Building a garage can feel like the finishing touch to your home—adding value, convenience, and extra space.
<p style="text-align: justify;">Building a garage can feel like the finishing touch to your homeadding value, convenience, and extra space. But if your garage wasnt built with proper permits or doesnt sit within your propertys legal boundaries, it could become a major liability.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Thats where your Real Property Report (RPR) comes in. Its the only document that provides a clear, legally recognized picture of where your garage sits in relation to your lot lines, bylaws, and easements.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For homeowners in Edmonton, overlooking your RPR could mean fines, delays during a home sale, or even being required to move or demolish your garage.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;">What Is an RPR and Why Does It Matter?</h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The RPR doesnt just show whats on your land. It also reveals if any of those structures, including your garage, encroach onto neighbouring properties, utility rights-of-way, or violate setback requirements.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In Edmonton, an RPR is often required to obtain a compliance certificate from the city. This certificate confirms that your property aligns with local zoning bylaws and municipal regulations. If your garage is built too close to the property lineor worse, over itit could be deemed non-compliant.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Thats a problem that only your <a href="https://coregeomatics.com/residential-land-survey-edmonton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RPR in Edmonton</strong></a> homeowners trust can catch before it becomes a legal or financial headache.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;">The Cost of an Illegal Garage</h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Lets say youve built a garage without checking your RPR or applying for updated compliance. Maybe it seemed like a small project at the time, or maybe it replaced an older structure that you assumed was fine.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Then you decide to sell your home. Your buyer requests an RPR with a current compliance certificate. The city reviews the report and flags your garage as non-compliant. Suddenly, youre looking at potential fines, delayed closing dates, and pressure to fix the issue fastby applying for variances, modifying the structure, or even tearing it down.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This situation is more common than most people think. Many garages in older neighbourhoods were built years ago, often without formal documentation. And with regulations evolving over time, even once-compliant structures can now be out of step with current bylaws.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;">How to Know If Your Garage Is Legal</h2><p style="text-align: justify;">If youre unsure whether your garage is legal, theres a simple way to find out: get your RPR updated. A new RPR in Edmonton will show exactly where your garage sits and how it aligns with local requirements. From there, the city can issue a compliance certificate if everything checks out.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Even if youve owned your property for years, its worth revisiting your RPR if:</p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Youve added or rebuilt a garage.<br><br></li><li>You inherited a property and arent sure of its permitting history.<br><br></li><li>Youre planning to sell your home.<br><br></li><li>You want peace of mind that your property is fully compliant.</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Protect Your Propertyand Your Wallet</h2><p style="text-align: justify;">An up-to-date RPR doesnt just benefit buyersit protects homeowners, too. Knowing your garage (and all other structures) are properly placed and compliant helps prevent disputes, fines, and costly renovations down the line.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Plus, having a valid RPR in Edmonton can verify gives you a stronger position in real estate transactions, development planning, or insurance assessments.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">A garage is a great addition to any home, but only if its legal. Before you assume everything is in the clear, take the time to review your Real Property Report. Its the only way to be sure your garage is where it should beand that your investment is protected.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">When it comes to property boundaries, compliance, and peace of mind, your RPR is more than just a piece of paper. Its your best defense against future surprises.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For more information about <a href="https://coregeomatics.com/residential-land-survey-regina/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Residential Land Survey Regina</strong></a> and <a href="https://coregeomatics.com/residential-land-survey-saskatoon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Survey Services Saskatoon</strong></a> Please visit: CORE Geomatics.</p>
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