11 LAFAYETTE STREET ST. MARYS PENNSYLVANIA 15857
PHONE (814) 781-1718 www.stmaryspa.gov FAX (814) 834-1304
City of St. Marys, PA
Code Enforcement Department
Residential Garage/Accessory Structure Requirements
These guidelines & cross section are designed to assist you with your residential
garage, pole building or accessory structure plans. Please include as much information
as possible to speed up the plan review & building permit process. Attached building
cross section is to help show most information but cannot be accepted as your only
plan. If you are unsure of a code requirement please ask.
The following items, views and details should appear on your plans & cross section:
1. Views of all sides of the building showing doors, windows etc. (Also indicate final
grade)
2. Floor plan; labeling all rooms/spaces & dimensions.
3. Show footer depth, width & thickness. If pole building show post footers.
4. Indicate foundation wall construction. (ex. 8” concrete block, poured wall etc.)
5. Concrete floor: Minimum thickness 3-1/2”; 3,500 psi. concrete
6. Treated sill plate with ½” diameter x 7” long anchor bolts spaced 4’ on center and
within 12” of corners.
7. Exterior wall framing type, size & spacing on center.
8. Beam & header locations, type, sizes & support.
9. Exterior wall covering materials. (ex. ½” OSB, House wrap, vinyl siding)
10. Roof framing; Trusses or stick-framed sizes & on center spacing.
11. Roof covering materials. (ex. 5/8” plywood w/ H-clips, ice & water shield, 30# felt
paper, asphalt shingles)
12. If building is attached to a dwelling unit you must have fire separation: ½” gypsum
wallboard applied to the garage side. 5/8” gypsum wallboard applied to the garage
ceiling if garage has living space above. Doors between a garage & dwelling unit must
be 1-3/8” solid wood, steel or 20 minute fire-rated.
13. If garage is heated, indicate R-value of insulation used in foundation, walls & ceiling.
14. Also include any information on electrical, plumbing or mechanical systems (when
applicable).
