Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Platform for dining room expansion

My garage is directly off of my kitchen. I want to expand from my kitchen into the garage to make a dining room. I have a 1.5 car garage and plan to use half of it.
There are two steps from my kitchen down to my garage. I want to make it so that you have to step down one step into the dining room.
My question is, how do I build this. It's not directly off the ground so I can't just make a platform w/ 2x4's.
So, what do I do.
Do I do it like a regular deck. Use posts for columns and attach it two the house w/ ledger boards(i think that is the correct term)?
What is the best way to do this?
thanks

Depending on the height needed you can set your floor framing on cinder blocks or wood. The framing should be secured to the floor and house but since it is inside and won't get any weather you don't have to overly secure it. For the most part the structures own weight will keep it in place. Make sure you use PT wood anywhere that it will be in contact with masonary.

Ceiling height is one issue. Make sure you have at least 7'-6".

Will you local code allow you to eliminate 1/2 of your garage? (You'll find out when you pull, or try to pull the permit for the conversion.)

The remaining portion of the garage is still a garage -- You need a code approved fire wall between that (unclassified space) and your dining room (living space).

Make sure you get enough outlets in the dining room. At least one on every wall, and no more than 12' between any of them.

the joists that go across my garage are even w/ the rest of my house so there about ten feet high from the floor, and about eight feet higher than the kitchen floor.
I didn't know you needed a permit to convert part of you garage. Isn't it just putting up a wall. Is it because its not currently livable space?
What material is necessary to build a fire wall?
Also about the outlets, is that code or just conveinence?
thanks

If the garage has a 10 ft. ceiling, then ceiling height isn't going to be an issue.

You better believe you'll need a permit! You are converting 'unclassified' space to 'living' space. You may or may not be able to alter your garage so that a car can't be parked in it. The outlets are code -- NOT just a conveinence issue. Adding a wall is structural. The firewall has a lot of requirements. Basically 5/8" sheetrock on the garage side from the floor to the roof sheathing -- or to a 5/8" sheetrock garage ceiling -- any outlets on the garage side have to have metal boxes (not plastic), the 'rock on the garage side has to be taped, any doors in that wall have to be fire rated and self-closing, ...

Codes vary greatly from place to place. Here in Tn they aren't that strict. They should be able to tell you at the permit office what is required. A phone call to the inspector can also supply you with some answers.

marksr,

True enough. Codes DO vary from place to place. And the enforcement of the codes will vary as well.

sandonn,

Treat your bldg. dept. as a RESOURCE, not an enemy. Call them. Talk to them. They'll tell you what you need and what you need to do.

What I have mentioned so far is a combination of conveinence (the outlets and ceiling height) and safety (the fire wall).