Title
Provide an update on the Garage Conversion Amnesty Permit Program for single-family homes with unauthorized garage conversions.
Body
REQUESTOR:
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Roger Neal
BACKGROUND:
City Council approved Ordinance No. 3873 on July 16, 2024, establishing the Amnesty Permit Program (Program) for unauthorized garage conversions of single-family homes completed before that date. The purpose of the Program was to ensure that garage conversions complied with health, safety, and minimum building codes, to validate unauthorized conversions, and thus to allow the issuance of permits for the future expansion of the subject homes.
The Program established an 18-month amnesty period (July 16, 2024, through January 31, 2026) to allow homeowners to apply for an Amnesty Program Permit at a cost of $100. As part of the Program, homeowners were required to:
• Submit an Amnesty Program Permit application
• Consent to the inspection of the converted garage area
• Complete modifications or repairs, if required, within 30 days or within a maximum of 180 days if an extension was granted
Upon final inspection, the permit would be issued, thus removing the non-conforming status of the home and allowing permits to be issued for expansions in the future.
DISCUSSION:
As of November 18, 2025, a total of 177 permit applications have been received. Of the 177 permit applications received, 128 homes achieved compliance and permits were issued, with 19 permits currently in the inspection, plan review, or resubmittal phase. The remaining permits received have been voided, cancelled, expired, or the applicant has taken no further action to complete the permitting process.
At the conclusion of the amnesty period on January 31, 2026, an estimated total of 147 permits could be issued, leaving 888 single-family homes with unauthorized garage conversions.
On February 1, 2026, all remaining unpermitted garage-conversion single-family residential homes will be deemed non-conforming structures. A non-conforming structure is any building or structure that does not fully conform to the development standards and regulations set forth in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) Chapter relating to the height, design, location, and/or other physical elements of such building or structure. In this case, the single-family home would be non-compliant with regard to the two enclosed parking spaces requirement by the CZO.
As non-conforming structures and in accordance with Article 6 “Administration”, 6.6 “Nonconformities” of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, building permits for the expansion of non-conforming structures cannot be issued; however, maintenance and repair will be expressly permitted to comply with applicable health and safety regulations or minimum building standards. Should a homeowner desire to enclose the garage or increase the structure in the future through an addition, a 2-car, enclosed garage would be required to be constructed, as the enclosure of a garage without replacing it is prohibited.
DISTRICT:
Citywide
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Presentation