FAQs
Before you revamp your shed to house a car, make sure you’re on the right side of the law. In Virginia, parking a car in a shed is generally allowed as long as the structure meets local building codes and zoning requirements. Here are key legal and safety considerations:
Permits & Zoning: In Virginia, any garage or shed typically requires a building permit, and sometimes a zoning permit as well. Many counties exempt small storage sheds under 256 sq. ft. from complete building permits, but once you plan to park a vehicle (and especially if you add electricity or a larger door), you should check local rules. For example, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Fairfax County all have specific permit processes for sheds and detached garages. Always contact your county’s building department to see if converting your shed to a garage changes its permit status. (For sheds over 256 sq. ft., a building permit is often required in VA.
Site Preparation: Ensure your site is properly prepared for a vehicle. This means a stable, level foundation that can support the weight of a car. A gravel pad or concrete slab base is highly recommended for garage sheds. Not only will this keep the shed level, but it also helps with drainage and anchoring. A well-prepared site is often a requirement for passing inspections and will prolong the life of your structure.
Ventilation & Fire Safety: A shed used as a garage must have adequate ventilation. Car engines emit exhaust fumes (carbon monoxide), so your shed should have vents (gable vents, ridge vents) or windows to allow those fumes to escape. In addition, check fire codes: the Virginia Residential Code classifies private garages and sheds similarly as utility structures, but if you plan to store fuel or run engines inside, you may need fire-rated drywall on walls adjacent to living spaces, self-closing doors, etc. These code requirements ensure safety when a shed is used as a garage (for instance, Section R309 of the VA code treats garages with cars differently than simple storage sheds in some aspects). Always ensure compliance with electrical wiring and fuel storage. You might need an electrical permit for adding wiring or lighting in the shed.
Structural Soundness: Not all sheds are built to support the weight and usage of a car. If your shed is a flimsy DIY structure, it may not be legal or safe to park a 3,000-pound vehicle in it. Prefab sheds from reputable companies are typically built to code; however, you may need to reinforce the floor or framing (we’ll cover this in the steps section). Some localities (like Warren County, VA) explicitly require a permit for any shed used as a residential garage, regardless of size. This is to ensure the structure can handle vehicle use. Check that your shed’s floor load capacity and door header can handle a vehicle; if not, plan upgrades or consider a prefab garage model designed for cars.
Bottom line: Yes, you can legally park a car in a shed if you follow the rules. Get the necessary permits (building, zoning, electrical, as needed), prepare a proper foundation, add ventilation, and make sure the shed is structurally up to the job. When in doubt, consult your local code office or a shed garage specialist. It’s better to spend a little time on paperwork and prep now than to face fines or safety issues later.
(Need help with permits? Check out our guide on shed permit requirements in Virginia for county-by-county rules.
Yes, you can park a car in a shed as long as the shed is large and strong enough. Many people use 1-car-sized sheds (for example, 12×20 or larger) as garages for a single vehicle. The shed needs a door wide enough for the car and a sturdy floor or slab to support the weight. You may have to modify the shed by adding a proper garage door and ramp, and you should ensure it’s ventilated for car exhaust. In short, a shed can double as a garage if it’s built or reinforced for vehicle storage; we call this a garage shed.
A-frame (gable roof) sheds are a top choice, they look like a traditional garage with a peaked roof and have good wall height for garage doors. Barn-style sheds (with gambrel roofs) also work great and even give you a loft space for storage. The key is a style with enough headroom and a design that can accommodate an overhead door. Many people choose an A-frame garage shed to match their house’s roofline. Ultimately, any style that comes in a large enough size (and has the structural support) can be used as a garage.
Absolutely. If you want to use the shed as a garage and a workshop or just keep the temperature more stable, you can insulate it just like any building. Prefab wood sheds are easy to insulate; you can add fiberglass batts or foam board in the walls and ceiling. Many shed garages come with insulated doors, or you can insulate the garage door with aftermarket kits. Insulating a garage shed will benefit you in both winter and summer, especially if you plan to heat it or spend time there. Just remember to also ventilate as needed, even an insulated garage needs air flow if a car is running inside (for safety). If you order a custom garage shed from us, we can discuss adding insulation or prepping it for insulation to make it even more comfortable year-round.
Not every shed will comfortably fit a car. You’ll need a large shed with adequate length, width, and height to serve as a garage. So, what shed dimensions are suitable for parking a vehicle? Generally, popular single-car garage shed sizes range from about 12×18 up to 12×32 (width x length, in feet). The right size depends on your vehicle and storage needs:
Consider Vehicle Length & Width: A typical compact car is 14–15 feet long, mid-size sedans are 16–18 feet, and full-size trucks or SUVs can be 18–20+ feet long. You’ll want a shed length at least a few feet longer than your vehicle, so you can comfortably pull in and shut the door. For many cars, 20 feet deep is the minimum garage depth, which is why 12×20 sheds are often cited as the smallest viable garage shed.
Width Matters for Doors & Doors (the car’s doors): 12 feet in width is the bare minimum for a single-car shed, and it will be tight. You’ll have roughly 1½–2 feet of clearance on each side of the car when centered in a 12-foot-wide shed, which is just enough to open the door carefully. A 9-foot wide garage door typically needs a building around 14’ wide, so many shed garages stick to an 8-foot wide door if the building is only 12’ wide. For more comfort, consider 14’ or 16’ wide sheds if possible. The extra width gives you space to swing car doors open and move around the vehicle. If your shed is narrower, you might be limited to smaller roll-up doors (8’ wide), which can make parking a squeeze.
Common Single-Car Shed Sizes: The most popular sizes for one-car garage sheds include 12×20, 12×24, 14×24, and 16×24. A 12×20 will fit most cars with just a little wiggle room. A 12×24 gives you extra length for a workbench or storage shelves in front of the car. Increasing the size to 14×24 or 16×24 provides more space on the sides for easier access and additional wall storage (for bikes, lawn equipment, etc.). For example, a 14×24 garage shed comfortably allows storage along three walls plus room to walk around. If you have the space, err on the side of bigger is better; very few people regret having extra garage space!
Height & Door Clearance: Also, ensure the shed’s door opening is tall enough and wide enough. A standard garage door is often 7 feet tall. Many prefab sheds have sidewall heights of 7’ or more, which is sufficient for most cars. If you have a lifted truck or plan to install a tall garage door, you might need a shed with 8 walls. Our prefab single-car garages, for instance, feature a sidewall height of7’3″ and can accommodate either an 8×7 or 9×7 overhead door, depending on the shed width.
Visualizing Space: It might be hard to picture your car inside a shed. One tip is to map out the footprint on your driveway using stakes or tape. Measure out, say, 12×24, park your car within that outline, and see how much room you have to move around. This can quickly tell you if you need more space. (You can also check out our shed size guide for general tips on choosing shed dimensions for various needs.
In summary, for a single vehicle, plan on a shed around 12–14 feet wide and 20–24 feet long at minimum. Compact car owners might get away with 12×18, but if you have a mid-size or larger vehicle, 12×20 or 12×24 will be more comfortable. Lengths up to 32’ are great if you want significant extra storage or have an extra-long truck. Remember: you’re not just parking the car, you also may want space for tools, a mower, or walking around without scuffing your bumper! When in doubt, choose a slightly larger size; your future self (and your car doors) will thank you.
(For those with multiple vehicles, a double-wide two-car garage ( 20×20, 24×24, etc.) might be needed. See our guide on 2-car garage sizes if you’re thinking ahead to a two-car solution.)
Generally, something around 12×20 is the smallest practical shed size for most cars. This provides roughly enough room for a standard car, with perhaps a little storage space at the ends. If you have a compact car, you might get away with 18’ deep, but for any midsize or larger vehicle, 20’ or more length is better. Width-wise, 12’ is the minimum (a tight fit), while 14’ or 16’ wide provides much more comfortable side clearance. Popular one-car shed sizes are 12×20, 12×24, 14×24, etc., so you have room to open doors and move around the vehicle. Always consider not just the car’s dimensions, but also some breathing room for you and any other items you want to store.
In most cases, yes, you will need at least a permit or approval. Virginia building code doesn’t differentiate much between sheds and garages; both are considered utility structures. If your shed is small (under 256 sq ft) you might not need a building permit just for the shed itself, but the moment you plan to park a car in it, some localities might treat it as a garage, which could trigger a permit. Additionally, adding features like electricity or enlarging door openings often requires permits. It’s also likely you’ll need to meet zoning rules (setbacks from property lines, etc.). For example, many VA counties require a zoning permit for any shed or detached garage, as well as a building permit if the structure exceeds a specific size. Our advice: check with your local county/city building department and let them know you want to use a shed as a garage. They’ll tell you what’s required. It might be as simple as a zoning sign-off, or you may need a building permit, especially if pouring a concrete slab or running electricity. Complying with permits ensures your garage shed is safe and up to code; a well-worth investment for the peace of mind it provides.