Converting a Garage into Livable Space in Texas: What You Need to Know
- Amanda Allen
- May 22
- 4 min read
Converting a garage into livable space in Texas can be a smart way to increase the usable square footage of your home, but it involves more than cosmetic upgrades. One of the most critical steps is raising the garage floor to meet residential building code standards. This isn't just about aesthetics—it ensures the elevation, insulation, and safety of the space align with the rest of the house. Most garages are constructed lower than the main living area and often include a sloped concrete slab designed for water drainage. To transform this area into legal, habitable square footage, the floor must typically be leveled and raised.
The flooring itself must also be upgraded from bare concrete to a material suitable for residential use, such as hardwood, tile, or carpet. These upgrades are essential not only for livability but also for compliance. Without them, the converted area may not qualify as official square footage in the eyes of appraisers, tax assessors, or future buyers, which can limit the financial return on your investment.
There are several other code requirements must be addressed to ensure the space is legally recognized as living area. Obtaining the proper permits through your city’s building department is a necessary first step. The walls and ceilings must also be insulated to meet current residential energy codes. Heating and cooling systems must be installed to maintain a comfortable and climate-controlled environment—this can be done by extending the home’s existing HVAC system or adding a standalone unit. Electrical systems often need to be updated, including adding new outlets and ensuring the home’s breaker panel can handle the additional demand.
Another major step is modifying or replacing the garage door. In most cases, the door must be removed and replaced with a finished wall that matches the exterior of the home, preserving both aesthetics and insulation integrity. The space will also need sufficient natural light and emergency egress, which means adding or enlarging windows or installing an exterior door that meets fire safety codes.
It’s also important to consider local zoning rules, which can vary significantly between cities. For example, in Garland, Texas, homeowners are required to maintain the same number of covered parking spaces. This means that if you convert your garage, you must construct a new garage or carport elsewhere on the property to stay in compliance. For instance, if your property currently has a two-car garage, you must construct a new two-car garage before converting the existing one. This ensures compliance with local zoning ordinances. For more details, refer to the City of Garland's official guidelines: https://www.garlandtx.gov/3164/Garage-Conversion?
In North Richland Hills, garage conversions are generally prohibited unless you’re able to provide the required parking elsewhere. These ordinances exist to maintain neighborhood standards and ensure that off-street parking remains available. According to the city's zoning ordinance, a home must provide at least two 9' x 18' covered and enclosed parking spaces behind the front building line. As such, this requirement cannot be met when the garage is converted into a living space. Occasionally, if a property has enough room to build a replacement garage behind the front building line without encroaching on other required side and rear building setbacks, it may be possible to convert an existing attached garage with the proper construction permits. For more information, consult the North Richland Hills FAQ: https://www.nrhtx.com/FAQ.aspx?QID=299&utm
Converting a garage the right way—meaning fully up to code—offers several strong benefits. One of the most impactful is that it adds legitimate, livable square footage to your home. When you elevate the floor, insulate properly, and meet all local building codes, the converted space can be included in your home’s official square footage, which boosts the appraised value. It also expands your usable living area without the need for a costly home addition. Many homeowners find this especially helpful when creating a home office, guest room, gym, or playroom.
Additionally, if you build a replacement garage or carport elsewhere on the property, you retain the benefits of covered parking while gaining extra functional space—something that can significantly improve your home’s resale value.
There are downsides to consider, especially if the conversion isn’t done correctly. If the garage is simply dressed up with paint and furniture without structural modifications, it won’t be recognized as true living space. That means it won’t count toward your home’s square footage in appraisals or tax assessments—essentially adding no real value. Another major drawback is the loss of covered parking.
In Texas, where heat and weather are real factors, buyers often expect a garage or at least a carport. Homes without covered parking can be harder to sell and may attract lower offers. Many Texas cities—just like Garland and North Richland Hills—will require homeowners to replace any lost garage space by constructing a new one elsewhere on the property. While this might feel like a hassle, from a real estate perspective, it’s a smart safeguard. It maintains neighborhood standards and helps preserve long-term property value.
I’ve seen 100% of buyers walk into a home with a garage conversion that wasn’t done properly and immediately insist it be converted back into a garage—with all the fluff removed. In several cases, this condition has even been written into the contract offers, and others have simply been turned off by it.
Because of the complexity involved—both in terms of construction and local code compliance—it’s always wise to check with your local building department before starting a garage conversion. If you’re unsure where to begin, need help navigating the permitting process, or want referrals to trusted contractors in your area, I’d be happy to assist. A properly executed garage conversion can add real value and functionality to your home—but only if it’s done right, from the foundation up.
Amanda Allen, Realtor
📱 903-603-0648
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