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Homeowners with unpermitted garage conversations may soon have the opportunity to apply for amnesty.
Of more than 1,393 visible garage conversions the city documented in 2023, only 358 were legally permitted, according to the presentation given to the Farmers Branch Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) on June 10.
The city’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance requires all single-family homes to have garages on the property, so more than 1,000 homes with illegal garage conversions cannot receive permitting for any other remodel work on their homes. The amnesty program would allow homeowners to have their spaces inspected and fix any health and safety violations, without worry about bringing the entire home or space up to current building code and be exempted from the requirement to build a new garage.
“It’s caused problems when a new homeowner purchases the property and they want to do a remodel, they want to do something with their home, and we’re like, ‘I’m sorry. You can’t. This wasn’t permitted so you either have to leave your house the way it is, or you have to build another garage,’” Director of Community Services Danielle Summers said. “It’s caused a lot of problems, especially the smaller homes. A lot of the families can’t afford to build another garage or their property does not allow for another garage.”
The proposed amnesty program would require an application with a $100 fee to be submitted through the city’s community services department by January 31, 2026, and an inspection to ensure that all applicable building and life safety codes are met. All required changes would require separate permits and re-inspections.
Examples of health and safety issues that Summers provided P&Z during their study session included egress, smoke detectors and water heaters in bedrooms and sleeping areas.
“We’re going to do the best that we can to make sure they’re safe,” she said.
She did say that the department would not require homeowners to re-route their driveways.
“This has created issues, especially for new property owners, where the previous property owner converted their garage,” said Brian Campbell, senior planning technician, said during the P&Z public hearing. “We’re hoping to rectify this issue.”
“This is really an opportunity for residents, right?” asked P&Z Commissioner Marcus Miller.
“Yes, sir,” Campbell said.
“They’re already in non-compliance and it’s giving a relatively easy path to come into compliance. It’s not punitive … in the study session, you promoted it that way.”
“Absolutely,” Campbell said.
Two residents, Patrick Beal and Jan Myers, spoke during the public hearing, asking for clarity and offering suggestions to the program.
“This is not going to be an avenue for somebody to convert their garage,” Summers said. “We’re going to be watching for that.”
The Farmers Branch Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the program, with a few changes as it was proposed to the Farmers Branch City Council.
The City Council will hold a public hearing about the matter on Tuesday, July 16.
