What is a garage apartment?
A garage apartment is a living unit on the floor above a garage. You keep covered parking and gain a home without using more of the yard. In Northeast Florida it has a second advantage: the living space sits a full story up, which can keep it above flood levels on lower lots.
Can I build one in Jacksonville?
As an ADU under the city's 2022 ordinance, yes in principle, with two limits that shape the design. The ADU was reported to be capped at no taller than the main house, so a two-story garage apartment generally needs a two-story home to sit beside. And the footprint cap of 25% of the main home's floor area or 750 sq ft applies.
Does flood zone help or hurt?
Both. The upper floor can easily sit above the required flood elevation. The garage below, if it is in a special flood hazard area and below that elevation, is limited to parking, storage and access, and must be built with flood-resistant materials and openings that let water pass. We design the ground floor to those rules.
What makes it a harder build?
- Structure. The garage must carry a second floor and resist hurricane loads; most existing garages need new footings or a full rebuild.
- Stairs. An exterior stair needs room and must meet code for rise, run and guards.
- Height. The tie to the main house's height can rule it out next to a one-story home.
- Utilities. Water, sewer and power have to reach the second floor.
Can I add a floor to my existing garage?
It depends on what is under it. Very few garages were built to carry a second story. An engineer checks the footings, walls and roof framing; often the cheaper answer is to take the garage down and build the whole thing new. We give you both prices when both are possible.
Related
As of October 2026. Sources: reporting on City of Jacksonville Ordinance 2022-0448; FEMA and NFIP rules for enclosures below the flood elevation; Angi and HomeGuide national cost ranges.