The legality of garage conversions

I’ve always believed that The Times Real Estate section is firmly in favor of existing laws, zoning/building codes and protecting our environment. Yet Pardon Our Dust, Nov. 6, touts the advantages of turning a garage into a family room. Garages are mandated in homes for a reason: to keep at least two residents’ cars out of driveways, off streets and away from the front of neighbors’ homes. Converting garages into family rooms, offices, extra bedrooms and/or storage facilities is illegal in most cities and should remain that way.

JIM HARRIGAN

Redondo Beach

Editor’s note: In accordance with the laws in Whittier, the homeowners built a new 24-foot-by-31-foot detached garage and workshop before converting their original garage.

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