Black Cedar Garage Apartment with 3-Car
Launch offer: 20% off through September 10 with code LAUNCH20.
A 3-car garage on the ground floor, a full two-bedroom apartment above it. These 3 car garage apartment plans put 853 sqft of garage and workshop under 774 sqft of finished living space — two bedrooms, a full kitchen, a bathroom, and laundry. One foundation, one roof, two completely separate uses. It works as a rental unit, an ADU for family, a vacation place, or the first building you put on a property while the main house comes later.
The ground floor garage level totals 853 sqft. The garage bays run 33'-9" wide by 22'-3" deep with 10'-1" ceilings and 24 feet of garage door — a 16' × 8' double bay plus an 8' × 8' single bay. The plan draws two vehicles under the double door and labels the third bay as a workshop, so you can use it either way: park three cars, or park two and keep a dedicated shop with a workbench and full-height storage.
A utility room runs along the back wall for the water heater, panel, and mechanicals. The slab slopes 2% to drain. A 5/8" Type X gypsum fire separation wall and ceiling divide the garage from the apartment above, and there are two exterior doors — one at the garage and one on the opposite side — so the apartment has its own entrance and a second means of egress.
The second floor is 774 sqft — a complete home, not a loft. The living, dining, and kitchen area sits under a 14'-9" cathedral ceiling with a 12-foot window across the gable end. The kitchen is a 13'-11" galley run with a cooktop and built-in oven, hood, dishwasher, undermount sink, full-height refrigerator, and eighteen cabinet units.
Two bedrooms sit at the far end, away from the stairs. Bedroom 1 is 13'-5" × 10'-3" and Bedroom 2 is 13'-5" × 10'; each has a bi-fold closet and its own ductless minisplit. The bathroom has a tiled walk-in shower and a vanity. A stacked washer-dryer is built into the end of the kitchen run. Compared to most garage apartment floor plans, the second bedroom is what makes this liveable long-term rather than just a guest space.
This plan is part of the Wood Series. Walls are R-33: vertical wood siding over a 1½" vented rainscreen, 2½" of continuous exterior insulation, plywood sheathing, and a 5½" stud cavity with cellulose. The roof is R-60 under prefabricated wood trusses at an 8:12 pitch, finished in black standing seam metal with snow guards, ice and water shield, a vented ridge, and gutters.
Heating and cooling come from two ductless minisplits plus a wood stove and chimney. The foundation is a monolithic slab on grade. Interconnected smoke, carbon monoxide, and heat detectors are shown throughout. The roof plan indicates a location for future solar panels.
Homeowners who need garage space anyway and want a rental or family unit out of the same foundation. Buyers comparing 3 car garage plans, garage apartment plans, or ADU house plans who want three bays plus a two-bedroom apartment good enough to live in full-time. It also suits anyone planning a 3 car garage with apartment on top as the first phase of a longer build.
For a smaller version of the same idea, the 1 bedroom garage apartment with a 2-car garage is a 572 sqft unit over two bays and has been built by a customer. For more space, the Dynamic Garage Apartment totals 2,074 sqft. If the unit doesn't need to sit over a garage, see the 512 sqft Micro Steel Cabin ADU, the ADA-accessible Modern Granny Pod, or the Twin Barndominium with ADU.
An 853 sqft three-bay garage level with a utility room on the ground floor, and a 774 sqft two-bedroom apartment above with an open living and dining area, a full galley kitchen, a bathroom with a walk-in shower, laundry, and two bedrooms with closets.
Yes. The garage is 22'-3" deep with 24 feet of garage door — a 16' double bay and an 8' single bay. The plan labels the single bay as a workshop, since that is how many owners use it, but it is a full-size bay and a third vehicle fits.
That is one of the most common uses for this plan. Because it has a full kitchen, bathroom, and laundry, it can be permitted and occupied on its own, giving you a place to live on site and secure storage during construction. Confirm with your local building department that your jurisdiction allows an accessory structure to be occupied before the primary residence is built.
Yes. With its own entrance, two bedrooms, a full kitchen, a bathroom, and laundry, it works as an accessory dwelling unit, a rental unit, a multigenerational suite, or a home office. Check your local ADU ordinance for setbacks, parking, and owner-occupancy rules.
29'-9" to the top of the roof ridge, on a 34'-8" × 27'-3½" footprint. The garage has 10'-1" ceilings, and the apartment ranges from 8'-1" at the walls to 14'-9" at the cathedral ridge.
Yes. Walls are R-33 with continuous exterior insulation over a vented rainscreen, and the roof is R-60. Heating and cooling come from two ductless minisplits plus a wood stove with a chimney.
The plans are designed to comply with the International Residential Code (IRC). Local codes vary, so your building department may require modifications, and the plans are not stamped by a licensed architect or engineer. If your jurisdiction requires a stamp, a local professional will need to review and seal them.
The Study Plans Package is a preliminary set for reviewing the design, sharing with family, and getting early build estimates. The Building Plans Package is the full construction set your builder uses to permit and build.
Generally, our customers receive quotes in line with local average construction costs, ranging between $250 - $600 per sqft, depending on location, finishes, and site conditions. For a more accurate and detailed estimate, we recommend purchasing the study set and sharing it with your preferred builder.
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See the Study Plans Detailed - Click Here
The Study Plans Includes:
• 9 - 15 sheets of Digital PDF Format Drawings
• Floorplans
• Exterior Elevations
• Building Sections
• Kitchen and Bathroom elevations
• Kitchen Cabinet chart
• Wall details with materials
* Easy upgrade. We will deduct the study set payment when you purchase the building plans.
Designed to help you take the first step toward building your green home, the drawing pack contains everything you need to make informed choices about your home. The drawing pack comes in a digital PDF file and includes 15 sheets of architectural drawings with detailed dimensions. This set can be used to get an exact cost estimate and inquire about the local permit process.
Note * The study set does not grant a license to the user to build the house using these plans. It is intended as a general inquiry and guide.
See the Building Plans Detailed - Click Here
The Building Plans Package Includes:
• 17 - 30 sheets of Digital PDF Format Drawings + CAD and 3D Files
• Wall types with materials
• Floor plan
• Roof Plan
• Foundation Plan
• Truss Plan
• Deck Framing Plan
• Exterior Elevations
• Building Sections
• Wall Details and Eaves Details
• Windows and Doors Schedule
• All Interior Elevations
• Cabinet Schedule
• HVAC and Faucet Plumbing Plan
• Duct Plan
• Electrical Plan
• Foundations details
When it comes to building your dream home, there is one thing that should always be on the agenda: obtaining a set of quality drawings. Our package includes details and CAD and 3D files to collaborate with your local designer, engineer, specialty consultants, and builder. Our design team also offers design edits in-house if needed.
The blueprint package includes 26 sheets of drawings and information! With our blueprint package, you can get bids from contractors, have your plans prepared and stamped by a local engineer, and apply for a building permit with your local code enforcement office. Our package lets you break ground as soon as possible, streamlining the building process and turning your dream home into a reality.
All orders are delivered digitally and automatically upon purchase. You will receive a download link directly to your email inbox within minutes of completing your order.
If you haven't received your download link within 24 hours, please contact us at hello@designwithfrank.com and we'll be happy to help.
No Physical Copies
All plan sets are digital files only — no physical prints are shipped. Files are formatted to standard architectural paper sizes and can be printed at any local print shop, Staples, or FedEx Office location.
Due to the nature of digital products, all sales are final. We do not offer returns or refunds on downloaded files.
However, we understand that projects don't always move forward — zoning restrictions, permitting issues, or other unforeseen circumstances can arise. In rare cases, we may offer a store credit or partial refund at our discretion. To request a review, please contact us at hello@designwithfrank.com within 30 days of purchase with a brief explanation of your situation.
All refund requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.
Need to make changes and adapt the plans to your site and vision?
Our professional design team can provide customization services for our existing floorplans. We also provide comprehensive residential design service from design to build. We will provide a free price quote within 1 to 3 business days.
9–15 sheets of digital PDF drawings
Use it to get an exact cost estimate and to open the permit conversation with your local office. We deduct what you pay for the study set when you upgrade to the building plans.
The study set does not grant a licence to build. It is intended as a general inquiry and guide.
17–30 sheets of digital PDF drawings, plus CAD and 3D files
Everything your builder, engineer and consultants need to price the job, stamp the drawings and apply for your building permit.
Our blueprint package includes CAD and 3D model files, allowing you to work with a local designer to customize the floor plan according to your preferences and site conditions.
Additionally, we have an in-house design team that can provide minor design customization services. To request customization, please submit your requirements via this link, and we will respond with a quote and estimated time frame.
Yes, the exterior materials can be adjusted according to your preferences in consultation with your local builder. Our drawings focus on the dimensions of the building, allowing for flexibility to change exterior materials and accommodate different thicknesses.
The study set is intended for early-stage planning, such as obtaining quotes, searching for land, and consulting with local builders and permitting authorities. However, the study set cannot be used for actual construction, and we do not grant a license to build our designs with a study set.
The building plans, on the other hand, is designed for obtaining detailed cost estimates, building permits, and actual construction. It includes comprehensive building details and a material list, simplifying the building process and permitting procedures. The building plans package comes with a single building license.
Our designs adhere to the International Residential Code (IRC) standards at a federal level. We have optimized our homes for insulation appropriate for a wide range of climates. While our customers have secured building permits in over 21 states, local county specifications can differ. We advise consulting with your local building department to ensure all requirements specific to your area are met.
You are granted a single-use building license when you purchase a blueprint package. This license permits you to build one home using the provided plans. Please note that the plans are copyrighted, and any unauthorized reproduction, modification, or reuse is prohibited.
As for stamps, our plans are not pre-stamped by an engineer or architect. This is because local requirements vary, and you may need to have the plans reviewed and stamped by a licensed professional in your jurisdiction. It is essential to consult your local building department to determine if a stamp is required and to ensure the plans comply with local regulations.
