Such a charming house! If it were me, I’d try to get thru a season on the water without making any plans and see how you use the house, lot etc - you may find you need more storage than thought

FWIW we’re building at a lake and find folks up there take garages VERY seriously and are def more about practicality of storage than aesthetics, especially street side (I mentioned wanting a smaller garage to our doll of a builder and he about fell over in shock & horror) - we ended up with a detached carriage style garage that sits perpendicular to the main home so the doors don’t face the street etc.. honestly more obtrusive than I wanted but it is what it is

Is this an actual garage he wants or just storage? Storage can be smaller than a garage but all depends on what needs storing.. I would need more info but needs have to be met for sure .I see a shed in the plot map looks really tiny any chance that could be bigger ?

Is there any way to access the property from the rear? Could you possibly get an easement?

Garage or just storage? I would prefer it in the back yard but your idea of a carriage house running along the right side of the property line would also work so it leaves your back yard for enjoyment.

What is the small building just on the left side of the photo almost out for frame? Is that a shes? Can it be made a bit bigger to store what you want? The cottage is adorable.

Thank you for your input. To answer everyone’s questions- primary residence, and he wants to put a car in it (among other things). The tiny spot on the left is a shed and my plan was to make it larger and match the house. He doesn’t like my plan 😂 Unfortunately because of the septic and slope of the rear yard there aren’t any viable options for the back yard and the property boundaries wouldn’t be conducive to an easement any where.

He will need to work on this with an easement and if not possible a bigger shed is all he will have unless he does not care that the house will disappear on the left

Maybe a car port with a shed out back.

It really seems like you bought a property that doesnt work for your family.

Check with your local township/city etc about a possible garage add-on as it may not even be possible. You said some of the neighbours have put in a garage. IF yes this is a good indication of where it was allowed. Since you are on contract to buy I would do this in a hurry because if you are not able to you should try to get out of the contract as soon as possible.

I have to agree if not bought run away if this is a huge need . I will say we just loved to a place in Alberta where winters are nasty we have space for a garage but we never have had one and I don't want to add a huge thing that I need for 3 months out of the year . We have 2 sheds that hold all the stuff we need stored they take up little space nice and close to the house and my car just has to brave for the winter a little scraping maybe .I want more yard space than garage

With the buildings up to the easements and the only place for a garage is the front yard; the Question becomes, is there room for any size building in front of the house? Will City regulations permit a large building in the front yard? Regardless of how strongly the city enforces their regulations, a violation will make it hard to get a clear title when you sell if there are zoning violations. What about the HOA rules?

Agree with those who say that, if a garage is a neccesity, this is probably the wrong property for you. There may not be enough time, but maybe you can find a local architect who could quickly put together a plan and sketch of what it might look like.

Thanks all, we are not concerned that this is the wrong property and will be able to make it work regardless. The trade offs of being waterfront are worth it to us! Thank you for your feedback though.

So you can't make the shed larger and create a garage from it - huh?

The well head is on the left side and the power lines so it would need to be relocated to the right side. And I’m having a hard time visualizing what that could look like. Chat gpt has given me a few ideas but it wasn’t quite what I was hoping for.

Any kind of way to create a breezeway and keeping the utilities where they are(work around them).

Check with your local municipality about this. Knowing a zoning setback is good. But if you don't know why some other properties have garages... find out what the rules are. Find out if that property is able to be built or not. A garage might need to have permits pulled, and find that out while you are there.

So the lot on the right is empty then buy that and do a huge garage . Sorry no understanding what ig going on since you are going to buy anyway then deal with it through the town

" The well head is on the left side " If this is truly the well, it can only be moved by re-drilling it. (a lot of money) Probably the same with city utilities.

Move the front deck to the left side and put the garage on the right. It will still block a large part of the front of the house.