Round Rock residents who own homes built prior to 2002 will soon be able to convert their garage to additional living space after City Council approved an ordinance Jan. 28. Round Rock Planning Director Brad Wiseman said a garage conversion can be an economical way for residents to add living space without buying a larger house. He said the conversions have occurred illegally throughout the years, and changing the ordinance would allow the city to oversee the conversions for safety. Wiseman said the ordinance is narrowly written to prohibit attached but separate living spaces that could crowd a neighborhood. The permit does not allow a door in a living area that had been converted from the garage. He said most of the surrounding cities—including Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, and Georgetown—allow garage conversions in some form. He said Austin goes the furthest by allowing garages to be turned into separate dwelling units. He said only Pflugerville effectively outright bans the conversions.