Is a side-entry garage a good option for narrow lots in Moncton NB?

A side-entry garage is often an excellent solution for narrow lots in Moncton, particularly in older neighbourhoods like the North End, downtown area, and parts of Riverview where lot widths of 40 to 50 feet make a front-facing double garage impractical or visually overwhelming. By turning the garage 90 degrees so the overhead door faces the side yard rather than the street, you preserve curb appeal and can often fit a two-car garage on a lot that would only accommodate a single front-entry bay.

The primary advantage of a side-entry design on a narrow Moncton lot is that the garage door does not dominate the front facade. On a 45-foot-wide lot, a front-facing 16-foot double garage door would consume over a third of the home's visible width — the house becomes "a garage with a home attached." A side-entry garage presents a finished wall with windows and siding to the street, while the overhead door faces the side yard. This creates a more attractive streetscape and gives you design flexibility for the home's front elevation.

The challenge with side-entry garages is the driveway configuration. You need enough depth on the lot to run a driveway alongside the house and then turn 90 degrees into the garage. This requires a minimum of 24 to 28 feet of clear space in front of the garage door for a comfortable turning radius — tighter turns are possible but make daily parking stressful, especially in winter when snow narrows the driveway. On most Moncton lots with 90 to 120 feet of depth, there is usually enough room, but you need to account for the house footprint, rear yard setbacks, and any existing structures. A curved or angled driveway that sweeps from the street along the side of the house to the garage door works well and feels natural.

Setback requirements in Moncton influence whether a side-entry garage is feasible on your specific lot. The City of Moncton's zoning bylaw specifies minimum side yard setbacks — typically 4 to 6 feet for residential zones — and the driveway must stay within your property lines. If your lot is narrow and the side setback consumes much of the available width, the turning radius into a side-entry garage may not work. Check with Moncton's planning department before committing to a side-entry design, as they can review your specific lot dimensions and zoning requirements.

Winter considerations are particularly relevant in Moncton. A side-entry driveway is longer than a straight front-entry approach, which means more snow to clear. The 90-degree turn into the garage can also accumulate drifting snow and become icy in NB's freeze-thaw cycles. Consider these factors when planning your driveway: slope the driveway surface for drainage so meltwater does not pool and refreeze at the turn, install heated driveway mats or radiant heating at the turning area if your budget allows, and ensure your snow removal plan — whether a snowblower, plow service, or shovelling — can handle the L-shaped or curved driveway layout. The additional driveway surface also adds to construction costs — a longer asphalt or concrete driveway in Moncton typically costs $8 to $15 per square foot for asphalt or $12 to $20 per square foot for concrete.

The garage itself should be sized generously if the side-entry layout allows it. Because the garage depth runs parallel to the street on a narrow lot, you often have more room in the depth direction than you would with a front-entry configuration. A 24-foot by 28-foot or 24-foot by 30-foot side-entry garage gives you comfortable vehicle storage plus workshop or storage space at the back, and the longer dimension uses lot depth rather than lot width. Include a service door on the rear or side wall for pedestrian access without opening the overhead door — especially valuable in winter.

A side-entry garage on a narrow Moncton lot requires careful site planning to ensure the driveway geometry works, setbacks are met, and the foundation is properly designed for NB's 4 to 5 foot frost depth. An experienced local builder can evaluate your lot and determine whether a side-entry layout is feasible. Need help finding a professional garage builder? New Brunswick Garages can match you for free.