: detached height may increase up to the height of the principal structure (max 25 ft).
• The detached garage roof peak may not exceed the roof peak of the principal residence.
• Setback reductions are not available for detached garages that exceed 14 ft in height.

Design Standards for Taller Detached Garages

• Primary exterior materials must match the primary exterior materials of the house.
• Roof pitch must be substantially similar to the house roof pitch.
• Windows/false windows/doors or similar openings are required on all second-story walls.

Source: City of Richfield handout (Garage Height Requirements + Exceptions). :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Foundation + Concrete

• Attached garage footings: must extend to 42" frost depth.
• Detached garages: slabs on grade with turned-down (floating) footings may be used on all soils except peat and muck.
• Minimum slab thickness: 3 1/2" and reinforced.
• Concrete strength: 5000 psi at 28 days for footings (or engineered equivalent).
• Concrete must be protected from freezing until cured.

Source: General Building Code Requirements (A). :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Anchorage + Framing Basics

• Anchor bolts: 1/2" diameter, embedded 7", spaced max 6' o.c., with bolt placement rules near plate ends.
• Sill plates: pressure-treated (or approved species per code).
• Wall framing: minimum 2x4, max 24" o.c., and at least 3 studs at exterior corners.
• Top plates: doubled; lapped at corners/intersections; double top plate joints lapped 24" minimum.

Source: General Building Code Requirements (B–E). :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

Roof Framing + Snow Load

• Roof framing must account for spans, pitch, and materials; these need to be shown on plans.
• Snow load: 50 psf (as noted by the City).
• Manufactured trusses must be installed per manufacturer specifications.

Source: General Building Code Requirements (H). :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

Fire Separation + Property-Line Conditions

• Separation from the residence/attic area requires gypsum board on the garage side; floor/ceiling assemblies have higher protection requirements.
• Exterior walls less than 5 ft from a property line may require a 1-hour rated listed assembly (exposure both sides).
• Projections (soffits/overhangs) less than 5 ft from a property line may require a 1-hour rated underside.
• Curb blocks: 6" modular width minimum; 4" curb blocks not permitted.

Source: General Building Code Requirements (I–J) + Fire Separation notes. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

Site Plan (Typical)

• Property lines and all setback dimensions
• Proposed garage location + size
• Driveway / alley access shown
• Other roofed structures + impervious surfaces (helps confirm coverage %)
• Grade/slope notes as required

Building Plans (Typical)

• Door and window sizes + locations
• Header sizes over all openings
• Rafter/truss specs, spacing, direction
• Lumber species/grade
• Braced wall panels + anchor specs per MSBC (as referenced)
• Existing house height (for taller detached garage comparisons)

Source: “plans shall also include…” list in the handout. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}